Rolling over on the tatami in the hotel.

 With daddy in the hotel before we went for a bath.

 Daddy and taka

 Our dinner.

With mommy.

On the way to the Onsen, we saw a full rainbow. When we could not see the rainbow anymore, Taka cried. At the hotel, during the night Hisanobu rolled over in his sleep. He seems to prefer to sleep on his stomach.

Japanese/Chinese

Tonight I went to an event for the friendship family program that I am involved. My host student could not come, but I had fun talking to some of the other students. A lot of the students were Chinese and their Japanese is very good. I always mess up on the self introduction that are so important in Japan. I forget to say my name, just blurt out the other stuff I want to say.
I would love to start studying Chinese, but I think I should master my Japanese first. I love to study the chinese characters of the Japanese language. I should start writing this blog in both English and Japanese. Good Luck to all of you who do not know Japanese....maybe you will learn something!

 This is a field where they plant sunflowers in the summer and Cosmos in the fall. It is across from a park called SunFlower Hill Park and a childrens center called Chaicom. We go to the childrens center just about everyday. It is a good way for Takafumi to blow off steam after daycare. I think in terms of childrens centers and places to play Japan is a good place to raise children. On the other hand, the fathers work long hours with many fathers never really seeing their children on the weekdays. It is the mother who basically raises the children even though there is a father present because of the working hours of the father it is like the mom is a single mom. Some moms are lucky to have their parents or in-laws to help out.

 Taka is getting good at taking pictures! Here he shows how I have not yet taken down the Halloween decorations.

It is time to keep the house clean as Hisanobu can now move around a little by rolling over.

On Saturday Hisanobu turned over by himself and keeps doing it now. Taka had swimming on Saturday. On Sunday we went to the Japanese class which my husband runs. I might start teaching one of the girls English. Not too much else is happening. I need to get a new book to read. Any recommendations? Otherwise  I will have to check out Goodreads on Facebook.

Today

Today I spent the day at my Japanese tutor`s house. Her daughter just had a baby, so the three week old baby, my 3 month old son and my other friend`s 1 year old all spent the day together. It is interesting how fast they grow and the older ones become the role models and the younger ones mimic the older ones (the one year old was mimicing her older brother by feeding the smaller babies).
Today for dinner I made chicken with red and yellow peppers. In general, Japanese eat many more vegetables than Americans. The veggies are the first thing you run into when you enter the store from one side. I like to eat spinach and okra here. I never really ate it back at home.

Lunch

Today my friend and I had lunch together. We had subway sandwiches and potato soup (that she made). She is translating my transcripts from university and I am forever grateful. I am applying to attend the university to get my Masters degree. It will mostly be in English, but I will have non-electives in Japanese. Wish me luck!

Undokai

There is an athletic meeting season in Japan, where every school from daycares to high school has an Undokai or athletic meeting. They are meant so that everybody can succeed. There are dances, races, obstacle courses and such. This was Taka`s first Undokai. I think he really enjoyed it.

Halloween

Hisanobu was Tigger for Halloween. I was Chip from Chip and Dale.

 Here is Joan the pirate with Hisanobu Tigger.

 Aoishi san with Kazuki.

 Taka breaking the pinata.

 Tigger

 Takafumi and Hisanobu.

Johnny, Tomohiro and Takafumi kun.

Taking pictures

 This is Hisanobu at around 1 month, he is getting fatter and fatter. He will soon be 8 kilos at 3 months!

Older brother Taka likes peace!

 Taka likes to take pictures with the camera. He is getting pretty good at taking pictures.

Hisanobu at about 1 month.

Today is Tuesday and grocery shopping day because of sales on Tuesday at Aeon. I try to buy enough grocies to last for the week. Most Japanese shop every couple of days because of freshness, but I like to freeze. My sister in law makes good pork chops (tonkatsu), so I always make sure to buy pork chops on Tuesday. This week I will make shabu shabu, so I bought the meat for this meal.

Hisanobu got two vaccines today. He cried for both.

As a housewife, I hate folding the laundry. I do not so much mind hanging it out to dry, but folding it is a nuisance. I think my husband wishes I was a  better cleaner, but it is just not my speciality. I do not mind to wash the dishes or even cooking is not so bad, just the laundry is what I mind.

Hisanobu

 

Here daddy is holding Hisanobu a few days after our release from the hospital. His dad loves to spend time with him even though his busy schedule does not allow for much time.

 My breast milk never came in, so I have to bottle feed. It is more common for women to breastfeed here in Japan.

Here I am after birth with my fat cheeks.

 I want a hug!

I want my diaper changed.

Bath and brother

 This is when Hisanobu first came home from the hospital. I had to stay in the hospital per policy for 1 week. The Japanese usually stay inside the first couple of months in order to ensure the health of the baby and the mother. I could never stand that and usually went out after 2 weeks time.

 Here is Hisanobu and his first bath at home. The Japanese bath is a huge ritual very important to the Japanese culture.

Takachan and nobuchan

Tigger and Birds

This is Hisanobu in his Halloween costume. Halloween is celebrated in Japan as a commercial holiday. Many of the English schools and the bars will have Halloween Parties. The play centers too will often have Halloween parties.

This is Takafumi with his goggles and helmet. He was getting ready to saw a piece of wood. He likes to build and create things. I do not spend enough time with him like I used to.

Here Taka is feeding the ducks at a aviary park in Kobe.

Here he is feeding the fish at the same aviary/flower center in Kobe.

Here I am carrying Hisanobu at the center.

I am starting a new blog. I was away from the blog scene for a while, but lost a lot of pictures due to a computer crash, so I thought it was time for a new blog. Lets try by posting a picture.