Merry Christmas!

Aaron, Izumi and Celeste wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ちょっと遅くなったけど、素敵なクリスマス、そしてよい新年をお迎えください！

Spring rolls.

I love Springrolls. This was my first time to make them from scratch and they turned out great! I took them to Church potluck dinner.
春巻きなんて今まで作ったこともなかったんだけど、やってみたら簡単にできてしまった。　しかもおいしい！！！　これはリピ決定ですね。
お惣菜のないこの地域にいると、なんでも最初から作らなくてはならず大変。　でも料理の腕は上がりますね。　めんつゆ、和風ステーキソースからなんでも作ります。でも毎日はやりましぇん！　基本料理苦手ですから。

My Growing Baby!

Celeste is now two months old! Aaron took her to 2 months check up last week ( I had to stay at home because I was sick!) and her doctor is very pleased with Celeste. He said she was growing very good and healthy. She now weighs 12Ib 3oz and is 2ft. She is a long baby for her age.

セレステちゃんは生後2ヶ月になりました。　私が胃腸炎でダウンしてしまったので、アーロンが一人で彼女を二ヶ月検診に連れて行ってくれました。マイヤー先生は、せいちゃんの成長振りにとっても満足だったようです。　健康体の太鼓判を押してくれました。せいちゃんは現在体重5579グラムで、身長60センチ。　2ヶ月の子にしてはすこし身長が高いそうな…。　頭は標準より小さめだけど、遺伝の関係もあるから心配することはないそうです。

We enjoyed our first time to restaurant with baby. Celeste was just happy and calm and let us enjoy spending time with our friends. It's sad that this was a good-bye dinner for Chad and Justine. They are moving to Tampa, FL. We sure miss them.


先週の土曜日は、初めて赤ちゃんを連れての外食を経験。　せいちゃんは終始穏やか＆ハッピーで、私たちも友達との楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。　悲しいけど、この夕食会はフロリダに引っ越してしまうチャドとジャスティーンとのお別れ会だったのです。　初めて教会に行って友達になった人たちだけにとても悲しい。

Chilling in the car seat and watching Jason eat. 　カーシートでふんぞり返ってみんなが食事するのを眺めているせいちゃん。

A gift to Celeste from Grandpa and grandma Iwase. I guess it is a tradition to give this Hagoita doll to a baby girl. I'm glad it came in a mail without a scratch!

これは日本のおじぃちゃんおばぁちゃんからのプレゼント。羽子板人形を女の子が生まれたら送るそうです。こういう伝統にさっぱりうとい私…、よくないね、日本人なのにさ。　ま、傷ひとつ付かずにアメリカまで到着してくれてよかった！

Free Photo Shoot!

We were thinking about getting professional photo made for Celeste for Christmas, but since we don't have much money and I didn't want to go out more than I had to, I decided to try my own photo shoot at home. せいちゃんが生まれたら、プロの方にお願いして記念写真を撮ろうかと思っていたんですが、お金もないし、わざわざ出かけていくのも寒いし、面倒なのでママが家で撮ってしまえ！と思い立ち、機嫌がいいときにドレスを着せて写真とってみました。

クリスマスカードにひとつ画像を選んで使いました。

Fun weekend with friends!

I got to enjoy the weekend with lots of frinends. On friday afternoon, three of my Japanese friends in town visited me with their cute children. They brought me some Japanese goodies, too:) I am so blessed with them. Their children are all under age of 2, so Celeste have lots of friends to grow up with and speak Japanese. One of the mothers organizes Japanese children's club once a week so that half Japanese children can play and learn in Japanese. I hope I can join once Celeste gets a little bit bigger. They all speak to their children in Japanese, so it is cool to see how they respond to their mom. I gotta get out of the habit of speaking English to Celeste. It's just easier to talk to her in English than in Japanese. Not good...

On Friday night, the Ljs came all the way from Oklahoma to see Celeste. We were so excited and looking forward to seeing them. Stone was so cute. He wanted to hold Celeste all the time and he was just interested in her. It was very nice to have some relaxing time with the Ljs to catch up. They also brought cool present for Celeste. Kari is very creative and she made lots of cool things for her, like cute photo album, burp rugs and blanket. Thank you so much for your friendship, the Ljs!

Celeste is happy in Ljs arms.

They are so cute together. Stone was so sweet to Celeste.

Got to have group pic. Stone is still looking at Celeste:)

Fall Baby

Isn't she cute?

産褥期１＆２

16日木曜日に出産し、日曜に退院し家に帰ってきました。 病院での数日は、帝王切開の傷の痛みに、麻酔のおかげで便秘気味、おまけに授乳のおかげでおっぱいもパンパンで痛むし、夜中は授乳に起きる以外にもナースが私のチェックに来たりで、よく眠れずすべてが不調。

日曜に家に帰ってからは、授乳する以外はなにもしてない私。 アーロンのママが日曜日からうちで寝泊りし、アーロンと交代で夜の授乳に付き合ってくれて、食事の準備から掃除洗濯まですべてやってくれています。まったくありがたいことです。　家に帰ってきたとき、ちらかりっぱなしだった私たちの家は、ママのおかげで普段よりもきれいになり、片付いています。ママの食事のほかにも、教会の人たちが4回一日おきにディナーを差し入れてくれるし、日本人のお友達の方からのサポートもありで、なんとも恵まれています。

私は、娘に授乳したらゲップさせ、おむつ交換などはほとんどアーロンとママが「ここからは私たちの仕事！」とばかりに一生懸命やってくれるので、娘を渡し、私は自分のおっぱいケアにとりかかります。　吸う力があんなに強いとは思わなかった…というのが感想だねぇ。　乳首は敏感になって、服がすれたりブラに触ったりするだけで痛くてつらい。　ママの前でおっぱい出しっぱなしでフラフラしてる私です 　さすがにパパが来るとそうもいかないので、ニップルシールドっていうカップを乳首にはめてブラをしてます。　するとそのカップのかげで乳首は服のどこにも触らないのでとっても快適 乳首が強くなって授乳が楽になるのはいつからなんでしょうか…誰か教えてください。　ちなみに完母でがんばるつもりです。

最近いきなり寒くなったのもあって、おっぱい出してフラフラしてたら咳が出るようになってしまいました。　咳きしながら授乳して、傷に響くのが何より不快…。でも授乳のおかげか、体重がどんどん落ちていってるので毎朝体重を測ってウキウキしてます…笑。出産直前から5キロ減しました。　このままどんどん減ってほしい…。　あ、でもすっごい食べてるのでご安心を。 寝るのが大好きな私だけど、もう8時間とかぶっ通しで寝られないのかと思うとなんとも悲しいです。　


ここからは前の日記から3日後のものです。

前回の日記から引き続き、咳が止まらない生活が続いています 　寝たいのに、咳が出て眠れないことがしばしば…。　次の授乳まであと1時間だから寝なくちゃ！と思うと余計にあせって眠れなかったりして… 困ったものです。 妊娠生活よりも出産よりも何よりも、この授乳がつらいってのには驚きでした。　フォーミュラは絶対に嫌なので、どうにか完母でがんばろうと思っているんだけど、2，3時間おきの授乳はやはりつらいです。　とくに夜中の3時頃のはね 　授乳しながら死んでます。でも相変わらず、アーロンかママが付き合ってくれるので、いざというとき助けてもらえて本当に楽…。

乳首の痛みはだんだん治まってきて、授乳時、吸われてもそれほど痛くならなくなりましたが、いまだニップルシールドをしていないと服にすれた時に、小さな悲鳴をあげるほど痛みを感じます。完母のコミュでトピ立てして聞いてみたところ、1ヶ月以内に平気になる人から、2ヶ月以上かかった人までいろいろいました。　でも、みんな最後には大丈夫になるってことだったので、ゴールがあることを信じてがんばろうと思います。

退院してから1週間目で、布オムツに変えました。　病院ではタダでオムツもらってたので、それを使い、家に帰ってからはコットン100%でノンケミカルの紙おむつを数日使いました。　で、みんなの生活リズムがなんとなく整ってきたところで布オムツ導入。　豹柄のフリース生地でできたカバーをつけたせいちゃんがとってもキュートです。おしりがとっても大きく見える （Facebookのアルバムに載ってます）

30日に生後2週間の検診に行ってきました。　体重もよく増えているし、どこから見ても健康体の太鼓判を押してもらいました。ほっぺがプクプクしてきて、とてもかわいくなってきました。

Now we are parents!

On October 16th, 4:52 in the morning, we had our first child, Celeste Seika!! She weighed 8Ib and 22inches long. She is very healthy and very good-looking baby.
So this is how it happened…
I was getting pretty tired of being pregnant by the 9th month started. Everything went well during my whole pregnancy until the last month. I was getting backache, having to go to bathroom every 10 min, or so and my hips were hurting. I am sure that’s just the normal thing that pregnant women experience but I was ready for her to come out… So Wednesday night, the night before she came, Aaron and I were praying that our baby would be ready to come out soon to meet us. One of the church members who are retired doctor taught us acupressure points to help start contraction once the due date gets closer. Aaron was pushing those points that night.

Thinking that nothing would happen, we went to bed. A little bit after midnight, I rolled over in my bed thinking that I needed to go to bathroom and there I felt some water coming out. I thought I finally came to the point where I could not even control when to go to bathroom! I got up and did what I needed to do and stood up and here more of the water came. I walked around and some more came out… Then I realized that this is not what I am thinking! This is it!! My water broke!! I woke Aaron up , called his parents and our birth doula, quickly gathered things and grabbed my going to hospital bag, and left for the hospital. Then contraction was starting too. While Aaron drove, he counted the duration and I was concentrated on breathing technique.
We got to hospital at 1am on the 16th.
I was 4 to 5 cm dilated when they checked around 1:30.
I was moved to LDR and there, Aaron, his mom and my doula helped me get through every contraction with massage, lots of ice chips, and encouraging words.
By 3:30am I was 8cm dilated and then the nurse thought that she didn’t feel baby’s head in the place where it supposed to be. They quickly brought the ultra sound machine and found out that she was breech at the last moment.

All I was dreaming was to have my baby in natural no medicated labor. It was so close to the end and here I had to face the fact that I had to have C-section. I was crushed and starting to cry. I knew that C-section was the best way for both of us but I was just not ready for that.
I was taken to OR and when all the people around me were preparing for the surgery, I was just crying. Aaron came in scrub and he sat beside me. As soon as the epidural kicked in, the surgery has begun and my baby was out within 5 minutes or so. Then my tear became the one for joy and not for sadness.

She was 8Ib and 22 inches long. She scored 9.9 and very healthy and alert. I guess getting baby out is the easiest part in C-section and fixing mother’s tummy actually takes more time. While the doctor worked on my tummy, I watched the nurse cleaning Seika and measuring her healthy level. Aaron took some picture of her. She was crying but when Aaron went close and said “ you are ok.” She actually got quiet. She knew her father’s voice.
So this is how we welcomed our baby girl…

アーロンがやっと家のPCに日本語をインストールしてくれましたので、出産のことやその後について書こうと思います。

１６日の朝４時５２分に帝王切開で、娘を出産いたしました。 １５日の夜、アーロンと私は、早く赤ちゃんがこの世に生まれる準備を整えてくれるよう神様に祈っていました。　陣痛を起こすツボなんてのもあるらしく、同じ教会に通ってるもとドクターに教わり、アーロンがそのツボをまぁ、半信半疑で押してました。

１６日に日付が変わったころ、「あ～、トイレ行きたいなぁ」と寝ぼけながらベッドで寝返りを打った私は、水があふれてくるのを感じ、「うわ、とうとうおしっこもコントロールできなくなっちゃったよ！」とびっくりし、トイレへ。　用を済ませ、立ち上がるとまた水が出てくる。　しばらくおしっこだと思っていた私は、トイレに座ったまましばし考え、また立って座るの繰り返し。　 こ、これは破水だ！と結論付けるまで約１０分ほど…。　アーロンを起こし、準備してあった病院へ持っていくお泊りセットバッグを取り出し、ほかに必要なものを準備し、家を出た。　陣痛も始まり、まさにテレビで見るような光景を自分が演じているのかと思うととっても非現実的…。　アーロンが運転しながら、陣痛の感覚を測り、私は呼吸テクで痛みを乗り切っていく。　

病院についたのが１時。　そのときには子宮口は５cm開いていた。月曜日の時点で２cmだったからかなりの進歩。　分娩室に運ばれ、アーロンとアーロンのママと、Doulaのシェリルのサポートを受けながら陣痛の波を乗り切っていく。痛いけど、それほどじゃないかも…と心のどこかで思ったのを覚えてます。　３時半に子宮口は８cmで、初出産にしてはかなりスムーズにことが運んでいる…と思ったところで、子供の頭が下にないかもしれないと、子宮口をチェックしたナースが言い出す。　超音波をしてみるとやはり、逆子。　ガビーン！　ここまできたのに、今になって逆子とは　自然分娩にこだわっていた私にはかなりの衝撃で、一気にそこで泣き出す…。　 ずっと頭を下にしていたわが子は、最後の最後に回転してしまいました。　おしりから先に出てきた父親の娘だからね…しゃぁない。 そこから帝王切開の準備が急いで行われ、手術室に私は運ばれていきました。　

背中に麻酔を打たれる痛みよりも、自然分娩ができないことにショックで泣いてました。　アーロンが着替えて手術室に入り、私の隣にすわり、麻酔が効き始めたと同時に手術開始。５分もしない間に娘が出てきました。元気な泣き声とその姿を見たときにはもう喜びの涙に変わってました。　3600グラムの女の子で、52センチだったかな。　異常がないか正常かどうかを数値で表すんだけど、それも満点に近くまさに健康そのもの。　 最後には、この子と私が健康であればよいということですよね。自然にお産が始まって、ある程度経験できただけでも私の体にも、娘の体にもプラスに働いたでしょうし。　やはり人間が思うようにはいかない物事のほうがはるかに多く、神様の意思にゆだねて生きることの大事さを学ぶ機会となりました。　

Baby Shower at our church

We were given baby shower at our church on Oct 5th. Our good friends, Alicia, Justine and Kerry prepared everything for this special occasion. Thanks, girls!!

Hello Kitty cake:)

with Justine and Alicia

We can't wait to put this apron on her to help us around the kitchen!

Such a cute dress.

at week 38.

You can tell how I feel from my face. I'm ready for her to come out... I have pain from shoulders down to lower back now. I go to bathroom like every 15 to 20 min now and Aaron is not happy how much toilet rolls I go through:(

I went to see my doctor on Monday and found out that I started to dilate a little and 70% effacing. Things are progressing. Gotta be positive and just relax at this point.

退職しました。I finished working.

Week 36.

On September 30th, I finished working and now I am a full time mommy-to-be. I’m now week 36 and the big day is getting closer. I get to do some final preparation to welcome baby home. When I was in first trimester, I felt that time passed so slow because I wanted my baby to grow quicker. Now at week 36 and looking back this whole pregnancy thing, it seems like everything went so fast and surprisingly smooth. I hope the labor will go nice and smooth. By becoming pregnant and carrying my baby inside was just great way to learn more about God and His power. There is always God’s will in every beginning of life.

From next week checkup, my doctor will be checking to see if I have begun dilating. I feel like I’m coming to the end! All I can do now is just keep exercising, relax and wait for the time to come. I’m excited but also scared. Since we decided to have a natural labor, we decided to get a doula for extra support. We had an interview with one this morning. We asked her lots of questions and see if she will be good one for us. She pretty much supported what I wanted to do, so I think we would go with her. We kinda decided to have a doula at the last minute so we don’t have much time to be picky. She had one of her three babies in a foreign country, so she would know what I’m going through. That was good thing to know. I hope it is worth investing…

My lower back has been bothering me a lot the last two days. I’m wondering if this is one of the signs that baby is coming down… It is hard to do anything, but walking and Yoga is still helping to ease the pain. I may go see acupuncturist next week if the pain gets worse… It’s getting cooler and cooler everyday. The weather has been just gorgeous the last two weeks or so, and I am enjoying walking in the morning with just baby and me. I talk to her, sing to her and we pray together. I can’t wait to do that after the birth.
Other than having backache and huge belly, I’m just doing fine. At the last check up, my doctor jokingly told me that I could go eat Andy’s Frozen Custard (my favorite) all I want, since I am doing well with weight :)

本日９月３０日をもって、わだぐしはLoomis Ins Agencyを退職いだしましだ～。 ３６週目で、臨月に入っちゃいましたよ～。　これからは、出産の最後の準備に取り掛かりたいと思いましゅ～。 ここまで長かったような、あっという間だったような…。　妊娠とはなんとも不思議な体験であります。まさに、生命の神秘(神様の秘密どころですよ)　生命の始まりには、その始まりのスイッチを押してくれる誰かがいないと始まらないわけですが…、それは医者でも、私達でもなく、本当に神様なんだなぁとしみじみ感じます。　

検診は４週間おきだったのが、２週間おきになり、ついに１週間おきになります。　毎回、子宮口の開き具合等をチェックし、お産が近いかをみるわけですね…。　大詰めきましたねぇ。　楽しみ半分、不安半分であります。　赤ちゃんに会えるのは楽しみだけど、その前の陣痛を考えると恐ろしい Piyokoちゃんのアドバイスにより、Doula採用を再検討している私達であります。　Doulaってのは、助産婦さんのような方で、出産時にママの精神、身体面と家族の精神面をサポートしてくれるんです。　アーロンが、「ぼくが、いずみをサポートする！」とやる気だけは満々なんだけど、でもやっぱり１人じゃ不安だからお母さんにも出産時に来てもらおうなんて言うわけですよ　だったら、１人ちゃんとしたお産のプロがいたほうがいいべぇってことでDoulaさんを頼もうかと思ってます。

金曜日にDoulaの資格を持ってる方と面接をすることになりました。　ま、気があって、私達の方針と彼女の方針が合えば出産時にお世話になるってことで…。　いろいろお話して決めてみたいと思います。 で、お腹の赤ちゃんはさらに元気に動いております　痛いのにうれしい　出産時も痛いのにうれしいって思えたらいいわねぇ。　 歩くとやっぱり調子がいいし、朝の散歩って気持ちいい　賛美歌を歌いながら、お祈りしながら歩くのが日課です。夕方は時間があればアーロンとおしゃべりしながらまた歩いてます。あと、バランスボールってやつ？　あれ、骨盤にいいらしいので、とりあえず座ってます…笑。　臨月に入っても体重がいまだ２キロ増で止まってて、先生にAndy'sのアイス食べておいでって言われました　次に妊娠したときもこんな調子だったらいいな…。

My Baby's Bed.

Week 34

Here I am in week 34 (well, this week I'm in 35). My belly is getting heavier and bigger even more... but it's good thing my weight doesn't change much. I haven't got any stretch mark yet either. Well, I do have some when I gained like 20 Ibs during the first year in OK...:) but not from the pregnancy. Aaron and I have been sleeping in a separate bed for a few months now. It's because of his back surgery and he had to sleep on the recliner for several weeks and I got confortable using 4 pillows around me to sleep well. We tried to sleep together but he didn't have enough space to get comfortable and I ended up elbowing his back accidently...(ToT) I guess we have to wait until our baby comes. I can't wait to sleep on my back!

Our little vacation.

Aaron and I went to Big Cedar for 5 days. We got to relax and have some time alone with no busy schedule. It was a wonderful vacation.

The time share cabin we stayed. It was a gift from Aaron's parents. They had some time share deal and they shared some with us.

The room we stayed.

The weather wasn't all that great most of the time we were there but we didn't care. Whenever the gray sky made us sleepy, we took nap:) This pic was taken the day we were leaving. It was the only sunnier (is this a correct word??) day.

The breakfast buffet was to die for!! I would go back just to go to have breakfast.

Do you know the TV show called 'Jon, Kate plus 8?' It's on TLC cable channel. We got hooked on that show during our stay here. We watched the marathon. You learn a lot from that show and enjoy watching those 8 kids grow. Jon and Kate are funny couple. Kate is kinda scary wife but it is a good show. We are sad that we don't have cable at home but mom's best friend Sandy was kind enough to tape the new episode for us:)

Best Movie Trilogy??

Which one do you like the best??

X-Men Trilogy

The Spiderman Trilogy

The Terminator Trilogy

The Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes 1-3)

The Star Wars Trilogy (Episode 4-6)

The Back to the Future Trilogy

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

The Matrix Trilogy

The Indiana Jones Trilogy

The Jurassic Park Trilogy

The Godfather Trilogy

The Saw Trilogy

The Evil Dead Trilogy

The Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy

Oceans 11-13

the hannibal lector trilogy

Scream

The Bourne Trilogy

Look Who's Talking

Rush Hour trilogy

The Blade Trilogy



I love the Bourne series a lot.

Week 32.

Well, finally things are getting better around us. Aaron’s hole in his back is getting smaller and the gauze I staff there is getting less and less. The infection is gone and it’s healing nice. He had a cold this week but he is getting better from that, too. He doesn’t get sick easily but I guess all the medication that he was on made his body weak… We are both finally feeling better.

I’m now week 32. We went to see Baby doctor on Tuesday. He said everything is going well and my baby is a week ahead in size wise. I haven’t gained any, so baby is still sucking my fat off. I’m hoping that she would come a little earlier rather than coming here after the due date. Aaron’s mom keeps telling us that the baby will be here on full moon, which is the 14th. We will see.
My baby has been very active the last two weeks and it is getting rather painful. It’s more like squirming, pushing and stretching my tummy now and I think she puts her legs towards my left side ribs. Sometimes my ribs hurts when I breath. Even though it is getting harder and harder to carry my growing belly, it is just a joyful time. I’m so happy and can’t wait to see her in October.

We have been going to the childbirth classes too. Aaron missed the first class because it was right after his surgery, so his mom came with me. Then the second class Aaron’s aunt Gloria and Aaron came with me. Aaron was still in pain with heavy medication so he probably didn’t learn much then either. The third class he finally was able participate. So I guess once the contraction starts, Aaron’s mom needs to help me and then Gloria has to help me, and finally Aaron gets to help me…

We had a tour in the baby department in St. Johns Hospital during the forth class. They just build new section and that’s where we get to stay and have a baby. Everything was new and looked great.

The problem about the Lamaze is that you have to breath through your mouth a lot and dries your mouth and throat. Last week after the third class when we practiced the breathing techniques, I got sore throat… I may need to wear that huge Japanese mask when I do that during my labor… I won't probably care if I look stupid as long as I can keep my throat moist.

This weekend, there will be a Japanese Fall Festival at Mizumoto Japanese Garden in town. Last year, Aaron and I volunteered to be translators and caretakers for the guests from Japan. This year we didn’t sign up for anything because I’m pregnant. Anyway we are going to have a date tomorrow night at the garden. They light lots of lanterns in the garden after dark and it is very beautiful. I also just found out that one of my Japanese friends who lives in Oklahoma is a part of Japanese drum performers during the festival. So I get to see her perform tomorrow. It’s supposed to be nice and cooler weather, too. That is a great news for a 8 months pregnant woman.

Go with the flow and learn to be patient.

So here’s what is happening this last week and a half.
ここ1週間半の出来事を箇条書きにしてみた。
励ましのコメント受け付けます…笑。
It would be nice if you could leave me nice encouraging comments…

１．アーロンの手術自体はうまくいきました、でも術後の経過が思わしくない。ドクターは当初、1週間もすれば大丈夫でしょう、みたいなこと言ってたのですよ。体が思うように動かず、二人で参加するのを楽しみにしていた出産準備クラスみたいなのを結局ママと一緒に行くことに…。　ちょっと悲しい。
Aaron had an out patient surgery to take a fatty cyst out of his left back under his shoulder blade. The surgery itself went well but it wasn’t healing well. The cyst was bigger than the doctor expected and the hole in his back was very deep. Originally we were told that Aaron would be able to go back to work the following week but he hasn’t been able to do pretty much anything since Aug 7. I was sad that he had to miss our first childbirth class. Aaron’s mom went with me instead.


2．　術後、ガーゼの取替えを枕に綿を詰めるようにやれ、と指示を受ける。
ママにやってもらっていたが、ママはシカゴに一週間自分の妹(ウツを患っている)を訪ねるためにいなくなってしまうため、私が結局やることに…。　ママが行っちゃうまでにはよくなることを願っていたがそれも叶わず。
A few days after surgery, Aaron was in pain and the wound was swelling. I took him to the hospital and they opened his wound and had to suck the nasty fluid out. Then they told us to that they would leave it open so that mom and I could stuff gauze into the hole to suck the fluid. First it was just too much for me and I couldn’t do it. I even got sick just looking at the hole, so mom did most of the stuffing. But mom had to leave for Chicago for a week so I had to learn to do it. I was hoping that it would get better by the time she leaves so that I wouldn’t have to do it but it didn’t happen.


３．ちーちゃんが2週間オクラホマをベースにアメリカ滞在する間に、こちらに来てウェディングドレスショッピングをする、ということでスプリングフィールドに先週水曜日に来た。一緒にショッピングにお供できることをとても光栄に思ってワクワク。My Christian friend, Chisato visited me during her two-week stay in OK from Japan. This was totally a good thing to me and I was looking forward to seeing her because she was coming her for her wedding dress shopping. She came on Wednesday evening. I was just honored that I could tag along to her for this big event.

４．ちーちゃんを連れて木曜日にBransonのアウトレットでお買い物。その帰りに大雨の中、後ろからおバカな男の子に車を追突される羽目になる。軽いショック状態になりながらも、二人で深呼吸して気を落ち着かせる。早産したらどうしようかと思ったよ。　車10台くらいを巻き込んだ事故の中、幸いにも私達は傷一つなく帰る。　車は要修理だけど…。　その夜、心配する家族に連れられERで赤ちゃんの無事を確認。
On Thursday, we went shopping in Branson. We went the Landing, the newest outlet mall and shopped some and had lunch. Then we went to Tanger for more shopping in the afternoon. On the way home, it started raining very hard and we were slowing down on the downhill. The car in front of us slowed down even more because there was three-car accident that looked like just happened. I slowed down more. Then this young guy that didn’t know how to slow down in the down pouring rain on the hill came right behind us. I saw him coming on my rear view mirror and then he hit us. He tried to miss us but couldn’t and clipped the back of my car and crushed into a truck that was already hit by the first accident we saw. I saw some more accidents behind us and it just a huge mess!

Chisato and I didn’t know what just happened and as we started to clear our mind, I don’t know about Chisato but I went into shock. My heart was beating fast and I was breathing fast. I had to calm myself or I thought my baby would come out. Three or four ambulances came and lots of police came. Police took all the information and medical people checked us. Aaron’s dad left the office as soon as he heard about the accident from Aaron and came to see me. Luckily we were one of a few cars that were drivable, so we got to drive home. Then everyone dragged me to ER to check how baby was doing. We were glad to find out that my baby was ok.

５．金曜日、今日は朝からドレスショッピングに気合が入る。で、私のアコードちゃんが乗れないので、パイロット君で出発～と思いきやバッテリーが上がっててガススタンドで死ぬ。　朝からディーラーに行ってバッテリーを入れてもらうことになり、時間は過ぎていく…。　でも無事にちーちゃんは素敵なドレスを見つけることができ、安堵…。ちーちゃん、とってもきれいでした。
On Friday, we were planning to go wedding dress shopping. We left the house as soon as we could. Since my Accord needs repair, we took Aaron’s Pilot. We got gas and tried to start him and he wouldn’t start!! Looked like the problem was battery. We then had to go to Honda to get new battery put. By this time I was just so down because everything seemed went wrong. I felt so bad for Chisato because she had now less time to shop. We looked several stores but she found THE DRESS at a local wedding dress shop in town. She was so beautiful and we both knew that this was it! It was way over her budget but she decided to get it. I hope you have chance to see her dress.

６．その夜、ちーちゃん、アーロンと食事をし家に帰る。　土曜日にちーちゃんをオクラホマまで送ることになっていたので、早く寝ようと9時半頃にアーロンのガーゼを取り替える。　異常に痛がるアーロンに、抜いたガーゼを見ると膿のようなものがついているので、化膿してるかもしれないということで急遽今度はアーロンがERに行く羽目になる。　私は次の日往復9時間強の運転が待ってるので、休むように言われアーロンはパパに連れられてERへ。　朝まで電話してこなかったけど、やはり化膿してるってことで彼は点滴をして夜をERで過ごす。
私は次の日の朝まで彼が一晩中ERにいたことを知らずにいた。
Friday night, since I had to go take Chisato back to OKC, we were planning to go to bed pretty early. Around 9:30 I was changing Aaron’s bandage. He was screaming in pain and we looked at the gauze that just pulled out from his hole and there was yellow nasty stuff. We were worried whether it got infected, so this time Aaron had to go to ER. I had to sleep because no matter what I had to take Chisato home on Saturday, so Aaron’s dad came to take him to ER. It was the next morning that I found out that they spent all night in ER getting his wound tested and putting IV.

７．アーロンをおいて、私はちーちゃんを送りにオクラホマへ。　1人では帰り何かあったら大変ということで、グロリアおばちゃんが同行してくれることになる。無事にちーちゃんをOKCへ送り、やはりお腹が張ってしまうので帰りはほとんどグロリアに運転してもらう。　無事に帰宅し、またアーロンのお世話。本当はもっとちーちゃんと時間を過ごせるはずだったのに、なんだかかんだで一日早く彼女を送っていかなくてはならず、歯がゆさでいっぱい…。気を使わせてしまって申し訳ない思いです。ごめんね、ちーちゃん。
On Saturday, I left Aaron home and took Chisato back to OKC. Everyone was worried about me and my baby, so Aunt Gloria kindly volunteered to go with us. On the way back to Springfield, since I was exhausted and feeling my tummy getting tense, Gloria did most of the driving and I got to rest with my feet up. Chisato was supposed to be with us till Sunday if Aaron was better by then and we were going to take her on Sunday afternoon, but Aaron didn’t get better like the doctor expected and I had to find somebody that would go with me to OKC, we had to take her back a day early. Nothing has been going smoothly lately and I’m just so stressed and tired. I felt so bad for Chisato to be with us during this time. I’m glad at least she found her dress.

日曜日は、教会に行く気力もなく…笑。
On Sunday I was dead.

明日の血液検査で、アーロンの白血球の数が増えていれば、炎症がまだあるということで今度は入院になるかも…。強い薬でヘロヘロなアーロン君ですが、ぽっかりあいた背中の穴のお世話の度に痛みで叫ばれると、こっちは心が痛くて泣きたくなります。てか泣きながら傷の手当てしてます。　やらなくちゃいけないことだったし、こんなに経過が悪いのもまったく予想できず、交通事故やら何やらであまりにも自分たちのコントロールの域を超える出来事の連続で、ストレス溜まりまくりだけど、試練ってのはこういうものなのか…と1人考えながら神様に祈る毎日であります。　
There is a possibility that Aaron may be put into hospital depending on how the medicine works. Every time I change his bandage, he screams in pain and that just makes cry. We knew that we had to have this done before our baby comes. With Aaron’s unexpected slow and bad recovery, my accident and other little things, it seems like everything is far out of our control and we are so stressed. I know it’s going to get better. I have hope but I just had to write it to make myself feel better.

After the surgery　手術後

After the Infection　I have to stuff gauze into this hole...

　化膿してから開いたキズ（ここにガーゼを私がつめます)

My Accord　私のアコードちゃん

This car clipped us and crashed into a truck.

この車が私達にぶつかり、その後トラックに追突しました。

Chisato trying some dresses. This is not the dress she chose. You can ask her ( if you know her) to show you her perfect DRESS.

ちーちゃんが試着したドレスのうちの一つ。　実際に買ったドレスではないです。

New Addition to my collection

I love Vera Bradley bags. They are both from Aaron's mom. The purse on the left is for my birthday and the one on the right is my diaper bag:) Can't wait to use it!

アメリカのキルトバッグメーカーのベラ・ブラッドリーが好きな私。　誕生日に左側のかばん、見側のダイバーバッグをママからもらいました。　ダイパーバッグ使うの楽しみ！

私のヴェラコレクション

My collection

I'm now week 28. I went to hospital to have glucose test. That orange soda that I had to drink, it was so sweet but I liked it. It was like Fanta Orange Soda which I used to love when I was a kid. I haven't heard from them so far, so maybe I passed the test... I also saw my doctor before the glucose test and he said I'm doing well. I gained 4 Ib so far and looks like my tummy is the only part growing. My face looks a little smaller. I hope my baby will keep sucking off my fat...hahaha.

２８週目に入りました。　妊娠後期の始まりです。　血糖値の検査をしに行きました。　砂糖が５０グラム入ったオレンジ味のソーダを一気飲みして１時間待ち、血液を採取。　異常があれば連絡するとのことで、まだ連絡はありましぇん。　ないといいな。　ファンタオレンジみたいでおいしかった…。　検査の前にドクターとのチェックアップがあったけど、特に以上もなく赤ちゃんも順調ぽかったのでよかった。　体重はまだ２キロ増で抑えてあります。　このまま健康に、赤ちゃんに脂肪を吸い取ってもらって出産できるといいな…笑。

It's been 1 year and 4 months since I got a hair cut...

I finally got a hair cut! It's been more than a year since I did something done to my hair and I was still in Japan. It's just scary to try new hair salon in a foreign country, you know.

Well, my hair was getting too long and unmanageable, and I knew I had to do something about it before our baby comes. My hair would be in the way whenever I try to take care of my baby and that's just going to be another hussle.



So, I did it. It didn't turn out like I wanted but it's ok. Now it's so easy to wash, dry and style:)

Week 26

あるクリスチャンからの言葉 Message from a Christian friend

マイミクのクリスチャンおばさんがこんなことを日記に書いていました。

クリスチャンとしての在り方

クリスチャンである事を隠したりせず誇りに思っていますか。。。。。 私たちには、この世のブランドよりもっと素晴らしい名前があります。それは「クリスチャン」です。 しかしこの名前はこの世の他のブランドに比べあまり信頼されていません。 クリスチャン達は神の目には選ばれた民であり、聖なる民、神の所有とされた民であるにもかかわらずこの世の人々はそんな存在とは思っていません。 其れはクリスチャン達がその名に相応しい生活が伴わないからです。 私たちに与えられた素晴らしい名に泥を塗る結果となっていないで しょうか？・・・・・ クリスチャンと言う名、自体が誰からみても信頼の対象になるような、 生活の中で主に喜ばれるようになりたいです。。。。。 クリスチャンとして私達を見ている人々がいることを忘れないで キリストの中で新たな存在感が持てるように祈っていきたいです。

My Mixi Friend was writing this on her page.

Living as a Christian

Are you proud of yourself as Christian without hiding your faith in this world?
We have a name (or an identity) on ourselves that is far better than having worldly brand name, which is being a Christian.
However this name is probably not so trusted or respected in this world. To God’s eyes, we are the chosen ones, and holy because of the death of His Son, Jesus. But non-believers don’t really care if you are such people. They don’t care maybe because the Christians they have seen or met are not showing to them that they are living by faith and act on God’s teaching. They may even think that we are just a bunch of hypocrites. As a result, we aren’t being the light of the world and the salt of the earth to the people who don’t know God.

We want to show people that we carry the same cross as once Jesus did to save us. Living like Christ is what God wants us to do and people will see God through us making action on faith.
Don’t forget that there are people watching you as Christians, so let’s be responsible with what to do in daily life. I pray that we will be different in the way of how God wants us to be.

July 4th Weekend

Last weekend of June, we were invited to one of our elder's house for BBQ.

うちの教会の牧師トニーの家で花火。毎週木曜日はトニーの家で聖書クラスがあります。独立記念日の前日ということでみんなで手持ち花火しました。　

We have Bible study at our preacher's house every Thursday and since it was the day before the Independence Day, we did some fireworks afterwards.

BBQ at Grandpa's

My favorite dessert is Grandma's Blackberry Cabbler:) She makes one every time I come.