Funny

A friend emailed me a packet of "quiet time" studies for moms.  (A "quiet time" is time spent usually alone with God, praying and reading scriptures.)
Yesterday's study was this--
Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Part of reflecting on this was to remember at least 3 funny things that have happened since the baby was born.
I keep remembering funny things or new funny things keep popping up, such as..
(1) Lukas grunting all night and it doesn't sound human!
(2) I had a dream one night that I was breastfeeding Lukas in bed and I tapped Ryuta to ask him to burp him.  Ryuta turned to get the baby and he wasn't there!  We were both like, "Where's the baby?!" I told him, "oh sorry. I was just dreaming!"
(3) Kai came home from school and I changed his diaper during his "quiet time."  I was very surprised to see a BABY diaper on my 2 year-old.
(4) Lukas actually latching onto Ryuta's nipple.  Satisfied now, sweetie?!
Oh, good times.

Pinterest

An addictive way to waste a few hours, but also get some great ideas for parties, recipes, fashion, & design.  Pinterest. 
I found some really cute ideas for photos of our new family, pregnancy pics & newborn pics.
We got some good results, but also a few Pinterest FAILS!!!
For example...

the PINTEREST INTENT

PINTEREST FAIL!! (Kai: "Ahhhh!! Noooo kissssesss!!!")

the PINTEREST INTENT

PINTEREST FAIL!!! (Kai is like, "Dude.  I am surrounded by weirdos.")

Our kids are weird. So, you KNOW they are OURS!

Weirdness runs in our bloodline.  Sometimes it is quirky and cute or endearing and funny and other times, just plain annoying.  But, I wanted to record some of these current little quirks of our boys at the moment.  I thought it would be a good laugh 20 years later when we look back at this and remember (I'm hoping these will be passing memories!)

Kai-kai



Big Brother Kai お兄ちゃん

   Kai has inherited the OCD gene from my mom (and me.)  I hear though that sometimes it is just a developmental thing in toddlers (please God!)  Kai's obsession of the moment is making walls.  When I peak my head into his room during his "quiet time," there is a blockade of random objects in front of the door like pillows, blankets, toys, his plush chair, his push train.  He has strewn some of his clothes about the room and rolled up and piled up his rug and blankets.  Usually, I'll catch him in the middle of some sort of song and dance which involves waving about a pretend "parachute."  I can only laugh when he freezes like he got caught.  I have this image in my mind of opening the door to him standing on his blue chair holding a pretend parachute and freezing mid-song as I stare at him.  On long, tiring days, the impending clean up looms at the end of the hour.  Kai likes to build walls wherever he is using whatever objects are available.  For example, he will pile pillows or toys around him when he plays on the ground.  I sometimes wonder if I need to be alarmed by this.  Does the wall make him feel safe?  Is he trying to keep us out?  Or is he just being a kid with an imagination?  Although if you destroy his wall or clean it up, he gets REALLY mad.  It is cute though when he lets you "in" and opens a "gate."  During storytime at night, he will make a wall from the wall to the sofa and will even use our legs as part of the "wall."  If our body moves and creates an opening, he will come and check and move our leg or arm back to close up the gap in the wall.  Another interest of Kai is CIRCLES or まる。In the family room, he enjoys throwing his ABC or number or hiragana or tako cards around the room and then making circle designs with them on the rug.  It is oh-so-cute and oh-so-maddening at the same time.



"Look at my wall and my parachute house!"

 Kai's long-term love is the parachute.  He had been going to Gymboree classes since he was 10 months-old and we just stopped his classes this month.  I wonder how long this will last, but almost daily he wants to play parachute and sing songs.  Again, this is oh-so-cute and oh-so-maddening.  If there is no real parachute around, he will take ANYTHING and make a parachute out of it, such as a napkin, a book, a blanket, a piece of paper, ANYTHING flat and can be waved about.  I love thinking about Halloween costumes and told myself that if Kai still had parachute love by October, I'd make him into "Parachute Man" for Halloween.  Lukas could be Gymbo the clown.  I could be Teacher Beth.  With this parachute love, it has expanded into the "parachute house" obsession.  Kai has been building forts and tents using the parachute and parachute-like objects.  A few nights, this was our conversation before bed:
Mommy: Kai, you have two choices.  One, read a book.  Two, go to bed.
Kai: Three, go in my parachute house.



the "parachute house"

 Ryuta went to IKEA and got Kai a circus tent for his room, very "parachute house-ish."  Kai loves it, but still prefers to sleep on the floor with his blankets.  Other parachute activities has been marching about the house with Tutu with the parachute or Auntie Nadia came over the other day and they were a parachute "dragon" scaring people.

Lukas

Lukas, aka "Animal"/"Little Animal", "Machine"/"Eating Machine"

So, Lukas is still just a newborn baby, but for the sake of not feeling left out, he's weird, too.  I have vague memories of Kai grunting alot, but Lukas grunts and growls EXCESSIVELY at all hours of the day.  The kid spends every other hour wanting to eat, wanting to be held, burping, farting REALLY LOUD (he is one gassy little guy), pooing, peeing, and GRUNTING LOUDLY.  But, I have to say.  Our kids make up for some of their bothersome quirks with their extreme cuteness.  We know they are ours and we love 'em!

Brothers



Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

 When I first told Kai that he was going to be a big brother, his response wasn't the one I was hoping for.  I read to him one of his Shimajiro the tiger books.  In the story, Shimajiro's mom was pregnant and Shimajiro was talking to her belly and was so excited for his baby sister to come out and play with him.  After the story was done, I pointed to my belly and told Kai, "Look at mommy's tummy.  There is a baby in there, too."  Kai looked quickly away and screamed, "NO!"
Since then, we have included Lukas in our bedtime prayers that Kai and Lukas would love each other a lot and be the best of friends.  I have continued to pray for the brothers that they would have an affection for each other, that they would LIKE each other, be interested in one another, take care of each other, be positive influences on one another, be great friends.  I fear them being envious or competitive and hope that they will have a great relationship.  We have read different stories with Kai like Berenstein Bears' New Baby, Little Critter Just Me & My Little Brother, and Best Ever Big Brother.  Kai has really enjoyed the books and when I talked to him about life with his little brother, we'd talk about how Kai can teach his brother all sorts of things like ABCs and hiragana, how he can sing to his brother and teach him about the parachute, how when brother gets older they can sleep in a bunk bed.
When Lukas was born and Kai first met him in the hospital, I had listened to different sensible advice.  We bought a gift for Kai from his brother (Cars 2, Kai's latest obsession.)  When Kai first came into the room, we wanted Kai to come to us first and then we'd bring him to his brother rather than him walking in on us holding Lukas and Kai feeling replaced.  Kai had fallen asleep on the way to the hospital.  When he woke up he was grumpy and didn't care about his gift.  He didn't want to see his brother.  When we got home, he only loved the attention of visitors because they were extra playmates.  As long as Kai has someone who will play with him, he is happy.  I think he is waiting for Lukas to get bigger.  It has been very helpful to me to have Ryuta home and Ryuta has been keeping Kai entertained and taken care of.  I'm a little nervous about how things will go when he returns to work.
We took some family pictures yesterday.  Kai briefly kissed Lukas's head and we were able to get him to lie/sit down with the help of Mickey Mouse on my i-touch.

A new addition to the clan

Wow. So, I haven't updated this blog since announcing that I was pregnant. Well, NOW the news is that he is HERE! 
Lukas Kei Sanui was born at 7:11 PM on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 weighing 6 lbs 9 oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches.


our newest cutie pie in the house

 I guess I should backtrack since I have not updated at all during my whole pregnancy..I'll try to summarize the best I can.  This pregnancy, like with Kai, was not difficult at all.  I had cravings for chinese dim sum, frozen grapes, McDonald's ice cream cones, donuts, boba, chocolate, cookies.  I was gaseous for about half the time and would have gas attacks where I'd belch and burp every few seconds for an hour.  It was just slightly annoying and gross, too.  I tried my best to enjoy being pregnant and took lots of prego pics, did as much as I could with Kai for the memories of "just us", rested, talked and prayed a lot with friends about my fears about labor and having more kids.  Everything ran very smoothly until the last month.  I had an ultrasound that said that I had low fluid levels.  From there, I was coming into the doctor's 3 times a week for an appointment, an ultrasounds, and 2 NST tests.  It seems like my placenta has issues at the end of pregnancy.  Kai did not grow at the end and was induced at 38 weeks.  Lukas was a trooper and grew and was very healthy all the way through, but the doctor felt it was best to induce anyways at 39 weeks.  My fluid levels remained on the low side and she said it was better not to wait.  I had some time to be prepared for induction and to anticipate it this time.  I tried to induce myself for 2 weeks by going for long walks, eating spicy food and pineapple, getting massages at the chiropractor.  (Although I only wanted to do the "fun" stuff!)  But, none of it worked.  So, at about 39 weeks, I went into the hospital late Friday night for induction. 



10 weeks.  I love how silly and cute Kai looks!



28 weeks.  Popping!



32 weeks.  Kai is giving his little brother a high-5. :)



36 weeks. Mother's Day. Feeling awesome.  Daddy is already pooped & the day has just begun. LOL 



Week 1 of our new life with 2 boys!



Overall, it was a super positive experience going through labor and being in the hospital.  Ryuta's chances just went way up to have more kids!  It was a night and day difference from my memories of Kai being born.  This time, the cervadil did not work at all, but I didn't care.  I was so grateful to SLEEP that night in the hospital.  In the morning, I was still only 1 cm dilated and they gave me another drug that took 4 hours to dilate me.  The contractions started to pick up and my mom helped me with my breathing.  My mom is such an awesome labor coach.  She relaxed me with massages and focused me on my breathing.  Thanks so much, mom!  After that, it was pitocin time!  I started to get a little scared at this point because I didn't want to feel any intense, sudden, sharp pains.   I was scared of feeling them break my water.  I was scared of how much more it would hurt everytime they would check my cervix.  But thank God.  The lovely anesthesiologist came to my rescue with my epidural.  That part was actually really scary, too.  I get really queesy and I'm a big weeny when it comes to needles.  The nurses were so wonderful and hugged me and held me and gave me lots of encouragement as the epidural went in.  I had to curl into a ball for 15 minutes which is a little difficult when you have a big pregnant belly and are trying to breathe through contractions.  I had to tell myself that it would be over soon and I'd feel so much better.  When they said to curve my back more, I visualized protecting the baby when I wrapped my arms around my tummy.  Once the epidural did its thing (which was quick!) I felt nothing!  It was awesome! I looked at my contractions on the computer screen and was like, "Oh yaaaa, I am NOT feeling that! Sweeet!"  After the epidural, it was cake to get my cervix checked and have them break my water.  Lukas reacted well to the pitocin and it was a smooth wait until pushing time. 



At a recent visit to the hospital to see my dear friend Sarah's new baby, I saw a focus poster that she made to keep her going during labor. I loved it and made a similar one for myself.  It really did help to look at words of encouragement, pics of our family, to stay focused on the "goal", & scrips..



When it was nearing pushing time, the doctor checked my cervix and said that I was already at 9-10 cm.  She asked if I wanted to push for a long time or just like 10-15 minutes?  I said 10 minutes, please.  I felt like I was ordering something at a restaurant.  She said to let them know when I started to feel any pressure down below and that meant the baby's head was pushing out already.  I felt pressure, but wasn't sure because it didn't feel like what they described.  Dr. Sarda checked and said that the baby's head was already on its way out!!! The pushing this time was so different.  The epidural was still in full force and I felt NOTHING.  They had to bring out a mirror so I could see if what my body was doing was pushing him out.  It was kinda nasty to see, but it did help.  Ryuta did an excellent job this time holding my hand and counting all the way to ten (last time, he'd trail off at 7 and I'd lose my breath.)  Dr. Sarda was amazing.  I really loved having her because she was very professional and informative, but she was also HILARIOUS.  We don't think she even intended to, but during the pushing, she was cracking me up.  She told Ryuta that he is not the mom's best friend, but the doctor's best friend because he counted soooo slow.  She was a cheerleader during pushing, "C'mon yes yes yes yes! right there!" It was very motivating and funny at the same time.  I remember telling her, "I feel like I'm in a sitcom right now.  This is NOT reality TV."  Seriously, who laughs while pushing out a baby?! 



Dr. Sarda-Maduro, the comedian/cheerleader/OB-- LOVE HER!!! <3

 It was so God and just lots and lots of prayers.  I am still so thankful and joyful about this experience.  I am not traumatized.  I still love my husband.  He is allowed to kiss me.  God has heard my cries and my pleas and answered my prayers.  My prayers for a healthy labor and recovery, prayers for a smoother time with breastfeeding and a baby who knew how to latch, prayers that Ryuta and I could be more of a team this time.  I am very lucky and very blessed to have been able to have a great pregnancy, labor, AND recovery (It seemed before that I had to pick and choose which one--good pregnancy/terrible labor?!)  I am so lucky and blessed for all of the friends praying for me and my health, for my mom's help, for Ryuta and our beautiful boys.


Goodbye, Washington Hospital. We're going home!!



A look back at fall.. (November)



何さい？二歳!



November was a time of family and also new beginnings.  The whole family relaxed and grubbed out for Thanksgiving at Auntie Laura's.  Auntie and G bought a big, new house this spring and now we all have a new place for paaarrrrtttaaayyys!!! :) It was great to see everyone together.  That weekend, the Fukudas came up and Kai and Keila had a mini-reunion.  Keila is such a bright cutie pie.  Katie and Yohei have been sending her to a Japanese Montessori school and it is amazing how fluent Keila is in Japanese.  I wish they had something like that here.

Reunited and it feels so good...

New beginnings...
As I type, my dear friend Valerie is probably sitting in the hosptial holding her new baby girl.  But last month, we held a baby shower at our house to celebrate.  I told Valerie that she HAD to have a shower ESPECIALLY have a GIRL! Who doesn't love buying adorable baby girl things?!
It was a really nice time with Valerie and her friends.  Her two friends, Angela and Nicci, helped out tremendously with the food to make it really special.

Afternoon tea with the ladies

Dainty finger sandwiches

"Welcome Baby Girl Jerdee"

A big congrats to the Jerdee family

Another new beginning...
We had known since October, but we finally announced to everyone that we are expecting a little friend for Kai!  The last due date we got is June 11, 2012 and we will find out in January whether Kai will have a little brother or sister.

at 10 weeks... we have been taking pictures weekly-- me, the growing bump, & Kai

first glimpses at the newest Sanui



A look back at fall... (October)

So, the past few months have gone by and I have been really terrible about updating our blog.  Too many other things to think about and work on and yadda yadda, but let's see what has happened since Kai turned TWO?!
"School"
Our schedule had just been really jam-packed (or felt that way) with Gymboree once a week, mommy group every other week, Kai's "school" twice a week.  Kai started going at the end of August to CSLOT in Fremont.  It is a center that focuses on speech and occupational therapy, but their group sessions have some of the structure and schedule of a preschool.  They encouraged full-parent participation so that we could learn some of their techniques and also, they felt that 2 year-olds are still young to be so independent from their families.  So, from 10:30-1, we went on Tuesdays and Thursdays to "school."  The morning would start with the kids sitting in their chairs while "teacher" Michelle would read a story and then sing some songs.  After that, the kids would move the chairs to the other side of the room and the music box would turn on while the kids would walk in circles or "dance" to the songs.  This was Kai's least-favorite time.  Maybe it was the claustrophobic feeling or the wild kids who would crash around the room into everyone.. but most days, Kai would cry or cling to me during this time.  By the end, we would just leave the room during that time.  I was always so surprised because Kai LOVES music at Gymboree.  After "dance," the kids would take off their socks and shoes and walk into the play area.  Sometimes the occupational therapist, "teacher" Felicia would lead one of the kids through an obstacle course (slide, balance beam, swing, etc.) while the kids watched.  After a few kids did this, they would all get a free time to play.  Usually, Kai did very well at this and got so much better and confident going down the slide! One of the aids, Michelle, would also help him and support him and I could tell she really enjoyed seeing Kai. She helped him with the slide.  After play-time and shoes back on, the kids would walk to the next room for art.  I really enjoyed that every day they'd prepare a really age-appropriate, cute, seasonal art project.  Kai got much better over the past months at sticking his fingers in glue and playing with play-dough and not getting afraid to get a little messy.  After art, the kids would wash their hands and then, they'd all sit down for lunch. It was always interesting to see what other kids ate and how they ate.  Kai has for the most part been a big eater, eating a lot and for long periods of time.  A few of the kids there ate very little perhaps because they still needed help with chewing and swallowing?However, at "school," he wasn't so interesting in eating his lunch.  Maybe it was the other kids?  Maybe because he knew that toys was next?  After lunch, the teachers would take out some toys onto the carpet, each day a different type of toy.  Some days the toys were all cars with a race track or some days it was play kitchens with all play food.  But usually school days were late lunch days for us and Kai would eat his lunch when we would get home.  After toys was singing and goodbye.  There were some good things that came about that I think Kai learned or grew in... He became more confident getting messy, going down a slide, learning some things like washing his hands and cleaning up and putting his socks and shoes on and off.  I liked the structure of the day, but I had a hard time going to "school." Strange, huh? I LOVE school, but I would dread school days.  I had issues with the main teacher and how cold and robotic and unpersonal she was with everyone.  I had issues with watching the other kids and their parents-- the extreme behavior and meltdowns were draining and watching the lack of discipline from the parents was frustrating.  I felt the atmosphere of the place was a little down because some of the other kids seemed to have more severe issues than Kai, not talking at all or just extreme needs with parents who seemed a little sad or hopeless.  I guess I want Kai to really love going to school and to have positive experiences.  I want him also as a very young child to enjoy his life and I want to enjoy this time with him.  So, basically, we are stopping school, but this fall, Kai went to "school."  I will start researching a good preschool for him for when he turns 3.
Weekend getaway
In October, we were able to get away for a weekend to Monterey/Capitola.  My mom had Marriott points she said we could use and it was a bit like a mini-family getaway.  We walked around Capitola and the Capitola mall and the next day went to the Monterey Bay aquarium.  Kai enjoyed seeing the fish!  I think he REALLY loved sleeping in the hotel with us in the big bed.  Thank goodness it was just one night!

the pier in Capitola

eating dinner at Chili's at the mall.. very, very family-friendly. there was even a balloon artist that night!

so many fish!

Halloween
We took Kai again to the Ardenwood pumpkin patch to take pictures, see all the pumpkins, climb the haystack pyramid, go through the maze.  We bought him a tiny pumpkin, but the pumpkins at the supermarket are so much cheaper.

on the BIG pumpkin with daddy

Kai is only half my size even though I'm 15 times his age.. I wonder how tall he'll be when he's my age!

We went again to the Singletons' annual pumpkin carving contest.  I was DETERMINED to be victorious.  Last year, Veronica won (which is just wrong, right? since she is the host) Last year we did a Spock/Star Trek theme with our costumes and pumpkin.  This year I wanted to keep to a theme and we did Mickey Mouse/Disney.  Our pooh pumpkin got 2nd and Veronica STILL won again.. ahhh...

Can you pick out the winning pumpkin?

So, I thought it would be cute to make Kai Mickey Mouse year since he LOVES Mickey.  We did Mickey and Minnie for Kai and Keila's birthday party.  Also, we were able to borrow cousin Andrew's costume from last year.

The ears didn't stay on very long... (I think next year we need to steer clear of EARS. That was our issue with SPOCK too!)

the mouse family at our annual family costume party

Clark Kent for "school"

Trick-or-treating in the neighborhood as a fireman

with monkey buddy Jacob