Money, money, money

Clark is now in love with money, filthy lucre. Luckily I think he likes it because it is shine, a good hand size, and freaks mom out when he tries to put it into his mouth. I just hope he takes a while to find out the real meaning of it. He'll carry two coins around all day, and just be happy as a clam. Though he does get a bt confused when he tries to clap, he doesn't want to let the coins go, but he can't really clap with them in his hands. It is quite the baby dilema.




In other news, we got our bike seat for the baby. It is very exciting, and he seems to somewhat like it. We are getting a second seat for the cruiser, but we'll probably end up switching that seat onto fiona(my green racer) and the front mount onto the cruising bike. Anyway, daddy took him on a test run while grandpa finished changing my tire.




Last but not least I have a story to share. I got the idea after reading this. I have all these cool things happen to me, and then the rest of the day gets busy and I forget to share so here is my story. I, by no means, intend to steal any thunder.

Last week, well maybe closer to two weeks ago now, we went to the grocery store for a quick trip. I didn't need much so I just put Clark in the sling with my wallet and keys. I didn't bother with the baby carrier or the stroller since all I wanted was a zucchini or some such nonesense. When I got there though, everything was on sale! Great prices in the land of expensive produce. A big box of tomatoes for $6, spinach for $0.88, cheap cucumber, milk, tofu, etc. It was a smorgesborg of sale prices. I went a little wild and bought a lot. It was super duper heavy, so after we had crossed the street from the store I realized we were in for some trouble. I stopped walking and Clark and I prayed for someone to help us carry the stuff the rest of the way home. We started walking, we got quite a few weird looks, and a few looks of pity, but no one stopping. I even overheard some old ladies saying how heavy all my stuff looked (then, do something old chatty women...you still look lively and could very easily help...ahem!). Right about when we reached our halfway point, and I thought that Heavenly Father wanted me to learn to walk home all by myself this nice lady from down the road who knows me, but I didn't know her, runs up from behind and asks to help. I was so very happy, and she was so sweet, she walked us all the way to our door. I feel like I got to help her too because I told her about the cheap prices, so it was almost a win-win situation (I got way more out of the deal). It was wonderful to have a prayer answered so nicely, and such a good example to Clark, who won't remember a thing. Once we got in the house, we definitely gave a prayer of thanks. It was just a very fun thing to have happen, and something I'll remember for a while now.

I'll try to plant it tomorrow or Tuesday

By the way, look at his pointed toes...dancer just like mommy and daddy...I just wish you could see his farmer tan better.

Oh! Did I say this before? I finally got a look in Clark's mouth, and sure enough, the eyeteeth are starting to descent, I can see the white painful bumps coming down his gums. He'll have six teeth on top, and two on the bottom soon. I know some kids can sleep through teething, but it is apparent to me that Clark is definitely a child who will ALWAYS let me know he is starting to teeth again by having two weeks of HORRIBLE sleep. Yeah for it being over for the time being! We even got to sleep in the morning....woot! Ok time for bed..ciao

I just like this pictures because his eyes are squinted so he looks more Japanese than usual.

Oh Clap! It's an Emergency

Snappy title, not so snappy post. Yep, I'm evil. Anyway so that is not a mistake from being in Japan too long, Clark has learned how to clap! He just started doing it yesterday morning, and I was totally surprised, Masaki was there too, so it was fun to see him clap, and mommy and daddy were all excited. We've been practicing it ever since. Even when he was falling asleep he'd be laying on his back and clap every once in a while, or just sit up, clap and lay back down. It is pretty funny.




The emergency part is two fold. FIRST, yesterday we'd gotten back from our shopping, so I was drinking some water since it is hot, humid and sucky to walk outside now. Well he grabbed the plastic 2 Litre pitcher of barley tea, picks it up, looses grip and drops it all over the floor. So I clean it up, but he comes over to play in it, and splashes it ALL OVER, plus his clothes soak it up, etc. The funny part about this though, is with all the water he lost traction, so as he tried to crawl away, he was just slipping and not moving. It was worth it just to see that.
Emergency number TWO happened this morning. He was getting sleep, and since we are doing cloth during the days now, I wanted to change him before he went to sleep so he wouldn't soak through anything while he rested. I got the diaper off but he slipped away before the new one was on. Well I got it ready, and was trying to figure out the best course of action when he pees ALL OVER the futon. Oy! Now is onesie and the futon cover are wet, so I take those off, and as I am taking the futon cover off he grabs the old mildly wet diaper and runs off with it(crawls off, you know what I mean) and before I can grab it back from him he puts it in his mouth! YUCKY, that had to be my sternest voice every and he just smiles. Another emergency load of laundry today, I stuck the futon outside to dry and have the sun do it's anti-bacterial thing. Now I need to go clean the shower, our breakfast mess(which was large today...someone decided to throw all of his cheerios off and everything else as well).




It's barely 11am....yeah for the weekend, daddy gets to play with him.

Seriously though, for all the complaining I do, he is a lot of fun. We play with our plastic balls, smile lots at each other, chase each other, and generally have a merry time. His new skills are just posing a problem with the house up keep at this time.

sabotage

Ok, so I'm shooting for a weight/physique goal for Christmas. Truth be told, I'm not doing too bad, especially with the extra incentive of not being able to eat sugar(it disrupts my digestive process a lot, like people who are lactose intollerant and drink milk....curse what pregnancy did to my body!) Except when I find these at the store screaming at me to buy them.



I call them sabotage.

In case you can't tell they are Almonds covered in chocolate, first milk and then dark. As the box says it truly is "Best Balance".


Who has seen the movie Big Trouble in Little China? Well, there is a part where Wang Chi, Eddie and Jack are talking and bring up 'The Hell Of Being Cut To Pieces', there are a few more references to different Hells. I have thought of another one, the Hell of a Teething Baby. Poor little guy was just starting to sleep from 7:30 to 4 or 4:30 when WHAM he starts waking up at midnight, 1, 2, and can't be consoled, or put down. If I give him some baby motrin and a quick nurse he'll be out again until 6, but it took me almost a week to realise he was teething. I just hope the teeth pop out fast. Plus I think his biological clock is starting to toy with the idea of 1 nap, so we have some interesting days. Just know if I don't complain about it, it is probably improving and I don't say anything because I don't want to jinx it.




By the way, the great new haircut. I slept on it funny, but it got rave reviews in person, and does well with the humidity.

The SCARIEST movie EVER!

Last night Masaki and I watched An Inconvenient Truth. Dude, that has to be the scariest movie ever made. It makes some awesome points, and has really given me courage to work outside of my family for change. We do a lot, and recycle most of our trash, switching to cloth diapers...slowly, recycle our water, etc., but I need to start doing stuff to make our politicians change. Though that does seem somewhat dire considering how much big business lines most of their pockets. It's feels like everyone at the top thinks of nothing, but how long it will take to buy their next Porsche SUV. It just comes down to consideration, whether you believe Global Warming is real or not(and it is, don't buy into the media hype that it isn't), just be considerate of the air, and earth that you WILL be passing on to your children and grandchildren. We've been given such a special gift living here, why not take care of it. You clean your house, why not clean your earth?



Anyway, I'm done ranting, here are some happy pictures of our beautiful boy playing in his pool(used the water to water our veggies afterwards). We've had some good days lately, just playing and enjoying ourselves. Heck I even got a wicked cool new haircut. The Sister Missionaries came up and even told me so today, plus Masaki thinks I'm sexy, so I am stoked. I went back to the same place as last time, and viola! she did an even better job this time. YEAH!




Oh, and because it was requested here is a pic of our mango seed. I still haven't found a pot large enough, and now it is even sprouting more! I also want to plant the artichoke that my grandma sent, as well as some biwa seeds I gathered from last years fruit. Rainy season is in full swing so I better plant now while the ground is wet.



Ok, question. I've been thinking about going to grad school, but I can't decide what to do. So I'm going to the polls. My choices are architecture, something I've loved since a little girl, don't know if I'm good at it, but if I can pull it off and I am good there is a chance I can draw up plans from home. My online options are VERY limited. Number 2, teaching English as a second language. I know I'm good at it, I can teach well, I'm good at languages, and have lots of experience. Distance courses are a lot easier to find, and I could do that and potentially fulfill my other dream of becoming a college professor.




That's it, I'm done...thanks =)

Arrrr!

So I need to do 5 million other things, but this is how I wasted my time instead

My pirate name is:

Red Ethel Kidd

Passion is a big part of your life, which makes sense for a pirate. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Arrrrr! Me hearties!

"I can't believe I got wings!"

Yep, I had Masaki get me some maxi pads when he was at a Costco warehouse, he tried to get the right thing, but missed it, and was saying "I can't believe I got wings!" for a full day. It was just stinking hillarious to hear him say it.

Our weather has turned towards summer with a nice cool 88 F and 67% humidity. This is typical July weather, usually we are in the middle of rainy season now, so this bodes to be an EVIL summer. Ah well, despite this, we went for a walk/jog in the forest this morning. Yes, you read that right, jog. Despite my long hatred of running, it just seems so fun with the baby stroller that I just bust into a nice stried every half mile or so. I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon, but right now it just seems so nice to be able to run after almost a year of NO running whatsoever. Plus I did this on a night where Clark woke up at 12 and was awake until 1:30, and then woke up at 4:30 to nurse. It was a fun night. Hopefully I can hit my second weightloss goal(I'll miss my first, which ends on July 11th) with this weird exercise stuff. Though making THESE doesn't help.





Oh! I got barley flour from my dad(he bought the barley in the US and ground it here) and so I was able to make Clark some barley banana pancakes. It worked really well, he seems to enjoy them, and his arms don't turn red after eating them. Now if I can just find barley here, ugh!




Here is a picture of a close encounter of the yogurt kind. Clark likes to suck food off of his try by putting his mouth down in it, this is what happens when I spill yogurt in the right spot. If I don't feed him fast enough he lunges for the bowl with his mouth wide open and just sucks down whatever I'm feeding him. It is somewhat like how he goes about breastfeeding. When he knows it's time to nurse he starts to laugh and whine, then when he sees it he starts laughing and hyperventilating and just lunges for it with his mouth open. Crazy kid! Oh, and water, yeah, he likes to drink like Mork (from Mork and Mindy). It is an adventure every meal time.

Respect the Body

Ok, so I just need to vent real quick, sorry no pictures since yesterday. I know, we are horrible parents, but please listen.

As often happens at church in Japan, we have a food party after our main meetings. Well I was in another meeting, and came down to the kitchen looking for my men when it had finished. Daddy was eating, and baby was being cared after by a sweet sister. She is wonderful, and great with kids, but very much lives up to her Latin American roots. Clark was upset when he saw me, because, well, I wasn't holding him, so she automatically assumes he's hungry. This would be a possibility if I hadn't just nursed him 30 minutes earlier. It was obvious to me he didn't really want to eat, especially since he refused the rice I proffered him. I said he wasn't hungry and continued to get my own food. He would have none of it, so sweet sister kept looking after him. Here is the horror part to me, she comes over to be near us, and just takes some cookie thing and feeds it to him. I don't know how I saw it, since I wasn't paying any attention, but I did, and just about died. Why? First, he's allergic to eggs, and his body doesn't tend to agree with wheat flour all that well. Second, I'm trying to raise him a refined sugar free baby until he's three. Thirdly, she didn't even ASK, she just pops it in his mouth, which I then had to fish out with my finger with considerable protest from the baby.

In the grand perspective of things, it really isn't a big deal, but I needed to vent. It just means I need to watch him very closely, and understand that a lot of people aren't going to immediately think 'Hey, should I maybe NOT feed sugar to a young child that is already really active, and probably doesn't need it'. Le Sigh. Ok, and just so everyone knows, I'm not pushing my baby's diet on anyone else, but it is a decision that we've made, ok so I made, but Masaki supports whole heartedly for our kiddies.

We were nice about it, and she was nice about it, so it is all good, but DANG, people, respect parent's dietary needs and choices for other people's kids.

Thanks for letting me vent

p.s. I have a mango pit growing in my kitchen sink.

...because I can..

Yep, I'm posting, just because I can. Clark is sleeping, most of the housework is done, and I can relax for a bit...YEAH! Plus, everything I needed to order from the States to send to my mom before she comes out has been ordered, so we are totally good to go. I'm even feeling a bit more loquacious than usually, maybe it is a good thing the PMS is finished for the month. Though I am afraid the chocolate I consumed last week will leave a lasting impression on my butt. We've had a lot of fun this week, plus Obaachan came over on Thursday night, so we've had an extra play pal for the last two days. She works super hard too, so our house is BEAUTIFUL! Clark is turning into the super walker, he's started using those push toys, so I'm sure he'll be moving on his own in a few weeks. Though his skin isn't doing so well, so I need to figure out what he is allergic to now...oy!



Oh and one more 'me' thing, my yogurt finally worked! Muahhahahaha. I put it out on a warm, not too hot day, and by the end of the sunny day the yogurt was solid...not like cheese solid, but like storebought yogurt solid. It even tasted like real plain yogurt. I think we did it!

Masaki is giving it a go at installing MacOSX on his Windows computer, so we'll see how that goes, and tonights baking project, pumpkin chocolate chip cake with cream cheese frosting.




Clark has some new favorite foods like cheese, pumpkin, green peas, and mushrooms. He doesn't like mango, kiwi, and he tends to be a bit wary of fruit. He spits out his apple juice and makes his 'this is gross, mom!' face. He has also started to dance while he plays his baby piano, it is stinking hillarious. Our plan today is to buy him a new pair of shoes, since he has outgrown his current pair. Good job baby boy!

One last thing, crazy this from English class. I was teaching on Tuesday night, as I am often wont to do, and one of my students starts telling me she was looking up the word consume on her cell phone dictionary and she scrolled down a bit and came to the word consumate. She was surprised, but it reminded her of the word I taught them the previous week, 'shotgun wedding'. The other students we're very confused as to how she came upon this word, and it took some explaining, but they finally understood. It made for an interesting class. Hey, I'm used to it, Masaki used to learn his English from Bevis and Butthead and college boys.

Changing again

Ok, so I promise to stop changing all of this blog stuff around. This will be the last time for a while. I may tweak the design of this site a bit, but, I'll stay at this URL. It is
http://nicole.kaimori.com/blog/

I was just annoyed with the lack of customizability of the iWeb program. So as much as I am loathe to not use something made by Apple, I'm making the switch to blogger. Also, this will hopefully allow me to post while away from home, which will be especially useful as I'll be giving my laptop away at Christmas time!




Anyway, not much to report(I think of 5 million things and then go blank once I start to type), other than Clark has become super duper mobile. Three weeks of crawling, 1 week of climbing and now he can get into almost everything. He has also been able to feed himself a bit with a spoon. Most of the time he misses, but it is the few hits that make it all worth it.




He has also waved bye bye a few times, and is starting to dance. It looks more like he is shaking his head 'no' but since we don't typically do that, and his head shaking often coincides with music, we're pretty sure it is dancing. Masaki and I are, of course, thrilled, especially since we are both dance enthusiasts.



Last, but not least, I want to show off what I made Masaki for Father's Day. Yes, it is a shirt, but I plan to put new hand prints every year, and more as we have more kids, so it is a long term present, and I don't need to think of anything for a long time now. Plus it only took like 5 minutes (including running downstairs to wash Clark's hand before he could eat the paint).



Ok, time for bed, I just wanted to share real quick. Oh and any suggestions on design, font, etc. let me know...things like 'I can't read it the font is too dang blasted small!'

Test baby, test baby

1,2,3,4!