2015 - Happy New Year - 72 Weeks

Well, here's the first post of 2015. We've been in Japan for about 2 weeks now. We'll have a full post about that later. We have had a lot of ups and downs this trip. But everyone is happy to see you and you are having fun.

Yurting, Thanksgiving and Sleeping - 67 Weeks

Your second Thanksgiving has already come and gone, hard to believe. Once again we drove north to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with the Tanner Family. But let;’s back up a minute before we talk about this.

The weekend before Thanksgiving we made plans to head to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park and spend a couple nights in a beautiful deluxe yurt. Now you are too young to know, but as far as camping goes, this is as good as it gets. Next step is a cabin, and that ain’t camping. Not sure a deluxe yurt is camping, what with the heat and electricity and shower, but the walls are canvas, so we’ll call it camping.

We drove the 3+ hours south, headed towards Reedsport, OR. Shortly before arriving, you were crying, and as it turned out, you had a bit of a fever. We stopped for a bit of baby medicine and headed the rest of the way. You surely were fussy, but not any more than normal. You ate, played and watched your favorite movies. All seemed normal…until bed time. You basically did not sleep. Mama held you most of the night.

A look inside our deluxe yurt.

The next day the wind and rain really picked up, so we couldn’t go outside to enjoy nature. Instead, we headed into town to Walmart. I though that maybe it we bought a pack-n-play, that you would feel more comfortable. 

I could not have been more wrong.

As soon as we put you in the pack-n-play to test it out (a nice nap perhaps), it was like your feet were on fire. You cried and cried and no amount of soothing would help you. By the time dinner rolled around, you were still as fussy as ever. Ben and Mackenzie were driving to join us, but mama and I decided that as soon as they arrived, we would leave. They arrived. We packed. Then proceeded to drive home 3+ hours in the driving rain. Of course, you slept soundly the whole way home and after a brief awakening when we arrived home, you slept again through until morning. Exhausted, we too slept.

Papa made cranberry sauce for thanksgiving.

So, fast forward to the next week, Thanksgiving. Hoping for a better result, we bravely packed the car and headed the 3+ hours north for Seattle. No fever this time, and a very uneventful drive. When we arrived you were happy and Sarah and Kent were happy too and all the kids soon were playing and having fun. I was so happy. I thought to myself, “Genki will play himself into a sleepy state and sleep soundly through the night.” 

Thanksgiving with the Tanners.

Of course, this did not happen. The first night, you woke up around midnight. Again, mama held you and tried to soothe you back to sleep. About 2 hours later you finally gave in and closed your eyes. You then woke up early and were ready to play.

The next day (again, driving rain all day), we all went to the Children’s Imagination Museum in Everett, Wa. It’s a great little place for kids (maybe more fun for you next year). Lots of kids playing and lots of fun things to do. You, being still a little too young for this, enjoyed a few things but mostly wanted to be held and fed (your two favorite things!). That night again, you woke up in the middle of the night and stayed awake for a couple hours (enough time for us to watch the snow falling).

Mama reading you a book at the Children's Imagination Museum in Everett, WA.

It’s a strange new pattern, and one we do not like. Next up is a trip to Japan, so we are already preparing for no sleep.

Climbing - 65 Weeks

Well, there goes a little more peace of mind.

You’ve started climbing stairs.

Grandma bought a baby gate for us, to block the stairs from the basement. We close this when we leave you alone, but when we are in the basement with you, we usually leave it open. Of course, you often come by and move whatever object we are using to prop the gate open. The gate then slams shut and you look pleased.

Today though, mama was with you in the basement, and the gate was open. You would think we would know better by now. When you are quiet, that is when we should worry. But of course, the quiet lulled mama into a false sense of calm. Like a ninja, you snuck over to the stairs and by the time mama caught up you were 4 stairs up, preparing to negotiate the tricky right turn on your way to the kitchen (where the food is!).

I love that you are fearless, like most babies at this age. Hope you keep that as long as possible.

Walking (Almost Talking) Baby Boy - 63 weeks

Maybe we are getting a little lazy with the blog. Or maybe you are more active now so we are a little bit more tired these days. Either way, we have not written much lately. Sorry about that.

We had a nice visit from Grandma Peggy and Aunt Theresa. They were so happy to see you and you were a great boy. You even started walking after they arrived. Before they came, of course, you had tried walking and taken a few steps here and there. After they arrived, you were like a walking champion.

In the basement you like to circle the coffee table. You are like a race car doing laps around the table. Sometimes you don’t even look at where you are going or you walk with toys in your hand. You just lean onto the side of the table and keep moving. Too funny.

Pardon the pun, but it’s a large step in your growth. The transformation from held infant, to crawling baby to walking toddler…it’s been incredible for us to watch this. The next milestone is communication. I’m excited to hear your talking voice, but I’m in no hurry. I want to enjoy this stage a bit more.

A Tale of Two Genkis - 59 Weeks

How unique you are. Just when we think we know you, know your habits…you change. Outside factors don't seem to matter, you just seem to zig and zag at will. Case in point, your sleeping habits. We've recently stopped using a bottle of milk to make you sleepy. We just lay you down in your crib around the same time each day. You cry a tiny bit, but you put yourself to sleep (made your mama so happy!).

With the weather changing now and days getting shorter, I expected some sort of sleep adjustment as it is darker earlier in the evening and stays darker later in the morning. I actually thought this might make you sleep more. And I was right. Maybe.

But, as always, there's just no telling with you. Let's talk about the last two days, September 28 and 29. 

This past weekend we went to Hopworks for the Handmade Bikes & Beer Fest. You were pretty good both days, of course a couple times you got crabby. But basically you were a good boy. I think going out both days and then playing at home made you tired. On Sunday night we put you to bed around 7:30. You were fussy for a little bit, but soon you were quiet and sleeping.

Usually, you're an alarm clock for us. Around 6am (sometimes earlier) you wake up and start talking or crying. The next morning though, my phone alarm woke me up, you were still sleeping. I walked past you to go take a shower, and I was sure the creaking wood floors would wake you up. Nope. You slept. Finally, I had to go to work. It was the first time I left for work with you sleeping. No goodbye kiss, just a sleeping baby. You had slept almost 12 hours.

Monday night we were thinking it would be the same. Your routine did not change. Dinner, then some playing, then upstairs around 7:30 to read a book with mama and go to sleep. Again, you fussed a bit when she put you int he crib, but soon you were quiet and sleeping. As I went to bed, I wondering if you would be sleeping when I went to work.

Of course, that did not happen. 

A little after 1am, you woke up and started to cry. We try to let you cry it out, but you just weren't happy. I went downstairs to sleep and your mama helped you get back to bed (you had a #2 in your diapers too!). You woke up early again, but you were quiet in the morning. It was nice when you slept 12 hours, but I have to admit it is nicer to see your face before I leave for work.

How long will you sleep tonight?

Self Sleeping! - 13 Months

Well kid, you did it. I won't get too far ahead of things, because you've only "done it" a few times, but it's a start. Of course I am talking about falling asleep without using a bottle of milk.

I've been gently pushing your mama to try and let you sleep at night without using a bottle to put you into that sleepy haze. Most folks say we should have tried this closer to 9 months, but you've been a bit of a challenge in the sleeping department anyway. So we were still celebrating the fact that you sleep regularly from 8pm to 6am. Huge win for us!

So we were not overly eager to introduce a new wrinkle to the sleeping process. That said, I convinced mama to try a new technique this weekend. At your nap time and at night, we would put you in your crib around the normal sleep time and just let you "cry it out" a bit. Mama was skeptical, but I know our house is big enough so I can go to a quiet area while you cry your eyes out (and subsequently tire yourself out).

So we tried it, and the first time, of course you cried…but also…you eventually fell asleep! Mama was surprised. I was a little surprised too, but on the outside I tried to look cool, like I knew this would happen.

Last night was another test. It was Sunday night (so I have work the next day). We took you upstairs to your crib at the normal sleeping time (just after 7:30). I was a little worried cause you had been fussy all day. But we gave it a try. Mama read you a book (Japanese version of Goodnight Moon). And then she put you down in your crib. You cried a bit, but before long (less than 30 minutes I think), it was quiet. You were sleeping! All by yourself with no milk to make you sleepy. You turned a corner. No more bottles! No more bedtime milk!

You can't imagine how happy this makes your mama. You see, your mama spends a lot of time with you, and she uses a lot of energy to get you to sleep at nap time or at night. It takes a lot of her energy. If you can put yourself to sleep (even if you cry a little), then she can feel a little refreshed, day by day. 

I know this is a small thing maybe for some parents, but for us, this is BIG. Thank you!

Labor Day 2014 - Camping #4

Wow buddy, camping excursion #4! We decided to end the summer with a little camping fun with the Tanner family. We found a nice family friendly campsite halfway between Seattle and Portland - Lake Sylvia Campground in Montesano, WA.

Before we talk about this trip, let's go back and think about the first 3 camping trips:

1. Nottingham Campground, Mt. Hood - May, 2014

This site was Plan B as we were trying to go to the free camping off Barlow Rd. In any case, both are in the shadow of Mt. Hood. It was very cold, and you didn't go to sleep so easily, but you slept through the night. It was a fun first camping trip. With Mom, Dad, Uncles Ben and Mark.

2. Crater Lake - July 2014

Such a beautiful place to visit. We did two nights here. Again, you didn't want to sleep so early, so the first night I ended up sleeping in the car with you. You were ok the second night, but still a bit difficult to get to sleep. With Mom, Dad, & Uncle Ben.

3. Barlow Rd, Mt. Hood - August 2014

This was the first "family only" camping trip. We went to Barlow rd for some free camping and in a much quieter location with no close camping neighbors (so if you were crying, nobody would hear you). With Mom & Dad.

And that brings us to camping #4. 

4. Lake Sylvia Campground, Montesano, WA - August/September 2014
We were really excited to end the summer with a big family camp trip. Having Sarah-chan and Kent-kun and you camping together was great. Lots of laughter and fun times. We had a chance to take a short day trip to the ocean (and a quick stop at a brewery!). We had a lot of fun and you had a nice chance to play outside.

Aunt Mayumi also had a special birthday surprise for you make a special s'mores cake. The Tanner family also gave you some cool gifts!

Sleeping was still difficult for you though. I think maybe you are too excited to sleep so when mama tries to put you to sleep in the tent, you just won't sleep. At night the campground is so quiet, so when you started crying, I brought you to the car with the hope to drive you to sleep. I drove around the camp site, but you were still awake. I then drove around town and then back to the campground, but you were still not sleepy. I finally parked at our camp and stayed in the car with you, but you were so crazy and you were either crying or trying to go everywhere in the car. Finally, around 2am, I asked mama to try to sit with you…and like a miracle, you finally fell asleep. Of course you woke up early, but at least you slept a little.

I know as a baby, it's not easy to go camping in a tent, but I am glad you had a chance to do some camping at a young age. I want you to be happy and comfortable when we go camping.

Happy Birthday Genki - 1 Year!

It's hard to believe, but you're 1 year old! I don't know how time can go so fast and so slow, but the first year with you was like that. The nights when you used to wake up every hour, those were long nights (and long next days). The time when you were light and small enough for us to carry in the Baby Bjorn went by so fast. I still love carrying you, but your weight and penchant for wiggling means we can only carry you for short times now. How much you have grown and changed in 1 year. You're not a baby anymore!

Your mama recently showed me a Japanese Pampers video. In the video, moms in Japan take their babies to see the doctor for the 1 year visit. During the visit the dads hang photos of the moms in the hospital hallway to surprise mama. You see, baby's first birthday is also a celebration for mom. For 9 months before you were born and for the first year of your life, your mama has been amazing. In your life, I hope you remember, your biggest hero is your mom. You are a happy and healthy baby because of your mama. She always thinks about you first and does everything to make sure you are comfortable, even on days when she is super tired and you are being difficult. In the future, sometimes for no reason, please just say thank you to your mom.

As for me, if I think about the last year, I can only smile. You have such a good spirit, I can see already. You love to be with people, you love to play and you love to laugh. Of course, like all babies, you are also fussy sometimes. But I can see your personality shining through like a bright sun. I don't know what your future will be, but I do know that right now the possibilities are endless as long as you have this personality. This apparent love for joy. Keep this always in your heart.

With the first year in the rearview mirror, I wanted to list a few of the many firsts. Year 2 has just started and I am sure there will be so many more wonderful things in store for us.

August, 2013 - Birth! First meeting with Grandma and Great-Grandma from Japan!

September, 2013 - First meet with grandpa Buglio.

October, 2013 - First Halloween.

November, 2013 - First Bulls (and Blazers) game! 100 Days!

December, 2013 - First Christmas, first trip to Japan!

January, 2014- First New Year's.

February, 2014 - First snow!

March, 2014 - Visit to Detroit Dam and Lake.

April, 2014 - Visit Uncle Jun, Aunt Mai, baby An and Grandma in Toronto. Meet Grandma Peggy and Aunts Cheryl and Theresa!

May, 2014 - First kiss and first camping!

June, 2014 - First bike ride!

July, 2014 - First blood, first visit to Crater Lake!

August, 2014 - First Birthday!

Almost 1 Year - 362 Days

This will be the last time I list days in the title. Your first birthday is on Thursday, so we can start listing years and months and weeks. Can you believe it? Already 1 year old. I'll save my 1-Year thoughts for Thursday, but briefly I wanted to show you a little bit about your sleeping style.

Of course, you have had good days and bad days with sleep. In the beginning you woke up every hour or two. Then for a short time you would sleep all night (those are good nights!). Recently you've been waking up around 3am or 4am and then sleeping for a couple more hours. You'll grow out of that, you see, kids love sleeping. They might hate going to bed, but they love sleeping. So far though, you have been an early riser. You seem to be a morning person. I guess that came from me. 

One other thing that might have come from me is your sleeping position. Or I should say, positions. When I was a kid I would sleep in many crazy positions, turning around many times at night. You do this a lot. Usually when I go upstairs to go to sleep I take a photo of you sleeping. Maybe a little creepy (and I promise I will stop this when you get older), but it's so funny to see the crazy positions you put yourself in. 

Crater Lake - 335 Days

Last weekend we took you to Crater Lake with Uncle Ben. It was our second try to go camping with you and maybe your longest drive (almost 5 hours of driving!). We packed the car full of everything we needed: tent, sleeping bag, clothes, diapers, toys, food, cooking supplies, chairs and more and more and more...the car was full.

The drive to Crater Lake was easy, you slept most of the way. We stopped a couple of times so we could all take a break and stretch. But finally we made it to Crater Lake and the Mazama camp area. After making our camp we started to drive around to see the lake.

It's really a beautiful place, and I think we need to come here again when you can appreciate the nature and view. But maybe by then you will not want to go camping with mama and papa? I hope you will.

I think maybe because you slept so much in the car, you were not so tired at night. You didn't sleep well in the tent, so two times I put you in the car and drove around the camp area until you fell asleep (very quickly both times). The first time we tried to move you back into the tent, but you woke up soon. So the second time I left you in the car seat and slept in the car with you while mama slept in the tent. You slept until morning, but I didn't sleep much at all. It was freezing for me (no sleeping bag), but cozy for you because you had two blankets. In the morning you woke up refreshed and sat on the Ben chair near the fire.

The next day we decided to do some site seeing while driving and then take a trail down to the lake. It wasn't a long trail, but I was carrying you in a back pack so it was a little tough, but fun.

At the bottom of the trail there is an area where we could have a nice lunch (kitsune udon for mama, curry udon for me). Uncle Ben was swimming in the lake, but the water is really cold, so we just decided to dip our feet into the water. It was cool and refreshing and you splashed your feet many times.

Hiking back to the top was really tough, but we did our best and we all made it in about an hour (mama did great!). You actually fell asleep on the way up. It was warm and you didn't nap for a long time. I tried to be a smooth hiker so you could sleep.

That night we were a little worried that you wouldn't sleep again and that it would be night #2 in the car. After a little fussiness though, you fell asleep. Of course you like to move a lot in your sleep so you moved over into mama's area. She loves you so much, so she moved over a little more so you could have space to move. She was not too comfy, but you slept all night! Finally you woke up (around 5am) and I was happy (I slept!).

We packed up that day and started the long drive home. It was a beautiful weekend and we had fun seeing the Lake and camping. We have one more camping trip planned for this summer, so that means your first year with us you will have camped at least 3 times!