1ST ANNIVERSARY - Week 26

04/28/2012, me and your papa got married in Osaka. It was one of the happiest days in my life.

We decided to be together afresh. 

It's past but about 1 week ago, it was your papa's birthday. I got ready secretly and celebrated with some friends. Even he doesn't feel comfortable to be one year older, always "Birthday" is good. 

Im looking forward to celebrate your birthday too.

But unfortunately he is a little sick now. Because he works hard at his job and making many house small things to get ready for you (also, he wants to finish many things before your grandma comes here). I'm surprised how tough he is. 

We just came back form San Francisco last night. Your papa had to work over there. He worked sooo hard there too. Me? I did shopping and bought your cute clothes :) 

Did you feel the different air? 9 hours! He drove that long way. Some places were chilly, some places were crazy hot. On this trip also I could see many beautiful things. Beautiful blue sky, birds, great bridge, super big moon! I want to show you many things like this.

It's only 1 year since I came to America. But I went to many places with your papa already.

Seattle, Vancouver, Texas, Japan. After we knew you are in my belly, San Rafael, San Francisco, Hawaii...then we're gonna go to Japan next week. 

You must be able to be tough kid like your papa! (that I love.)

Movers and Shakers (You and Us) - Week 23

Well little Koguma, it's been a while since I rapped at ya (name that reference!!). According to the app on our phones, you're meant to be as big as an ear of corn now. All of the comparatives on that app have been food. It makes your mama hungry. Truth be told, she's eating a lot. Which means you're eating a lot? You must like pizza, 'cause the other night mama ate 3 huge pieces. Of course you like pizza, you're a baby Buglio.

A couple weeks back we had another ultrasound. you were pretty active (genki) during that time. Moving quite a bit and throwing your arms and legs around. Wild style! This pic below is a little creepy, but I love the position of your fist.

You're kicking a bunch lately. I think your mama is wondering why you're so antsy, but I love it (sorry Nana). I just think it's your spirit. You want out of there and into the world. Good news on that front. You're about 16-17 weeks away from meeting everyone. Looking forward to that. Until then, stretch those legs and arms. It might annoy your mama a little, but I know she loves it.

We've been busy lately, getting the house ready for you (and the parade of visitors who will want to see you!). So if you hear some hammering, some sawing...rest assured. It's all in an effort to make our house ready for you. If it gets too loud, just give your mama a gentle kick. She can then tell me to put the hammer down for a bit.

You must be still small yet - Week 23

You are not big enough to act up in my belly, right?
But these days, I don't feel so. Your kick and punch is stronger than before. Before, I thought "Ah, Kogumachan woke up and is playing."
Now, sometimes I feel you are just angry at me. Because I lay down on my left side and you kick me so strong many times. Maybe you prefer left belly position?
If you do, maybe you are little bit grumpy ne. I will try to make you comfortable more.

-Mama

We Decided Your Name! - Week 20

We saw you yesterday. We've been thinking of names for you. We've come up with cool names for a boy or a girl. But we now know what you'll be, and after your performance on the ultrasound, me and papa thought that we already had the perfect name picked out. You move so much. I think other babies don't move so much like you that time. The doctor also was surprised because you are so genki.

I didn't eat breakfast that time so you must have been hungry. You tried to lick your fingers.

That was super cute. Make sure you stop that before you turn 5 years old (not like your uncle...).

Ah! also, Your papa touched and felt you first time last night. Did you hear his voice? He called you and you answered.

He doesn't listen to me though! (I hope you are different).

Tropical Fruit - Week 19

According to our little iPhone app, you're about the size of a mango right now. That's fitting seeing as how your mama and I just went to Hawaii. Now I don't eat a lot of mangoes, but I have an idea of how big they are. To think you are already this big boggles my mind.

To your credit, you've been kind enough to not get too big too fast. The casual observer wouldn't even notice your mama is pregnant.

Speaking of mangoes, well, not really...I'm hoping you like carrots. I won't say exactly why right now. I just really want you to love carrots.

Your mama giving you a gentle pat on the beach in Maui.

You Must Be a Gymnast Or Something - Week 18

Thank you for relaxing and relieving me of my morning sickness. I know now you are always starving and want to eat more and more. Did you like that Japanese restaurant, Shigezo? I understand it's good but you ate too much yo. Or am I just shifting blame to you? :p

Now I can feel you only a little bit. If I relax and touch my belly, I can feel you are moving around and around. What are you doing? Trying to get a comfortable position? Already practicing the tricks of BMX? If you are, your papa is proud of you! Not flatland though...whatever.

Since we moved to the new house, your papa worked a lot. 日曜大工(nichiyou-daiku) dayo. But not only on Sunday. So your papa looks a little tired these days. He is easy to get annoyed a little. But we are not fighting or arguing. Just tired. If you hear our not so good voices, don't worry. Proof of this, maybe you can feel the warmth of your papa's hands through my hands (he holds my hand at night always).

Baby Proof - Week 18

Here's a story for you, little one. When I was a little boy, maybe 3 or 4 years old, I recall my papa caught me inserting finishing nails into electrical sockets. Seemed logical. Here were a few nails and there was a hole in the wall. I was doing my part to tidy up the house.

Let's put aside for a moment the fact that at that age I could get my tiny hands on nails. In fact, it might have been something else and not nails at all. It's my story, and that's how I remember it. I had small metallic objects and I was determined to put them in the socket.

It's important to remember, this was the late '70s. The concept of baby proofing your house hadn't exactly swept the parenting nation. I think there might have been a baby gate, but beyond that, the house was a real life game of Pitfall.

(as an aside, I will also tell you, when I was a bit older, we're talking 6 or 7 years old, I sat in the front seat of my mom's car wherever we went. And when I say I "sat," I mean I stood on the seat, no seat belt. How the hell else could I see over the dashboard?)

Back to our story. In a case of fortunate timing, my papa happened to see what I was doing. Quickly putting two and two together and coming to the conclusion that his only son was about to do a Benjamin Franklin, my pop did what any loving father would...yanked me away from the wall and gave me a spanking.

This wasn't the first or last time I caught a beating. Most of the time I deserved it (I'll tell you someday about the time I took a whiz on the tree in the front yard...in broad daylight). This time however, looking back, I am going to say it probably wasn't something that should have ended up with my rear end on fire.

Times have changed. It's now the responsibility of the parent to cover up for the shortcomings of a toddler's instinct. We no longer believe in survival of the fittest or the Darwinian law of natural selection when it comes to our offspring. So, long story short, we've begun the process to "child proof" the new house.

I trust, given the blood that will flow through your veins, that you will find new and exciting ways in which to hurt yourself in our bubble-wrapped home. And when you do, it will be with no small amount of pride and nostalgia that I whip your butt.