Slippers

Recently you started using mama's slippers. Why? 

Puppy

Ok, so a lot of the time I call you "puppy." You are our little pup, so I've called you puppy a lot. I also call you super pooper. That's another easy nickname. But puppy....yeah, I use that one a lot. 

It's not because you're our little dog. But sometimes, wow, you do definitely have the boundless energy and enthusiasm of a little puppy.

You also fall asleep like one. 

Recently, since you moved into your own room, your mom and I take turns laying down with you and pretending to be asleep. Sometimes you fall asleep quickly, sometimes not so much. But I do notice, that in the few minutes before you fall asleep, you circle and circle and circle until you find just the right position.

Tonight was like that. It made me laugh, but you just did your thing and found a comfortable position and fell asleep.

And why do you always take off your socks?

Something new what you could do as a big brother!

It's my first posting for 2016. This year will be a big year for you. You will be a brother for our new family member. Maybe some part of that makes you unhappy (like jealous?) a little but I'm sure you guys can be a good friends to each other.

Still you can't speak any words at all. I worry to think about many "Ifs" more than your papa. You make a noise a lot. Well, sometimes too much. But I really really hope to hear you say "papa" soon.
Maybe this word is something that your papa wants to hear the most. Because you are our first child.
You say "mama" kind of...

Last week we built your new room by the kitchen. You like it, but you don't get used to sleeping alone there yet. Last weekend we pretended like we were sleeping next to you, then finally you fell asleep next to us until morning. But still about 22:30-7:00. It's too short for you to feel enough.

Your bed.

Where you sleep (sometimes).

Sunday night, we left you alone to sleep by yourself. You could fall asleep but not in the bed. We found you sleeping on the floor in front of the mirror. WHY? And you woke up at 2:30. Even though we tried, you didn't sleep for a long time. Finally we gave up and took you upstairs and I held you until you slept. (until 5:30!)

Where (and how) you like to sleep.

Well, anyways good first try, I think. Good job Genki. We need your old space for the new baby, Bunny-chan.

Today I tried to cut your nails while you were awake. Usually I cut them when you are sleeping, in a DARK room. I hold my phone for the small light in my mouth and cut it. It's really hard and scarey not to cut your finger always.

Of course you cried and didn't want me to do it. I showed my "angry" face to you and you moved crazy still, tried to escape but in the end I could finish one hand. We both sweated a lot, especially our hands were wet. Mama is the winner for today's fight. But also I knew the feet were impossible.  I will do it tonight while you are sleeping. I will try again when you are awake soon.

But I think it's your big change for me.
Are you ready to be a big brother?

Guess Who's Coming?

Brother or sister? You don’t really have a choice, and right now you would't tell us anyway...and we don't know either…but yes, you will soon be the big brother for someone! Right now we are saying “Bunny-chan” because Mama thinks there is a girl in her belly. I saw the picture, I’m not sure.

It’s very exciting for us. We are happy that you will have someone to play with (I hope you will share your toys). Soon we will need to make a new room for you, and that is a big change. Since you came home from the hospital you have been next to us when we sleep (and awake a lot of those nights!). I am not sure if you will like a new room, but we will be sure to put lots of toys and fun things in there for you.

Still, that’s a ways off, so we still have time to share joined rooms. But bunny chan is coming soon…so what do you think Genki? Brother or sister?

Genki in Japan - 3 Weeks In

It’s been three weeks since you and mama went to Japan, two weeks until you come home. I miss you guys like crazy. Your toys are lonely. The house is quiet. It’s a strange place to be when there is no life. Our house is usually alive with noise and smells and flying toys. There’s just none of that now and it makes for a sad, lonely place.

On the other side of the ocean, Grandma’s house is getting all of that. You are having fun with everyone. It’s great to see you with your cousins. We really hope you have a good connection with them. It will be good for your future. It’s also so good to see you laughing and smiling with Grandma and Grandpa (and great grandma!). They love you so much.

You’ve been going out a lot. Mama takes you to the park, to play areas. You even wen to the aquarium (twice?!). Of course when you were looking at the all the fish, you were holding a stick. Of course.

 We have been “talking” over video chat. It makes me happy when you see me and smile. I was a little worried you would forget about me, but every time you see me you smile and put your head against the computer. It’s the best part of my day to see you and mama. In 2 weeks you will be home. Let’s go to the aquarium! 

Proud Moments

Another long gap between posts. Mama and papa have been busy, tired, lazy…. But of course, there are so many things happening with you.

Two weekends ago we went to the BMX jam (SOS). You are almost tall enough to ride your push bike. It’s a happy and proud moment for me, but a little selfish too. I don’t know if you will like BMX. Probably not the same way I do. But it does make me happy just to see you on the start of a bicycle journey.

You’ve also been playing outside a lot, EVERY DAY. Mama is so patient with you. You just love to play in the back yard picking up dirt and throwing it on to the patio (and we have to clean it up of course). Sometimes Mama tries to keep you a little clean, but obviously this day it was just too much. Genki 1, Mama 0. Still, we like that you can play in the dirt, and you don't always need a TV or phone or (soon) a video game. Another proud moment.

And finally, the season is just starting to change. Of course, we still have warm days, but a few days were cool, and you got to wear your favorite owl hat. You’ll be going to Japan for one month soon, maybe it will be cool there too and you can wear a lot of your cool fall clothes.

Happy Birthday Genki - 2 Years!

The summer has been so busy, we have not been posting very much. We had visits from all 4 of your grand parents (plus Aunt Theresa!) between July and August. It's been a very busy time. You also crossed a couple of things off your list of firsts...more on those later.

Most importantly, you're now 2 years old! Time for the terrible twos! But if we are all being honest, we think you started those early. To be able to spend this much time with your grand parents I think will be a great memory, even if the memory is mostly in photos for you. They were all so happy to see you and you received so many great gifts. As for us (mama and papa), we were so happy to show you off to everyone and watch them try to play with you (you're still VERY independent).

Ok, let's look at some of the things we've done during the Summer of Grand Parents.

Let's start off with a few pics with Grandma and Grandpa Narita:

Visit to Multnomah Falls.

New favorite game with Grandpa

To beat the summer heat and look cool, we both wore jinbei.

After American Grandparents came, we went to the coast for your first open air train ride!

The next big first came with your first hair cut. You fought 3 of us, but we managed to get most of that hair off your head.

Grandpa Ray holding the new Genki.

Grandma Peggy doing the same

We had lunch along the Columbia River with the whole family!