Emiko talks

Every time I change Emiko's nappy (diaper) we have a little talk to each other about how the days going.
 It's pretty cute and it's one of the highlights of my day.
 I realized I needed to record it though for family and friends and for Emiko when she's older.
I love it and I love her.

Girls

Yuki set this all up and laid down and asked me to take a picture to put on the blog.
So I did.
I hope these two are good mates.

Masaru

 So here's some of Masaru's latest art work.
We did an 'Art Walk' the other week and we got to go around the school looking at all of the latest and greatest he's done.
It was pretty awesome to see.

 I wish I'd gotten a picture of this up amongst the others.
There was a whole wall full of these green papers with 'bean work' of different animals.  Straight away I knew which one was Masaru's.
No other child had done a kiwi of course.
It makes me very happy.
Isn't it so cute?

 I'm glad we all got to go as a family and look around at all of his work.
He showed us around like he was the volunteer worker.

 This one is funny as he's never eaten cauliflower........maybe he eats it at school.
And I don't let him drink soda either.

 Love this bird picture.

 Bit of water colour.
I never was good at that media.

Com on we all know what this is here in Boise................these annoying geese that leave their poop everywhere man.
They don't even fly home for the winter..................................I'm gonna start paintballing them.

Masaru went for his physical the other day with Emiko and he weighed in at 64lbs (29kgs) 
This puts him around the 90th percentile.
He also measured in at 4feet 3.2inches (1.3m)
This also puts him around the 90th percentile.

I'm telling you man this kid has stayed a consistent 90th for his entire life bar a couple of 'starved' months.
I love that he's tall and thick.
I'm pretty sure that's my side of the family as I've seen pictures of Dru growing up and thick is not how I'd describe his body type.
They play rugby here in Boise at the High School, if all my dreams come true, Masaru will play on that team.
One can secretly hope right?

Love you bub.

Memorial Day

So Dru and I watched this movie last night.
It's a movie using 'real' soldiers as the actors.
So it's not the BEST acting but it's a great movie to make you think about things.
We didn't do it on purpose but I'm glad we watched it THIS weekend since we're suppose to be thinking about those who have fallen on behalf of us who live in a 'safe' place.

Even though this is an American holiday there are many ALL OVER the world who fight on behalf of their country and die for it.
It's all a bit sad really isn't it!!??
After watching this movie I realized that I should take time to really remember those who fight for their country and those who've died for their country and their families who are left behind.
I think it's just hard because when I think about it I get upset really and cry, like in this movie last night.
I was basically sobbing.
Dru must think I'm nuts.
It's just sad that's all, that people die I guess, I dunno.
I guess I just don't think about it in my day to day routine of things.
So this day with this movie combined has helped me to remember that this 'day off' is for a really good reason and I owe it the respect to at least talk about it with my kids and take a time out with them to explain the reason.....................

I'm grateful for those who fight and die...........I really am, I might not hardly talk about it or even think about it, but I really am grateful and I'm glad no matter what country you're in, there's holidays that signify it, so that we have time to reflect and really think about these men and women who sacrifice all (sometimes) so we can eat great food with great friends and maybe get some yard work done ;)

3 months

 So this cute thing is 3 months already!
I know I just posted about her but I'm posting about her again.
3 months man.................
This is around the time my milk starts drying up.
So wish me luck in the next couple of weeks.

 My milk supply is going so well.
I haven't had to take drastic measures yet, which I believe to be a good sign.
I can still work out around 4 times a week and it not affect my milk.............so that's good.
I'm watching what I eat as well and that hasn't seemed to affect my milk either.
I'm eating around 500 more calories though than before, so that probably helps.

 See how her forehead is gauged?
I promise I clip her nails.
Those suckers grow like weeds man.
So I put socks on her hands.
Honestly I went to get her after a nap and thought she'd be attacked!

 She heals so fast though.  Give it three days and it's all healed.
It's amazing how fast children heal to me.
Someone told me breast feeding helps the healing go faster as well.
I'm not sure if that's true, but her healing is fast thank goodness, so people don't think I'm this abusive mother.

 Look at that sweet face..........
Awwwwwww she's so cute and her personality is cuter.

So she went to the doctors and got a couple of immunization shots.
They wanted to stick her leg three times plus do an oral and I said "I don't think so bud"
Doesn't that sound excessive to you?
So she got one in her leg and the oral one in her mouth.  It's more for the both of us.  I hate immunization shots man just for the sheer fact that my kids look at me desperately to save them and I don't.
I feel horrible and must admit I've cried on occasion at some of my kids shot appointments.
I know, I know, I'm a wimp but it is what it is.
She did great with them.  A short cry and then she's been good since.
Although last night she was screaming for no reason...........that was unusual for her.  I didn't know what to do as she doesn't get that upset, so Dru took her and settled her down, but it took a while.
Maybe it was something to do with these immunizations?

Anyway she's 24.5 inches long (62.23cm) that puts her in the 78th percentile.
She weighs 13lbs 12oz (6.237kgs) which puts her in the 85th percentile.
Her head is 15.67inches around (39.8cm) which puts her in the 48th percentile.

So she's bigger like Masaru which makes me very happy.
It's a great sign that she's getting enough milk and is growing really well.
It's a constant worry for me with breast feeding since you don't really know how much they're eating.  She's obviously eating enough and is thriving well.
I'm very happy.

Journal Entry Sixtynine

Tell how you felt the first time you saw your baby.

Click HERE to read mine.

Jet?

So I was talking to my sister on the phone yesterday and I was telling her how Dru's out of town for a bit for work.
I said that he went on the company's private jet.
So she imagined the picture above.
She asked if he had to wear 'Top Gun' gears and I started cracking up and so did she.
She thought it was crazy that he'd be going in a jet.
I had to explain to her that over here a private jet looks more like the one below.
We then started getting silly and envisioning Dru doing gravity tests and wearing the oxygen mask and getting all prepped for his 'jet' flight.
LOL
That'd be pretty awesome though right.
So if you're talking to a kiwi, don't mention your private jet unless you want them to think you're Tom Cruise.

Boys night/Girls night

 So our church had a 'fathers and sons' camp out this weekend.
Dru took the two boys.
They had a great time together.
They took the Land Cruiser which the boys loved.
Masaru goes 'Yes, the Land Cruiser is way faster'
What planet is that kid from?  It's our slowest car..........................anyway.

 Masaru came home smelling like campfire.
I'm sure this has something to do with it..........................just hanging around shoving giant sticks in the fire.
Takeshi was talking about it all week.
'Mum, I go camping with Daddy?'
'Yes Takeshi'
Repeat those two sentences about a million times over 5 days and you'll get what my life was like last week.
So of course he had a wonderful time as well.
I'm glad they got to do it together as Dad's out of town for the week this week.

 So I found this sweet deal online where for $35 both Yuki and I could get our hair cut and nails done at this salon.
So we went and did it.
I got this polish that you put under this weird light thing that's suppose to make your nail polish stick on better.
It's still on today so that's good.

 Yuki chose two colours that she wanted and had them painted with both colours.
It was awesome.
We both just got our hair trimmed while Emiko sat in her car seat and slept the whole time.
Little angel.

 Hey man if the boys are spending a fun night out I'm gonna make damn sure that us girls have a fun night IN right?
Yuki LOVED it and talked about it a ton.

 It was on Friday morning though so I got rid of Takeshi to a mates place but he still thought he'd get in on the girls night by playing the princess game with Yuki.
He ASKED me to get a photo of him.........................so I obliged.
Luckily he went camping with all boys so there was no princess games around LOL
Sweetie.

Yuki and I made smores, we had whatever we wanted for dinner and watched girl movies.
She chose one for her and later on I watched one for me.
I think hers was better................................jokes man the vow was ok and very sweet I guess and had a happy ending.
So I think I've started a tradition for the family.........................when the boys go camping...............we do our hair and nails, eat whatever and watch movies and sleep together.
Everyone's happy.............love it.

Emiko (warm fuzzie post)

So Emiko is to the point where I've stopped counting the weeks and I've moved onto months. Mostly because I just simply can't remember!!! Man I swear my memory is gone. If anyone happens to find it, email me.
So on the 27th of May she'll be 3 months.  CRAAAAAAAAZY...................(just for you Lau)
I know I sound like I'm showing off so you can just switch off here alright.......................but Emiko is honestly the easiest baby ever..............I can't believe my luck.
I'm slightly scared as to what this all means..........like does this mean she'll STAY easy or I"m gonna get it when she's 2?
Who knows.................but for now I'LL TAKE IT.
She sleeps so well, her eating is BRILLIANT, I feel great, she DOES great.
I can't think of anything to say that's tough about her.
She's had a couple of blow outs with her poop?
There we go.
Maybe it's because the Lord knows that I couldn't handle anything else and would like Dru and I to continue to be married?
But she just will fall to sleep while I'm dragging her around places.
I busted her sucking her thumb yesterday and quickly took it out and replaced it with the binky.
Really it's only a matter of time until she probably is a thumb sucker.
That's gonna suck...................hahaha good one Milz...........

She's so happy all the time.
She seems to love her siblings.
She's so patient with me.
Poor thing, being the fourth must be tough.
She's just the sweetest most perfect little girl and she's all mine and I couldn't be happier.
There............I said it.......
It's so not me to say 'sweet' things but there's no other way to describe this little girl.
She's truly amazing and I feel blessed that she's a part of our family you know.
I'm so glad she's with me.
I love her.

Come on man..............look at that face and try to tell me she's not cute.......good luck.

I didn't realize I was missing anything in my life a year ago, but now she's here, I realize I was missing her and having her makes my life that much better..........
Love you bub.............thanks for being awesome.

A picture's worth 1000 words..........

Stuff

 Honestly, the amount of cool stuff Masaru brings home I'd need to rent another house for.
We're already bursting at the seams of this place as it is.
So pictures in the blog book will have to suffice.

Yuki did her first talk on Sunday in front of her peers.
I couldn't be there as I was teaching the adults.
I was a little sad about that but Dru was there and said she did great.
She practiced all week and could almost do it by herself.
She's not as shy as Masaru so it's a little easier for her to get up in front of others.
She worked on it with Dru, then practiced with all of us.
'Well done Yuki, we're proud of you and love you very much'

Mother's Day

 Mother's Day was great.
This year is a year of me 'letting go' of expectations, and who knew it could be so relaxing and freeing?
I have these unreasonable crazy expectations that things should be a certain way and then am a brat and dissapointed in the day when they're not, cause my husband and children aren't magicians!!
So this year's birthday and now Mother's Day have both been wonderful due to my change of attitude and more 'realistic' view of how things are.
Here's some pictures of what Masaru did for me at church with his awesome teacher.
She asked us to write our child a letter telling them why we love being a mother to them.
I thought she'd print it and read it out to them.
Nope.
She printed it then Masaru asked me to read it out to him.
Had I known this I might've written it a little different.
Everyone was around while I read it out to Masaru and bawled my eyes out.
Talk about embarrassing.
But it's all true and I hope Masaru keeps it as long as humanly possible for a 7 year old.
He gave me the box of 'kisses' with the note and then gave me real hugs and kisses.
Pretty sweet.

 Here was his school project he did for me.
I thought the card was awesome.

 Here's a shield that Yuki did for me for Mother's Day.
Notice how she spelt mum?
That's right............I'm their mum not their mom, I never will be their mom.....don't be offended USA peeps, it is what it is.
All future teachers must be told ...............LOL................ahem.............moving on.

 Awesome picture done by Yukiko Mei.

 What my children wrote about me.
Notice both of them had chocolate for my favourite food?
Is it THAT obvious?
Also I feel bad that she put 'My mum laughs when ...............I fall down in the car'
There must be a story behind that, otherwise I'm a pretty bad mother for laughing at that................

 I got this from Takeshi with a little bottle full of dirt.
It has sweet pea seeds in it that we're trying to grow.
Pretty cute.

 Dru got me a cover for my birthday gift, which I love.
What a great guy.

 Dru did a croc pot meal, I biked to the park with the kids while Dru napped with Emiko.
We had a great dinner together, and while Dru tidied the whole kitchen I sat and hung out with the kids.
It really was a great day.
I loved it.
Again nothing 'exciting' but full of what I love the most.
You guessed it...............................these guys {above and below}
Oh and the man behind the camera!!!

Motherhood = a better me!!!

Birthday

Yesterday I had a great day.
It was relaxed, filled with not much and wonderful.
I woke up and worked out, then came home and showered (this never happens) then was 'showered' with the kids cards they did for me {above}
Pretty cute man.  Dru help a couple of days before.

Takeshi's card.

The back of the boys cards.  I'm not too sure what this 'secret' message was from Masaru on the back.  Dru told me that he was going to 'surprize' me by jumping up from behind the couch and yelling happy birthday.  It never happened.

Inside of Yuki's card to me.

'I love you because you watch me ride my bike.'
She had to do it red on red I guess which makes it hard to read.
Great pictures and writing.

Sweet card from Masaru.

Some other cards from family and mates. (Thanks everyone)

A few gifts from friends.  Yuki did a handprint for me at school.  I'm pretty sure it was for Mother's Day but she gave it to me for my birthday.  I love it.
This beautiful orchid from my mate Nat, and chocolate from my mate Mary Jo (the perfect gift)
My mate Dani took me out for breakfast at this awesome place here in Boise called 'Goldies'.
Man what a great breakfast.  We hauled the kids along which didn't make it as fun (I know, bad mother) but it was still enjoyable.  Thanks Dani.
I came home and did a few chores around the house and hung out with my two that were home and had a relaxing day.
I got some phone calls from family which was nice.

When Dru got home he brought dinner.
He asked me 'What do you want for dinner?'
I said 'I actually don't care babe as long as I don't have to make it'
So we ate chicken, bread and coleslaw...............perfect ..................and then tried to eat this cake!!
Holy, moly it was rich.  We couldn't even get through one slice.  So if anyone wants cake, we'll have this bad boy in our fridge for the next year.
Maybe it'll be great food storage, one bite will keep you alive for days...................
Then Dru gave me a gift {below}....................it's long, so you don't have to watch, but I"m not telling you what I got..................so make your decision I guess.
Pretty much...........best husband in the entire world..........right here in Boise Idaho!!!
Cool right?
He said he had some 'down' time at work so it got his 'creative' juices flowing and helped with making all the simplot envelopes LOL
 I LOVE it and am very grateful.
 Dru put the kids to bed and we hung out on the couch and talked while I figured things out with my new present.
The day wasn't filled with anything too EXCITING, but it was filled with all the things I love the most.
Calls from family, hanging out with my kids and friends, and of course being with my BFF and remembering why he's perfect for me and why I'm "one lucky bug" (what movie's that from?)
Great birthday, one I'll always remember.
Here's to a wonderful 35th year............