A book, a baby, and a walk

Look how great my life is. I can combine three of my favorite things in one. I can put Airi in the baby carrier and let her sleep, but if I stop, she gets fussy, so I have to keep walking. But, if she is sleeping, then she does not want me talking or singing to her. So, I may as well read. And walk. And hold Airi close. How great is that?

Baby Seats

Last month, when we took Airi home from the hospital for the first time, I spent about an hour getting the car seat just right. It reminded me of another difference between American customs and Korean customs. In the U.S., we start our babies off in a rear-facing car seat. As they get bigger, we move up to front-facing car seats and then booster seats and then regular seat belts in the back seat. Finally, after a decade or more, children can sit in the front seat of a car.

In Korea, the best place for a newborn baby is in her mother's arms, even in a car. Babies can stay in their mother's arms for a few years until they learn to walk. Then, they can stand in the back or front seat and look out the windows. Next, they are old enough to run around the back seat. Eventually, they get tall enough to stick their head out the sun-roof. Finally, they get so big that they have to sit down in a seat. Of course, a seat belt is still pretty restrictive and is still optional.

Lullabies

Avram sings lullabies for Airi when she's fussy. He sings English songs, but the words are always changed. For example he sings "Poop poop, where are you?" with some camping songs.

He tells Airi, "You're the only one who doesn't run away when I sing a song." How can Airi run away? Even she can't stand up. But it's very interesting that his songs work very well to stop fussy Airi.

After Airi grows up and when she asks her friends about the songs she heard from his father, I'm sure no one knows those songs. But his songs are all funny, so she can make her friends laugh with the songs.

I am looking forward to listening to Avram's lullabies for tonight.

That Warm Loving Feeling

To celebrate the end of Rie's birthday, we gave Airi a bath. Airi ate lots of milk and then we changed her diaper. Once the water was ready, we took off her clothes and diaper and I carried her to the bathroom. I enjoy that special close feeling of holding my naked baby up to my chest and cradling her in my arms. The warm feeling spread all the way to my belly. After a moment, I realized that the warm feeling was only on my belly. Another moment of reflection brought the realization that the warm feeling was not emotional, it was physical. Airi had peed on me. Thank you my beautiful daughter for the wonderful memories.

"Welcome to our family."

Airi is a good girl. She already follows her father's bed time schedule. She also follows other things too.

When we hear farts and burps, now we ask who did it. Eventually I have to do them. Then my husband makes a big smile and says, "Welcome to our family!" He looks very happy then. Airi does a good one everyday. It seems like she learned them from one of her parents since she was in my belly.

Airi is growing up fast. She's longer and heavier, so it's hard to lift her up when I hold her. I don't go out for exercise these days, so lifting her is one of my exercises.

She started to smile back at us these days. She smiles after she eats, falls asleep, and stays in our arms. Her smiles make us happy very easily. Especially after not enough sleep.

She seems like that she talks recently. Avram and I often talk and answer to her. It's fun:)

She also started to use her hands when she eats and when she doesn't want us to bother her. It makes it easier to figure out what she wants.

The funniest thing is that she is surprised at hearing farts, burps, and hiccups by herself when she is falling asleep and unfortunately she wakes up. Then I have to start everything again such as breastfeeding, walking in the room and changing diapers:(

She likes that I hold her and walk in the living room. She sometimes checks by opening her eyes if I really work for her. She sometimes opens one of her eyes, sometimes opens half of her eyes to watch me. When I am cheating, she starts to warn and cry.

She's curious about many things around her in our place, so she's excited walking around in the living room. Me? I am tired of walking in the small room hundreds times in a day. It's very BOOOOOORING, so I look at her face. Then I get sick from watching one thing too close for a long time. When my eyes are closed eyes, then Airi's eyes become so too:D

Some of her clothes and her bath tub are already small for her. It's very nice to see that she's growing so well. Watch them in our videos. Enjoy!

That Special Time of the Year

We are now in that special time of the year, after I have had my birthday and before Rie has had hers. I am 16 days older than her and today is the exact half-way point between when I was born and when she finally got around to being born.

We have been sharing the stories about what our parents went through when we were born. My mother sat outside a classroom and took meticulous notes on the timing of her contractions while my father took a final exam on the other side of the door. Rie's mother got curious on the due date, so she crossed her small island and took a ferry to the town with a hospital on the next island. She went to the mid-wife's house and asked if it was time. The mid-wife checked and said "Yes, come on in." Rie was born a short while later.

I especially like this time of year because I can tell Rie things like "You may not understand now, but you will when you are my age" and "Respect your elders." I also get to tell her about the things that happened in my lifetime, but before she was born. Wings released their first album. The West German Chancellor received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Golden Gate Bridge had a blackout. Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan. "Diamonds are Forever" opened in the U.S. The Waltons came to T.V. and "A Clockwork Orange" opened.

The world has changed a lot in my lifetime. More so than it has in Rie's lifetime.

Rie Wants Steak

Rie has been wanting steak for a few days now. We had time this afternoon to walk over to one of our local Outback Steak Houses. When we go for a walk, I wear the baby carrier and Airi rides up front. She pretty much sleeps the entire time we are out of the house, especially if she is in the carrier.

I was able to enjoy my hot soup at lunch. Airi slept through it all.

Our big girl ベイビーベイビー

I'm happy that Avram makes Airi's video everyday and that our families in the world can see her in the videos all the time.

My sister, Chikako, told me that my mother talks to Airi in the videos. It sometimes scares her because my mother looks like she doesn't know if it's a video.

I told it to my mother. She laughed and said she's all right.

When I told about it to my sister-in-law, Asako, she told me everyone in her family talks to Airi in the videos more. I think everyone enjoys Airi's growing up.

Airi has two cousins, my brother's daughter Yuki and his son Konan.

Konan, 5 years old, said he has a baby toy. I asked if he will give it to Airi. He said he can let her use it. He has many things to do for Airi. He always talks to Airi on a phone. He's so excited when he hears Airi's cry. He says he can make a funny face to make Airi happy when she cries.

Yuki, 7 years old, said she wants to read books for Airi, but she can't speak English. She was surprised when I told her Airi can understand Japanese too. Then she said Airi was born in Korea, it means Airi is a Korean baby and she must speak Korean or English. Yuki is thinking that she can teach Japanese to Airi and that Airi can teach her Korean or English. Yuki says they can make friends in the world. That would be great:)

Airi is becoming fussy these days.

We change thousands of diapers. I breastfeed , but she still cries. She wants us to hold her and walk around the room. During daytime or in the evening, Avram can take his turn for it. But at midnight I have to do it by myself. I come and go in a small room hundreds of times. Fortunately and unfortunately she's becoming heavier for it day by day.

She seems like she's dreaming these days. She smiles more often. She turned over last night, which I didn't see. She sucks her hand. She has tears when she cries.

Even though her fussy time is sometimes not easy, as parents, it's great to see that she's growing up.

You will see her growing up in new videos soon today too.

"Where is my milk?" ミルクはどこ？

Airi cried for two reasons before. First is for pooping and second is for milk.

A few days ago, she started to cry for a third reason. It's for holding. These days she needs holding to fall asleep. It's a great time with her even though she's getting heavier.

Airi had a doctor's visit yesterday. Everything is good with her. She was sleeping during a shot, as usual. She gained 1kg and is 2.5cm longer than last month.

I was surprised that one month has passed so fast though it was very long to wait for her coming the last nine months.

Airi likes staying in Avram's arms, but it's funny to see she sometimes looks for milk there. She sniffs Avram's chest and tries to eat milk from his nipples. It's like an adventure in jungles, treasures in bush. Unfortunately she can't find them. Then she looks very disappointed.

I give Airi only breast milk, but it sometimes makes me tired from not enough sleep. I hope Avram can help for it. I mean I hope he can breastfeed though he needs to shave the hair on his chest first.

Airi is growing day by day. It's not only her body but also some other functions. For example, her eyes started to follow us and she has more smiles these days. Everything she does makes us very happy.

I feel sorry for Avram because he can't stay with Airi during daytime. But we're always at home for him:)

アイリの泣く理由は２つ、うんちとミルク。

２、３日前から３つ目の理由で泣くようになった。それは「抱っこ」。どんどん重くなるわが子だけど、抱っこをするのは幸せ。

昨日は１ヶ月検診。無事に成長をしていて、注射でも泣かずにずっと眠ってる。先月より体重が１キロ増えて、２．５ｃｍ身長が高くなっていた。

妊娠中はアイリと会える日があんなに待ち長かったのに、今は時の過ぎるのが本当に速い。

アイリはお父さんの腕の中がとても好き。すごくリラックスしている。でも、おかしいのは時々ミルクがほしいときにお父さんのおっぱいを探すこと。残念なことにそこは毛があったり、ペッタンコだったりでミルクにはたどり着けない。まるでジャングルの中の宝探しみたい。そんなとき、アイリはがっかりしたような顔をしている。

今は完全母乳育児。夜も２時間ごとに起きるから本当に疲れる。アブラムが母乳をあげられたら大助かりなのにと思う。そうなると胸毛を剃らなきゃいけなくなるけど。

アイリは体格以外も日々成長。目でものを追ったり、微笑返しをするようになった。その成長を見るとうれしくなる。

仕事で昼間のアイリを見られないアブラムはかわいそうだけど、いつでも２人で帰りを待ってる。

A fun Saturday run

After my marathon last month, I wondered if I could run 30 miles. Today I found out.

I got a nice late start and ran and ran and ran. I was pretty confident that I could complete the run. I had an easy course planned along the rivers. I also had a new, bigger hip belt with two big bottles for Gatorade. It also has a pocket for lots of snacks and money. The weather was cool, so even though the bag was heavy, my shorts, long pants, and t-shirt kept me from getting any chafing from the bag.

I have just started researching Ultra marathons (anything over 26.2 miles), but one thing I have learned so far is that it is important to take in lots of calories during the day. My computer says I burned well over 4,000 calories today. One of my main goals today was to see if I could eat Clif bars along the way and not get an upset stomach. No problems there, so I am happy.

One of the tips for long distance running I have read is the importance of taking walking breaks, especially for beginners. I took a five-minute walking break every hour. I think this probably helped, but I was still pretty tired and sore by the end. I am not sure if I just need more training, or something else, but I would like to get to the point where I can run an easy marathon and not feel sore at the end.

It was a great day. The only bummer was the one-hour train ride home. That is when my legs started to tighten up.

I wonder if I will manage a Sunday run.

A trip to the flower shop

We visited Rie's friend at her flower shop today. It was a relatively warm day, but still chilly enough to bundle Airi up.

The Day before Airi

The day before Airi was born, our friend Young Joo and her boyfriend took 201 pictures of us. You can see a few of them here.

Without Avram お父さんはお留守

Avram started to work from today. Airi and I stayed at home.

I didn't know the word "fussy," but I hear sometimes people use the word for babies. Actually, Airi is not so fussy even only two of us are here. She eats, poops, and sleeps. She just does them.
She sleeps, sleeps, and sleeps in the morning.

If you want to see Airi opens her eyes or she is active, you should come or call from 4:00am to 6:00am.

I usually don't do things I should do such as ironing, washing laundries, and showering the day before. I could do them in my pace. Avram sometimes asked me why I don't iron shirts the night before the day.
It's because I had a lot of time before he left for work. As Avram does know, we used to go to bed before nine and wake up around five. I could iron, make breakfast and lunch, and so on. But now I have to think of Airi. I have to do housework very quickly before she wakes up. I guess my family and friends have never seen I look like I am in a rush. Fortunately, Airi sleeps well during the daytime. She doesn't wake up even if our washing machine is so loud and a timer rings loudly. She's comfortable and calm at home.

I'm very happy to see her everyday.

Avram can see how much I worked at home by the bunch of diapers in the trash cans.

It's time to take a nap with her.

今日からアブラムが仕事に戻って、私とアイリは２人でお留守番。

今までFussyなんて単語は知らなかったけど、赤ちゃんを表す言葉でよく使われる。どうやら「ぐずる」っていう意味があるらしい。でも、アイリは寝てばかりいるから今のところその言葉はあてはまらなさそう。

寝てばかりのアイリだから、もしも目を開けたアイリを見たい人は朝の４時から６時に来てくれると見られます。

今まで家事を早め早めにやるなんてことはなくて自分のペースでしてたから、時々アブラムにどうして前もってやっておかないのと聞かれたことがあったけど、今はアイリがいるから、彼女が寝ている隙にすべてをすまさなきゃならない。幸いにも洗濯機やタイマーのうるさい音でもアイリは熟睡。いつも穏やかな顔して寝てる。その顔を見てると幸せを痛感。

アブラムはゴミ箱にたまったオムツの山で私が今日どれくらい働いたか察しがつく。

さて、アイリとお昼寝の時間。おやすみなさい。

Vacation Time

For the past two years, I have been saving up my sick leave at work for Airi. Now that she is here, I had a good excuse to use up three weeks of leave.

I have spent the past three weeks, washing dishes, hanging laundry, changing diapers, preparing bottles, feeding Airi, bathing Airi, shopping, cleaning spit-up, taking out trash, and helping around the house.

Tomorrow, I go back to work and will finally get a chance to relax. :)

Good Hygiene

Rie's sister, Chikako, attends a junior college on their home island of Amami-Oshima. Chikako's school had a school festival this weekend and Chikako's group wanted to make curry to sell. But, nobody wants to eat food made by dirty people, so it is customary in Japan for all of the students to bring in a stool sample for testing before the big day. Rie remembers doing this in high school as well. Rie says they check for the kind of worms that can lay eggs under your fingernails.

Unfortunately, Chikako was constipated and was unable to participate with her group in their fundraising activity.

Now, I am worried about those rice balls she made a few years ago.

Our new life with Airi アイリとの新しい生活

Three weeks ago, only Avram and I were at home. Now we have Airi here. This is wonderful.

Avram and I compared who changed Airi's diapers the most, but now we do it too many times. We can't count it.

Airi is a good girl. It's easy to take care of her. She cries only when she poops. Other times she is just sleeping or calm.

Now Avram and Airi are taking a nap. I am having lunch by myself. I like this quiet time three of us together.

Our life here is very peaceful.

３週間前まではアブラムと私だけの生活。今は振り向くとアイリがそこにいる。すごく幸せ。

アブラムとどちらが多くオムツを換えたか競争してたけど、今はもうあまりに頻繁だから数えられない。

アイリは世話のしやすいお利口さん。ウンチの時以外は穏やかに過ごしているか寝ている。

今、アブラムとアイリはお昼ね中。私は一人で昼ごはん。この３人の静かな時間が好きだな。

すごく安らかな生活。

My happy delivery :D 幸せ出産

We say delivery is like a giving birth to a watermelon in Japan. Watermelon was not enough. I felt a big and hard log was coming out.

Avram and I wanted to have natural delivery, so I said the doctor I don't need an epidural. But the log gave me so much pain. I was not sure I could stand it until the end.

I didn't scream, scratch, and break Avram's hands. I couldn't say anything from the pain. I had no energy for them. I just stood the labor quietly.

At the end of my delivery, the doctor saw I was having a lot of pain and recommended to have an epidural not only for killing the pain but also for c-section in case. I liked his suggestion. Thanks to the doctor, I got a good excuse to use an epidural.

The doctor said he will send some nurses for the epidural, but they didn't come. The pain was getting worse and worse. I said "Why don't they come? He said they will come soon. How long do I have to wait? Why don't they give me epidural now? Then it would be useless."
I was not going to use an epidural, but I complained about getting the treatment too slowly at the end of my delivery.

When I got the epidural, I could be in heaven. I was surprised at the effect of the epidural. It was like magic. I felt like I could have a few more babies then. I thanked the doctor even though he kept saying the baby has a big head like her mother every time we visited. He was right. Airi's head was round, but I made it. I delivered her safely:) Avram, Airi, and I worked together for the first time on Nov.2nd.

Now I respect every mother and thank many people who support us. I thank my husband Avram a lot.

Airi is a beautiful girl. She often smiles these days except when she poops. I guess pooping is like labor for her, so I understand how she feels then. She can cry and complain then. It's our pleasure to help her for it.

日本では出産はスイカを生むようなものだというけれど、スイカなんてものじゃなかった。大きな硬い丸太がころころ転がり出てくる感じ。

アブラムも私も自然出産がしたくて麻酔は要りませんっていっちゃたけど、あまりの痛さに本当に乗り切れるのか自信がなくなってきた。

私は泣き叫びもしなかったし、アブラムの手を壊すぐらい強く握りもしなかった。それより痛くてもう声が出せし、力が出なくて静かに出産に耐えた。

出産が終盤に入ってきた頃、ドクターが「麻酔はいらないって言ってるけど、万が一のことがあったら帝王切開に切り替えるから、今麻酔をうっておいたほうがいいと思うけど。」

先生、うまいこと言うねぇ。「万が一」って言葉に心がいともたやすく折れて、あんなに拒んできた麻酔を受けることにした。

「じゃ、看護士さんに来てもらうから。」と先生は去っていった。痛みはひどくなるのに看護士さんは一向に来ない。「先生、すぐ来てもらうって言ったのにぃ。なんで来ないの？あとどれくらい待てばいいの？今うたなきゃ役に立たないじゃない。」麻酔を受けるつもりはなかったのに、その痛さに声にならない文句が出る。

麻酔を受けるとそこはもう天国！その効き目はまるで魔法。あと数人は今出産できるよって感じ。先生が毎回「お母さんに似て頭の大きな子だから・・・。」って言って失礼だと思ってきたけど、でも、先生のおかげで幸せな出産ができたからすごく感謝。先生の言うとおり、アイリの頭は少し大きめだったけど、アイリとママの初めての共同作業で安産だったから本当に幸せ。

今は本当にすべてのお母さんがすごいなぁと思うし、祝福してくれたすべての人に感謝。そして何よりずっと私を支えてくれたアブラムに感謝。

アイリは本当にかわいい娘。最近、うんちを踏ん張る以外のときは微笑を返してくれる。ウンチの生みの苦しみはどうやら彼女にとっては産みの苦しみみたいだから理解できる。だから、ウンウンうなって文句を言ってても喜んでお世話をするよ。

Family Time

I took the past two weeks off from work. The three of us have been hanging out at home and getting to know each other. There has been lots of diaper changes and feedings at all hours of the day and night. Airi and Rie are both recovering well from their big introduction. Rie is up and moving around well. Airi's head is more round than cone-shaped now and she is one beautiful baby.

Happy 2-Week Birthday, Airi

Well, I guess birthdays and anniversaries are a good time to look back and reflect on where we have come from and where we are headed. Today is the two-week anniversary of Airi's birth and all sorts of memories of her first days are coming back to me as I sit and reminisce.

I remember two weeks ago today, when we headed to Jeil Women's Hospital in Haeundae Beach to wait for Airi to arrive. We checked into our private room and waited until Rie said it was time to go down to the delivery room.

After a bunch more hours, Rie announced that the wait was over and it was time to call in the professionals. The doctor agreed and the nurse transformed the bed into a birthing table. When it was time, I held Rie's hand and looked into her eyes. I was telling her how great she was doing and that we were almost there, when our eye-to-eye contact was blocked. One of the nurses had jumped up onto the head of the bed and was facing backwards. She was straddling Rie's head with one knee next to each ear. When the doctor said "Push", Rie pushed, and so did the nurse who was pushing on Rie's belly.

After a bit, the top of Airi's head was visible and after some more pushing, not much more had come out, so the doctor ordered a rest break. We all just waited for a few minutes in silence. It was a bit jarring to go from all of the activity and hubbub to nothing. I almost expected some elevator music to start up. Music for waiting. Once we were all recovered, and ready for some more, Rie and the nurse pushed and the doctor pulled.

At 8:26 pm on November 2nd, Airi was born.

She was 2.8 kg and 45.5 cm long. Airi was also a lovely shade of blue. After a few seconds of crying, she started turning red. The nurse held her up in front of Rie and counted off fingers and toes and other bits. I got to cut the umbilical cord, while Rie and Airi had some quiet time together.

Airi was whisked away for her inaugural bath and the doctor finished up with Rie. A bit after 9pm, we were all reunited and Airi lay down for her first meal.

Airi (愛理) CJ Fox

Avram's lullaby for me.

As I already told you, it sounds interesting to listen to "Hush, little baby" for me because the father buys too many things for his baby. I wonder if the baby believes her father when he tells her it was just a lullaby when she becomes a teenager.

I like the song which Avram made for my staying at the hospital. You can sing it with same music as "Hush, little baby."

Hush, if you can't eat Korean food, I'm gonna buy you a rice ball.
If that has some kimchee smell inside, I'm gonna try to take it out.
If you can't drink Tenjang-chigae, I'm gonna take the smell away... .

I hope he'll sing for me when I'm in labor.
It could help me to forget the pain.

I liked Korean food. I still like some very much, but I sometimes can't eat, even smell it after the morning sickness. Hopefully I can eat it again after the delivery.

Don't make me laugh

Many Japanese people think it should be romantic to marry to an American man because we learn many things about the U.S. by movies. People imagine the lives of American romance movies. For example, a boyfriend or husband calls their girlfriend or wife "honey," and she calls him "darling." In weekends, the man brings breakfast to their bed and feeds her. People think the life should be very sweet. But when you live with your partner, you don't have to call them "honey" or "darling" if you're always close to each other in your place.

In our case, we usually don't have to call our names because we're always together. We just talk. Avram says it sounds like I'm upset with him when I sometimes call his name. It happens to me, too.

The other day, Avram heard the sound of fart.(I'm sorry I always write about this, but this often happens around us though I don't know why.) I didn't! He didn't! Then I don't know who did. It could be Mameko. Anyway Avram thought it was me and asked me if I did it. I said no. He smiled. I could tell he's thinking I did, but I didn't. I said somehow the sound is familiar to him, so it must be his mishearing. Then he suddenly put his hands on my arms, looked at my eyes and said softly , "RIE, you burp and you fart... ." He kept saying something, but it was too funny he called my name and saying as if he's saying romantic words. I couldn't stop laughing and looking at his beautiful eyes, so I didn't hear his words until the end.

Every time he calls my name, tries to be serious to say some words, looks at my eyes very well, and pretends to be romantic, he makes me laugh a lot. I'm sorry, Avram. I can't be a good actress. I have no idea when we can be a couple like in American romance movies.

He calls me "Oi!" ( "hey" in Japanese) when he can't find me in a public place. Unfortunately it works better than my name. Then I can find him easily. He is smiling:D I wonder how many women look at him if he says "Oi!" in Japan. I should get used to hear he calls my name.

I will try to look at Avram like a romantic couple when he tries to be romantic before we have a baby. We'll see:)

Week 37 and 3days

It's so easy to gain my weight in the last month. My belly is getting bigger and bigger so quickly. I feel sorry for my belly skin.

Now I can understand how Sumo wrestlers' lives are.

These days I use and write the word "belly," so sometimes I get confused when I spell berries. I sometimes write bluebelly. It sounds very strange to see it.

Anyway, Mameko and I have been very well.
I do Yoga and go walking everyday. While Avram works hard, I work hard for Farmville in Facebook. It's my pleasure to support Avram, but harvesting his trees is so annoying:( It's a beautiful farm, but it's so so so annoying when trees are ready to harvest.
His character and I have to work harder than Avram. I feel sorry for his character because he must walk to harvest here and there all day.

Time to do Yoga. I'm looking forward to seeing Mameko at doctor's visit tomorrow:D

What shall we talk about?

My parents sometimes wonder and talk what they will talk between them after my younger sister leaves home. Fortunately they try to have the same hobby or common things which they both enjoy together. It's farming so far. They like to grow organic vegetables for their children and grandchildren.

A few days ago, Avram and I were taking a nice walk in Haeundae Beach. We talked about the solution of farts. I said I remember how the smell is like when I hear the sound of farts. He said it doesn't smell when I hear the sound, it means I can use my imagination to change the smell to any kinds of flavors. Maybe it's true, but it's not so easy. I said people should put some aroma oils on their butts, then I could smell it. Avram said probably dish washing soap is better for it. Even though he didn't finish his words, I got what he meant. I asked him if he meant we can see colorful bubbles from the person. He was smiling.

We Japanese say we understand each other from the silence. We don't need words to express feelings. It means we understand the other one well. It's sometimes true and it sometimes doesn't work. I guess it's working between Avram and me so far, but I wonder if we will still talk about these topics even though our children grow up. I just can imagine our children could join us to Avram's wonderland.

When we turn to our parents' age, I wonder what we will be talking about. I hope we still enjoy traveling all over the world and talk about it with our families.

Recovery Complete

After the marathon last weekend, I was a bit sore. I wanted to start running again on Wednesday, but I was too busy at work. I did not get a chance to run until Saturday. I went for a great 13 mile run. The middle few miles were along a path that was new for me. During the run, I realized that the marathon training program I did for 16 weeks really was just a way for me to get in good enough shape to do what I want to. What I really want to do is explore as much of the city and surrounding areas as I can by running.

So, now my new goal is to maintain my current fitness and see how long my long runs can become. Also, I will start bringing my bus pass so that my 4 hour runs can be one way. I should be able to see lots more new areas that way. I have also been eying the nearby mountains as possible destinations.

I don't know what Mameko will do to my schedule, but I will try to keep in shape until she is ready to be pushed in a running stroller.

Ethnic

Rie's latest thoughts on being Asian in America and Japanese in Asia reminds me of something I found confusing in American super markets.

When we are looking for Japanese food, we go to the ethnic aisle and we can find all sorts of food from around the world, including from Japan.

When we are looking for hair care products, we go to the appropriate aisle, but the people pictured on products labeled "Ethnic" don't look anything like Rie.

How can Rie be ethnic on aisle 3, but not ethnic on aisle 10?
Does she lose her ethnicity somewhere around aisle 6?
Do they make this announcement after we leave? "Clean up on aisle 6."

Asians

I can see cultures, customs, food, thought, ideas, and so many things came from China through Korea to Japan. Even medical care and giving names to babies.

I guess that's why people think I'm Asian when I'm in the U.S.. People don't see me as Japanese. In Asian countries, we say China, Korea, Japan, and other countries in Asia are all different. But when we are in western countries, we often can understand the basis of people's thought. We can see similar sense of feelings.

Yes, thinking of baby names is not so easy for us. Sounds like for my other Asian friends too. But the name is our first gift for our baby, so it's very important and fun to work for it. Don't worry I always ask Avram what he thinks.

Time to think and talk about her name.

Talk to you later,
Rie

Baby Names

You may think that naming a baby is pretty straight-forward. If you are not Japanese, you might even be right. I think many Americans give a name to their baby because it sounds nice, or it is the name of their favorite singer, or because it is their name, or because it is another family member's name. Sometimes, they might look up its origin and what the name means, but that is usually an after-thought.

Rie, on the other hand, is taking our role in naming our child very seriously. In Japan, you don't worry about the sound so much as the meaning. Rie has been looking for good characters from the Japanese writing system that they borrowed from the Chinese. But, it is not enough to just find good meanings. It is also important to count the number of strokes each character takes, how many strokes of the pen each name takes, and even how many strokes the last letter of the family name and the first letter of the given name total. It all seems very exhausting to me, but luckily Rie has the energy and skill to name a baby.

Here is a picture of one page from the notebook Rie uses to do her work:

Test Results

Last week, Rie had some tests done at the doctor's office. She had an x-ray, an ekg, and a blood test, just to see if everything is going okay near the end of the pregnancy.

We got the test results today - sort of.

Rie received a text message on her cell phone today. It said "Your late pregnency test is Normal. Have good time.>>(jeil woman hospital)"

Such a great husband!

Avram had looked forward to the marathon for four months. He did the training very well.

Yesterday we went to the stadium for the marathon at 5:30 am even though it started at 8:00 a.m. I wondered why we need to leave so early. It was for our baby Mameko and me:)

We got to the stadium around 6:00am and got the best spot to follow and see his run. He brought a down jacket, gloves, warm hat, and ear cover. He told me I should bring my winter shoes, but I forgot. I wore summer sandals instead. It was colder than I thought. I needed those things to warm Mameko and myself. He said "See, I told you. You don't listen to me and don't write down what I say." That's the word that I usually say to him. Does it mean we don't listen to each other everyday? Anyway he was right. I needed the things he brought for us all day yesterday. Thanks to him, I could enjoy cheering him and making a video of his run outside in the morning.

We have two Korean university students we help with their English practice. Avram is good at letting people have confidence and motivation. He listens to people and encourages them well. Those students are comfortable in the English class and now they try to talk in English more and more. I always wish I could have been like him when I was a teacher. Those two students enjoy the class very much. I like to see their smiles in the class.

I like the reasons why Avram runs, how he enjoys himself, and how he thinks of others. I learned hiking, backpacking, and biking. I have learned how to enjoy the life and how to create it everyday. It's fun to share many things with him.

I can tell marriage to a foreigner is not the problem. Everything depends on the person. If you have a good communication and think of the other, it could work for making each other happy.

My family loves Avram. They know he's great. One problem is they think that I tricked such a wonderful man into the marriage. I can't tell whose fault it was. He chose me too:D

Dear Milo,
Is this just his trick?

That's "Wow!"

I have seen some "Wow!" things in Korea. For example driving at red lights, going on sidewalk by scooter, and pushing people away without "Excuse me." This morning I had an other very unusual experience.

I went to a women's bathroom. Fortunately it was very early morning, so only I was in the bathroom. I went in a toilet. Then I heard some people. I was surprised those Ajumas(elderly women)'s voice was very low like men's. More people came, but their voice were low too. While they were talking in toilets, I was wondering if they are women. I was not comfortable to hear them in the bathroom. Also the scent of something pervaded the air after a while. When I went out the toilet, one man came out from the other toilet and more men came out from others. There were six rooms in the bathroom. Except mine, men were in other bathrooms. I felt relieved they tried not to go up and see if mine is empty.

Probably their idea is practical, but it's very uncomfortable for me. When I went outside, a young woman came in. She saw many men were in the bathroom. She wondered if it's women's side and checked the sign. She seemed like she doubted I'm a woman. I wonder if it means Korean women go to men's bathroom if they were empty even if other men are there. Can those men finish working then?

Another Fun Marathon

Today was the culmination of my 16 week training schedule. It was a cool, sunny, and windy day. Great for running. Me and a few thousand other people lined up at 8 am to wait for the starting gun. There were lots of announcements in Korean for me to ignore. At one point, everybody stopped milling around and got in single file lines. They all gave shoulder rubs to the person in front. Then they turned around and returned the favor. That was something uniquely Korean to me.

After a lot of talking and many rounds of less and less enthusiastic applause, the balloons were released, the cannon boomed, and the shredded paper was blown into the air. We were off.

My goal for this race was to go slow enough to enjoy the whole thing and not be too sore afterward. Unfortunately, that is difficult to do when the crowd is cheering, the racers are zooming by, and the weather is so lovely. I wanted to keep my pace at almost 10 minutes per mile, but I was well under 9 minutes per mile for the first hour or so.

The course looped back and forth upon itself a few times and criss-crossed the city. Much of it was also along the river or out among the rice fields. It was very pleasant. I checked my watch frequently and tried to slow down, but did not have much success.

After a bit over an hour, I passed Rie on the side of the road and stopped to say hello. After a quick, out and back, I passed her again in the same spot and stole a kiss at the turn of a mile. Now I was only two hours from the end and still feeling good.

Unfortunately, the drink stations on this run were about 30 minutes apart. That was a bit spread out for me and I often found myself thirsty. However the sponge stations were frequent enough for me to keep the concentrated salt from my drying sweat from burning my eyes.

About an hour into the run, the man running with a big blue balloon that said "4:00" on it passed me by. He was setting a 4 hour pace for the run and many people were trying to keep up with him. Since, my target time was 4:15, I was happy to see him go by. I lost track of him in the distance and concentrated on slowing down. A while later, I spotted the balloon about 1/2 mile ahead. He stayed there for the better part of two hours.

Keeping the 4 hour group in sight started to play with my mind and I ended up having delusions of adequacy. I thought "If I can keep them in sight to mile 20, I can slowly reel them in the final 6 miles and finish in under 4 hours." Even though I did no speed work in my training, I figured a strong kick at the end could see me through.

By mile 20, the 4 hour balloon had disappeared in the twists and turns of the city, and I was suffering from the fast start. They say that the marathon is three races: two 10 mile races and a final 10km run. I enjoyed the first 10 mile run. I got tired on the second 10 mile run. During the 10km run, my legs started to get pretty heavy. I slowed down a lot and was eager for the end. I was paying for not sticking to my race plan. Also, it turns out that my strong final kick was last seen in my final cross-country race in 1986.

I finished in a disappointing 4:08. I was hoping for a much slower and more comfortable 4:15. In some of my previous races, I tried to go faster, but for this one I was trying out the theory of "Value Running." The theory here is that I spent a lot of time and effort training for this 26.2 mile race, I didn't want it to end too quickly. But, it did.

I did my final half-lap in the Gyeongju stadium, got my finisher's medal, and enjoyed some snacks.

I tried to stretch well, but there is still some soreness in my legs. I probably won't ride my bike to work tomorrow.

A Fun Weekend

Yesterday, Rie and I headed up to Gyeongju. This was my third visit and Rie's fourth. Gyeongju is famous for its history, museums, temples, and resort areas.

We got up there after lunch and checked out the parking and reception areas for the marathon. The stadium was busy with some sort of Lions Club festival/competition, but there were a few signs up for the marathon.

From there, we headed to our Pension up in the hills. Rie's friend just opened the EuroVille Pension. It is located at the end of a dirt road and well within earshot of many roosters. We stayed in the England Villa and had a great room. There was a picnic bench and BBQ out front and a kitchen in the front room. The bathroom was big enough to have a big plastic lounge chair in it, for those who need to rest in the middle of a shower or bath.

After a buffet dinner at a nearby hotel, we turned in for the night and slept soundly for a few hours. At 5 am we woke up and went to my marathon. After that, we came home and Rie napped for a while.

Tomorrow, it is back to work for me and Rie can relax some more.

All's well with the baby

We had two successful visits to the doctor in the past two weeks. The videos don't seem to work on my computer, so no new pictures. But, that is fine, because the last two videos were short and you could not really see much.

Rie had some blood tests and other extra tests this week. We did not get any phone calls, so I guess all is good there.

We spent an extra 30 minutes with the doctor on Friday and asked all sorts of questions about the delivery and post-delivery. I can cut the cord if I want, the hospital will provide night-gowns for Rie, and I have to bring a blanket for myself to use when I sleep on the couch.

Our next visit is in two weeks. That will be week 37 and the beginning of the normal window for delivery.

One week to race day

One week from today I will be enjoying the Gyeongju Marathon. We have reservations at a nice Pension and will drive up there on Saturday.

Today, my race packet came in the mail. It included a really nice long-sleeve shirt, a timing chip, my numbered bib, a race booklet and a 10% off coupon for an asics product. Not the best swag bag ever, but the race was not that expensive and the shirt is one of the best I have ever gotten. There is absolutely no advertising on the back.

The race booklet had pictures of all the international stars who will be competing in the elite category and a map of the course. The course seems to follow the river mostly, so it should be fairly flat. I should have no trouble finishing in well under the 5 hour limit. Also, the course passes near the Start/Finish line twice, so Rie should get to see me a few times during the race. It looks like it finishes with a half-lap around the municipal stadium, so there should be a good crowd and lots of energy at the finish.

I am still bummed about only running 11 miles this weekend, but my training schedule got me to an enjoyable 23 mile run two weeks ago, so I may as well follow it until the end next Sunday.

Avram gets excited.

Avram is always calm. He thinks of our families first. It makes me very happy.

This season, he's a little bit busy for watching college football and U.S. soccer. Then you can see he gets excited.

He sits in front of the computer and doesn't look at me at all. When his team gets points, he turns to look at me and smile with saying "Yeah!" When his team is losing the game, he gets shocked and put his face to the floor and hits it. It looks like he sees the last of the world. It's fun to see that Avram.

I'm nice as a wife even if he doesn't listen to me at all during the game. I waited for him for a few hours until the games finished today. I pretended I'm reading a book though I don't like to read.

I guess playing or pretending to be a nice wife or husband makes the life happier and easier. It has worked for us so far:)

P.S. I don't mean we tell lies to each other. Thank you.

Sorry, Avram.

Thanks to our families and friends, we have many baby things now. Today I washed brand new clothes, which we bought for our baby this summer.

Now no place to dry Avram's laundry.

Sorry, Avram. Maybe you're not my first person today:D

Love,

your wife

"When you were born,"

When the due date, November 17th is coming closer, our parents and grandparents tell us how we were born, what happened then, and how they were. It is great to hear that.

Japanese people don't talk about it so much. The reason why they don't tell it to their children depends on the person. Especially my mother doesn't talk about herself. But now she starts to tell me about my father and her. Finally I learn about my parents. They had a good story how they fell in love.

I like to hear how our parents felt when they had us, how Avram was born, what kind of boy he was, and so on.

I will tell about it and how Avram and I feel when we have the baby to our daughter. Then she will know how much her families love her.

Mameko vs/& Avram

Avram was fixing the computer with a screwdriver in the living room when I came in yesterday. When he saw me, he tired to shoot his bellybutton screwdriver missile to my belly. Of course, he was joking because he loves me:D But, Mameko was upset with her father's tries, so she tried to kick and punch him hard. Her hard work was a little painful for me.

Avram said she's not attacking him. He said she was trying to catch the screwdriver for their communication. According to him, he knows it because he's her father. I don't know if it's their communication or fight, but either way only I DO get hurt from it. That's not fair :(
If it's true he's having a nice communication with his daughter, why does he have that way to his wife?

We both have nice big bellies now, we sometimes have the contest. Avram is trying to catch me, but he can't beat me anymore. He's losing his weight from his big runs. He lost nine pounds in a few months. Our weights are getting closer, but hopefully I won't get to his weight.

In Japan, pregnant women's weight control is very strict. I am not so serious about it, but I try not to eat too much for Mameko and me.

P.S. I'm not carrying a watermelon.

Mameko is very active, especially when she hears her father:)

21st Century Heartbeat Music Therapy

We got a CD in the baby class. It's an original recording of classic nursery songs set to a real human heartbeat. According to the CD jacket, it's proven by research to calm babies and stop crying.

One night, we listened to it. We could hear the heartbeat in the songs. When we listened to Mary Had A Little Lamb, Avram said it should be "Mary had a pink i-phone, pink i-phone, pink i-phone" these days. It makes sense. Times have changed. Those songs could change too, but I like original one.

Though I like original songs, I wonder if the father in Hush Little Baby spoils the baby too much.
The father buys many things everytime his baby cries. When does the baby learn patience?

I learned one thing from this CD quickly. It is that this CD works for Avram very well. It already worked. He would fall asleep earlier than our baby and wouldn't wake up for her at midnight.
Now we have to talk about the day schedule and who stays up with the baby every night.

Marathon Training Update

Despite two crossings of the International Date Line and several weekends of family visits, I have been able to maintain my marathon training program. It is now only 3 weeks until the big day.

Yesterday was the day I had been looking forward to the most since I started my 16 week training program. It was my longest training run - 20 miles. For me, I enjoy the long training runs a lot. The next three weeks are the taper. I will run less and less up until the 18th of October. Then I will run a marathon.

When I participate in a marathon race, I enjoy the camaraderie with the other runners, the right to run in the middle of the street and stop traffic, the atmosphere of people who care about their health, the enthusiasm of the crowds, the excitement of the start and finish lines, the dedication of the race volunteers, the t-shirt, and the fact that a 4+ hour run can be fully catered.

But, as much as I enjoy the marathon race, the 3 and 1/2 hour solo training runs are the highlight of the whole 16 week process for me. I get to explore new areas on my own and ask for directions from people who wonder how I got way out there and where I am headed. I also get to focus on one outdoor activity for an entire morning with no distractions.

Yesterday's run took me along the coast from our house, up a river that cut across the city, over a gap in the mountains and down to the city of Yangsan. It was a great run and even the hour long subway ride home was not too bad.

My schedule called for a 20 mile run, but the route I planned was 21 miles. A few wrong turns in the hills, and it ended up being 23 miles to the train station. I thought about running another 4 miles and making it the longest run of my life, but I was getting a little hot and thirsty by then. I am now in my taper for the marathon, but I am hoping that my enthusiasm carries over into November and I can try for a 30 mile run by myself. We'll see what Mameko has to say about that.

In the picture below, you can see how I spent 3 hours and 45 minutes yesterday morning.

Avram's bellybutton attacks

Do husbands and wives learn about each other until we die?

One day he asked me to play the game of "rock-paper-scissors." I said OK.
He did it under my big belly, so I couldn't see his hand! He cheated!! He did again and again. We couldn't decide anything with rock-paper-scissors then.

Today I was lying down on a futon. Avram was standing by me with a pen in his hand. He had a wicked smile. He suddenly stuck the pen in his bellybutton and swelled his belly, then pushed the pen into his bellybutton and shot it to me! It hit me many times. Unfortunately I can't move so quickly now, so it was hard to attack him back.

He seemed nice before we married. He didn't tell me that he uses belly language. I would learn about him more in my life.

Baby class

We went to a Baby class last Thursday.
We learned how to hold a baby, how to change a diaper, and so on.

The instructor asked how to hold the baby. When I saw Avram, he was picking the doll's toe and hanging it in the air:(

When the instructor asked what we should do when the baby cries, Avram was ready to pass the doll away to someone with smiling. Sigh... .

Avram was disappointed when he heard babies often wake up and cry at midnight. He said I can take care of the baby at night and he will during daytime. After the class we went to the library and he borrowed about twenty books. I asked why he needs so many books. He answered he reads while he's taking care of the baby and while I'm taking a nap. I said babies don't read leadership, economy, and SF stuff yet. He said we don't have to read only children's books. That's true, but I can't believe those books are for our baby.

In father's class, the instructor asked fathers what they want to teach to their children. One father said love and background of his family. Avram was saying speaking, walking, and exercising. Then I said "Answer seriously." He answered different things.
After the class I asked him if he doesn't want to tell our baby about our background, the differences, and so on. He said no. It's because motor skills are first and then learning, thinking, and e.t.c.. That's true motor skills helps to develop brains. He has a point.

He can't wait for taking our baby out, especially for his running. He thinks the baby could help his running. He thinks the baby could give him a towel or a bottle of water when he needs just like a god with a thousand hands.
Now he is thinking about his birthday hike with our new born baby though she should be only twenty days old. I won't let him do that in winter yet!

Please don't worry about our parenting. Even though Avram was having fun in the class, he listened to the instructor well and answered right. We got three prizes for three quizzes.
In those twenty books, some are about taking care of babies. He's looking forward to seeing his baby and taking care of her.

I'm happy that he has a good sleeping and nap schedule for our baby. Even now he's taking a nap because he's tired from his twenty mile run yesterday:)

Father and daughter

Finally Avram and I are together again. We are very happy now:)

Avram sees and feels my bigger belly now. He sees Mameko's moving and can touch it.
When Mameko moves big, Avram asks me how I can do that and he tries. He says, "Look at me, look at me!" and shows his belly. He does belly dance and it makes me laugh. I say "It's not your baby. You can see it next morning." He says,"You're right. I can't keep it for many months like you do." That's disgusting, Avram! I imagined that!!

He sometimes pokes my coming out belly button. I say, "Don't do that, otherwise I will get stomachache." He says, "Why? It's the window to talk to my daughter." Then he starts to talk to his daughter.
"Your mom is listening to us. Let's talk later when she's not here." and asks me "Why are you always with her? Don't bother father and daughter's conversation."
What a cute father he is!

The doctor said the place of placenta, umbilical cord, and Mameko are all fine. It means her head is bottom now. Last night Avram was saying, "You know a badminton shuttle. The round part is heavy. That's why it's always bottom." He meant our baby has a big head like me.
Fortunately she kicks her father when he's rude to her and me. I love it!! I guess Mameko and I can practice soccer to beat her father. We'll be a perfect team:D

"Take turns to visit me."

My 5 year old nephew Konan visited his grand parents in Amamioshima without his parents this summer. His grandpa Shinya helped him to make a boat, swim, and walk in the river. Konan loves fish, so Shinya took him to show Konan's favorite tropical fish by a half submarine and to an aquarium. They also saw some fish when they were swimming in the beach near our house.


Konan was a mama's boy. But he did men's stuff with his grandpa, so he's proud of himself as a man and thank his grandpa now. After Amamioshima, Konan likes to do or play with his father or his boy friends.


My mother and His other grandfather Shohei( his mother's father) often call and visit their grandchildren. When they call him, Konan says "Time to talk to other grand parent." and makes them change the person who talks on the phone.
When my mother and the other grandpa Shohei say, "I'm visiting you to see your sports day." He says "No, you can't. It's not your turn. Next is Grandpa Shinya's/Grandma Chako's turn. Take turn to visit us. Otherwise you might fight each other."

This time, my mother gives up to go to see his sports festival because it's Grandpa Shinya's turn to visit them.

Now Konan likes to talk man to man. He always asks my mother if his grandpa is there to talk with him. My mother is happy and sad about it.


Konan says it's Avram and our daughter Mameko's turn to visit him next time. He can't wait for talking with them. It's fun to see his growth very much.

Baby Growth

Our baby is less than 32 weeks old, but as you can see from the picture below, her head is already well over 34 weeks old. 34 weeks and 5 days according to the notations at the bottom left. Dr. Young stressed several times that her head is not too big, it is just round, so that the normal measurements of cranial diameter are not as accurate as with a pointy headed baby. Most of Rie's family have big heads, so Rie had to kick me to stop me from laughing in the doctor's office.

We did not get any good pictures of the nose, but on the video you can tell that her nose seems to represent her Jewish heritage well.

As for overall body weight and length, Mameko is perfectly normal in the Asian baby measurement system, and a little small for a European baby. Since she is half American, half Japanese, and going to be born in Korea, I figure she is two-thirds Asian, so no worries there.

Visiting hours

We just got back from our latest visit to the doctor. I enjoyed the anticipation in the car of driving someplace to see our loved one. As usual, our visit was closely monitored and we were not allowed to touch or pass any items back and forth. We had to wait our turn to go into the visiting room and were only given a short amount of time before the people in charge told us to leave. But, Mameko seems to be doing well. She is now more than 31 weeks into her 40 week sentence and we are looking forward to her release in mid-November.

We managed to get a copy of the security camera video. It is your standard black and white surveillance video with no sound, but if you pay close attention, you can make out a big round face and a nice nose.

Rie in Japan

Rie has been having a fun month in Amami Oshima with her family.

Below is the island at the end of the river in the ocean near her mother's village.




Next is the more and more pregnant Rie. Behind her is the river and behind the first hill on the right is the village.




Rie's mother, step-father, and sister at the river.

Walking from the village to the ocean along the river.

"How to save money" Yuki's tip

This morning, I was talking to Yuki and Konan. Konan asked me what our house in Busan is like. I told him it's nice, but we used to live in a small apartment in Virginia. Then Yuki asked why we lived in a small place. I told her we didn't have enough money then. Of course I was joking. Yuki said she can rend me some money and showed her piggy bank. She keeps Japanese coins and one dollar bill which Avram gave her last January. I said "Thank you. I will save some money for our baby from now. But this is for you. Next time when I need it, please lend me." Yuki said she will.

Konan looked sad when Yuki and I were talking and said he didn't have enough money. He almost started crying. He was cute and I laughed at his words. Konan was upset and said, "I'm not kidding! I'm serious! Don't laugh!" Konan called Yuki to his room and asked how he can make some money. Yuki gave some tips about it. "You don't have to use all the money every time when you get. Save some into your piggy bank. Then you will see more money next time when you open the piggy bank and will be happy:)" Konan said he'll try, but I doubt it.

Three of us studied after talking about money. They do every morning during summer vacation. I gave them English practice notebooks. They loved them. Especially Konan practice counting numbers in English and writing them.

We talked to Avram on the phone this morning. I feel sorry to Avram because it's hard to understand them for him, but they enjoy talking to him very much and can't stop it.

After that they started helping their mother. Yuki washed dishes with me and Konan vacuumed rooms. I realized I could be more lazy if I train my husband and children with house work. It could help our children to be independent.

In the afternoon, we watched a Japanese cartoon by Hayao Miyazaki. Then they played outside and swam. They help their parents and also have a lot of fun. I can see how to raise children this summer and it's fun.

"We miss Avram!" and "Hello" to Mameko

My 7 year old niece Yuki and 5 year old nephew Konan were happy I came back to Japan, but they both asked where Avram is. I told them he's in the U.S.. Konan said "That's not fun! He might come later. Let's go to pick him up to the airport again." My family is disappointed that he couldn't come back with me.

Yuki and Konan touched my belly and talked to the baby. "Hello, I'm Konan." "Hi, Mameko. I'm Yuki. We're your cousins. Do you know that?" Then Yuki read a book for our baby and Konan.

Konan often comes to feel Mameko move inside me. I'm glad the two of them are so excited about their cousin.

Today Mameko was active to say good bye to her father Avram at the airport and to talk to her cousins. I guess she feels what's going on.

Mameko, my family and I all miss Avram in Japan.

Culture Shock in Japan

I hadn't been in Japan for seven months. I already got culture shock when I got to the Fukuoka airport today.

First bus drivers are so nice to people in the bus and drive very very safely.

Second when I used the bathroom, the toilet spoke. It says "If you touch the panel or if you open the door, it flushes automatically." Japanese women feel embarrassed to make noise when they pee, so the toilet plays sound of river to drown out the noise.

Third I missed Japanese food. I had tempura-soba for lunch. I was surprised at not red color food, not strong smell and not spicy food.

Fourth Japan Air Line lets people who need some help such as elderly people, handicapped people, children who travel by themselves, and pregnant women get rides first. I got the service today. A man led me to the airplane and made the way for me. He said "Excuse me, let us go please." I was a first person to get a ride. Then the flight attendant gave me a small magazine and a toy for my baby. That was an interesting experience in my country. I wonder what kind of experience Avram will have in his country for the next one month.

Nose Up Roller

The Dollar Store in Japan is called Daiso. Most of their cheap stuff comes from Korea, so it makes sense that Daiso opened some shops in Korea as well, even if most of their products are written in Japanese.

In the case of the Nose Up Roller pictured here, they were obviously aiming for an international audience. The name of the product is written in Japanese, English, French, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic.

I have not yet used it to "make my nose look better during the break time use." Nor have I tried to "enjoy your nose massage stimulating your skin." But, I plan to shortly.

We had two house-guests from Japan last weekend. They noticed our new matching pair of Nose Up Rollers and wondered why we need them. They said our noses are already good.

I did not really have a good explanation.

Urban Bike Repair

Every month or two, the bike shop truck parks downstairs. He has a full range of children's bikes, as well as repair facilities for bigger bikes. It looks like a great job to me.

Week 26 and all is well

We had another good visit to the doctor today. Rie drank some sweet orange liquid and then gave blood for the diabetes test. After that, the doctor made another baby video for us. All looks good.

Our family counselor Yuki

My mother loves to talk with her grandchildren on the phone. She enjoys the conversations much more than before these days because my niece and nephew talk a lot.

My seven year old niece,Yuki is our family counselor. When we have some problems in our family, we ask her what we can do. My mother often asks Yuki about her second daughter.

My 23 year-old younger sister Chikako always sleeps late. The other day my mother complained she doesn't help with the house work when she's at home, so I said "Ask Yuki to wake her up. " My mother called Yuki, "Please talk to Chikako and tell her she should help her mother." Yuki said ok. She talked to Chikako.

Yuki : "Chika-nechan, you should help your mother. Wake up now and help her. Let's make your day schedule! What time do you want to go to bed and wake up everyday? I usually go to bed around eight and wake up at six. Let's do it!"

Chikako : "No way! I go to school during daytime and then work at night. I come home late everyday. I can't do it."

Yuki : "I see. Then you can't do that. Let me talk to my grandma. I will talk it to her for you."

Yuki : "Grandma, she can't do that because she works hard. If you get tired from your house work, please work for ten minutes and have ten minutes rest. It could help you."

She is funny. She seems like she has thought deeply all the time and her words are like lessons for us, especially to Chikako. They are like just friends or Yuki is Chikako's senior.

Yuki wonders many things. Why her friends can be mean to their friends, why they are sometimes nice to her but sometimes are not, or why bears hibernate during the winter, but how about people etc... . Then she says, "Let's look it up in books!"

She also likes to ask about words from news on TV to her parents. Her parents have to explain all of her questions. My sister-in-law says it's sometimes very difficult to give her answers.

My mother and her husband talked after they talked with Yuki on the phone. "Yuki would be like Rie. She could fix our problems and control our family well."

I was a quiet girl. I mean I have been a quiet person. I didn't talk so much like Yuki, but I am good at working for making our family be closer.
I told my mother they need the one who works for the family in each generation. She agreed and she's happy about it.

The Baby Looks Good

We went to a different doctor today for a Level II ultrasound. I was not permitted into the exam room, but according to Rie, everything looks good. The doctor counted toes and fingers and organs and other parts that Rie did not know the names of. The doctor also said that to the limits of the test, the heart looks fine.

Our next appointment is in two weeks with our regular doctor to test Rie's blood sugar.

Other than that, Rie is gaining weight and eating more than me. :)

Japanese poop

Rie seems to make a big deal about bodily functions, but as you can see from the video below, the Japanese seem very comfortable with such discussion.

Our baby is as long as his... ?!

We take a walk every evening. It's a good time to talk about many things together.

Yesterday I was telling Avram that our baby's height is 30cm this week. Then he said, "Oh, it's as long as my poop in the morning!" I asked him who compares your baby with your poop. He said he just wanted to show his sympathy with me. According to him, he thought he could show it because both of them come out from your belly. Sigh.

After the walk, I was reading a magazine. I told him the baby is 600g. Then I saw his smile, so I said "Don't compare our baby with yours." He looked sad because he couldn't try to say... .

When we were going to bed, he asked me if we need a baby bed. I said our American futon is probably soft for the baby. Then he said he has a good idea for it. He said we can buy a plastic case to store for our baby. He thinks it's the best size and easy to carry. Avram, Avram:(

We are thinking we will give our baby a Japanese name with Chinese characters. Avram said it should be easy for his family such as geisha, ninja, sushi, fuji, and so on. No way! She might be able to be popular in the U.S., but she couldn't have any friends in Japan.

We are happy if the baby was a boy or a girl, but we asked the doctor which the baby is because we have to think of his/her name. The doctor said we should buy pink stuff. It means it's probably a girl. I'm happy to hear that, but according to Avram's smart brother's comment in our blog, we should think about having a boy baby. Brothers!

I wonder how long people can try not to pass a gas to other people. Unfortunately I did it when we were having a nice walk in a private beach in Jeju.(It was my first and last one in official.) Avram heard something and made a big smile. I could tell he was happy to hear that. Then he said it was his first time to see a bird put his wing to his nose holes and fell down from the sky. I said don't say silly to him, but after a while we walked, we saw a dead bird crushed to the beach. A lot of feathers were around there.
Of course, Avram was happy he could prove his word. Then I wonder how many birds he hit in his life.

Now we have many things to think about our baby, but I guess I have to consider about my husband first better.