From Concept to Reality - Week 17

Check this out. Last entry I imagined how your nursery would look. And wouldn't you know it, it is starting to shape up. The finer details like the Ares bike and the Cubs fat head are still under negotiation, but I'm confident we can get this done.

You're meant to start moving around any week now in mama's belly. She's wondering if it's you or just gas sometimes. I made that last part up.

Baby Got A Home - Week 15

Well, we did it. Your mama and I bought a house. I think you'll dig it. Big enough for you to have your own room. Big basement to play in and a nice little yard in the back. For the first year or two you'll be right next to us, upstairs. Nothing is set in stone, but this is how I envision your little nursery:

I'm making some big assumptions here:

First, I am assuming you're a boy, or at the least a girl who'll like BMX.

Second, and maybe the worst of all, is my assumption that you will (like your dumb old pop) love a baseball team that hasn't won a World Series in 100+ years, and might not for the next 100. Sorry kiddo.

No matter, if you turn out to love skateboarding and basketball (the Bulls, of course), I'm okay with that. If you prefer snowboarding and hockey (Blackhawks of course), that's awesome. Maybe surfing and football (Da Bears!) are your cup of tea? I couldn't be prouder.

 If you like rollerblading and razor scooters and want to watch golf on TV, we've got problems.

When is my stable period?? - Week 14

So since you started growing in my belly, Kogumachan, you've made me happy but at the same time, you made me sick or feeling strange. Of course, I'm not sure all of it is because of you or not.

Sometimes I wake up at 4 or 5am and feel like...I want to go running so hard! I know your papa will be worried if I do, so I don't. I go out to the living room and walk a little and do some stretching. Then get tired and sleep again.

Sometimes I have bad dreams. I only remember the last 3 dreams. After I came back from Japan, I had a dream of your grandma. She was so sweet to me but my behavior was not good. I woke up and cried so much. I felt lonely. That day your papa came back from work early for me. I felt I'm really happy that I have this life together with your papa.

Next one was maybe last week? The dream was that your cousin Rintaro got lost, and it was my fault. I could imagine how sad and scary that is. After you are born, I will never do anything like this for sure.

And yesterday, I had another dream. I was taking a bath, and the tub was full of frogs and frog babies. Yuck! There was your grandma and she told me, "Ah, I had this experience a few times. Because your grandma (for you, great-grandma) used to live in a place where there are a lot of frogs. So some frogs put their eggs in clothes or somewhere then after she took a bath, they moved and stayed in the tub. So they grow up there."

That's a strange dream, right?

Also, yesterday your grandma (papa's) left here. I was sad and cried again.

When something like this happens, my feeling is super nervous and a little scary. I hope this feeling doesn't go to you too. Like that time, I hold your papa's hand to calm down. Your papa is my medicine :).

Do you feel this?

Today is not so bad weather. the wind is strong, clouds are moving fast. But I can see the blue sky. I'm waiting to show you many beautiful things.

-Mama

Chicken Wings - Week 13

So little Koguma, we got our first 3D look at you this week. I've got to be honest, you look like an alien with chicken wings. It's not the nicest thing I could say, but it's true, and when you look back on this photo years from now, you'll agree.

I'm already proud of you. You make your mama so happy, but have caused three of the most unsettling moments I've had with her. You see, every time we go to the doctor to check on you, they take blood from your mama. She doesn't like this. Of course nobody likes giving blood, but your mama....wow. Every time we do this I think of you laughing inside her belly.

We went camping last week...well, kind of camping. There were beds, and electricity and heat. So, call that what you like. Anyway, this one's for you kid.

Mama's Belly - Week 12

You're right at the end of week 12 right now, estimated to be about the size of a peach. It's a total coincidence that your mama has suddenly found a craving for canned fruit, including peaches. Don't read anything into that.

We've got good news for you, we think we found a nice house for you to grow up in. More on that later, but rest assured you'll have your own room.

I think your mama's morning sickness (all day sickness, really) has been better these last few days. She thanks you for that. Not quite out of the woods on that yet, but hopefully she's past the worst.

We've been trying to take photos of your mama's belly, to show the growth. I'm not sure why we are doing this as she would NEVER let these photos be seen by anyone. The photo below was the best I could get past the censors.

150 BPM - Koguma-chan Loves Techno - Week 11

So baby bear, this is the first of hopefully many posts from mama and papa. We found out about you on November 25, 2012. And every day since has been filled with anticipation. When you get older, but not too old, you'll experience this waiting for Christmas or a birthday. Anticipation. Everyday we've wondered about you.

Boy or girl? We still don't know.

My nose or your mama's? Chances are you'll be stuck with mine. I'm sorry.

Flatlander? Without a doubt!

Right now, it's the end of week 11, and boy are you making your mama sick. It's not your fault. You're growing in leaps and bounds now and that sort of thing is bound to make mama feel queasy. Keep doing what you're doing. Your mama is strong.

We've heard your heartbeat twice now, and both times sounded like a rave. 150 beats per minute! Well done! I never thought the sound of a heart beat could bring me to tears, but yours did. Both times.

Here's what you look like. Crazy eh?

Next to your photo, that's a little good luck charm we picked up on New Year's Eve at Takaai-jinja, in Japan. Your mama keeps it close at hand always.

Take your time in there, grow strong.