Busy November

Been a bit slack at keeping this updated this month thanks to the dreaded Swine Flu knocking us off our feet for a week. First C ( remind me that the flu test is a massive stick shoved right up babies nose and not to do that again to the poor munchkin) Then Cliff, but some Tamiflu made him puke violently, and then mommy for 2 days in bed but with sicky husband off for the week to help me thank god and what with Takako downstairs and lovely Emma leaving parcels of chicken noddle and other lovely food on the doorstep, we were very lucky indeed. Nobody wanted Cliff back in the office and the school made me keep Charlize away for almost 2 weeks which was ok as she needed the rest really anyway. It all happened on the eve of Halloween that she started to get sick of all days the special trick and treating day at school where the kids went round the local shops in the wagon collecting pre screened only healthy snack goodie bags! She looked so cute in her Elmo costume sent along with the bumble bee one from Uncle Karl Karl in New York. We also got a ton of toys (Elmo talking doll being the highlight) which she loves and hates at the same time is now trying to get him in a strangle hold after about 20 minutes! She has the Fischer price aeroplane too and is really into role play these days especially the one that involves sitting in a cardboard box with buster cat, kittychan and snoppy ( not elmo he is too big) and then landing in Rome Italy and going to the wendy house which is the hotel where she whips them all up a full English breakfast on grandads cooker before chucking them into the pool which is the giant cushion on the floor! Grandad bought her a lovely wooden cooker for her birthday which she likes to put bad Teddy's in the oven. We got her some lego (not a big hit) and a etch a sketch which is a big hit but she usually commands me to draw whatever anime characters is flavour of the month.
Went to Sakamotos at last and I am now 13 weeks preggers baby due May 27th (so not as far along as I thought and not two which is a bit of a let down as that could have explained my massive 4 kilo pork in the first trimester. The Insurance company darn having to have American insurance, are giving us the run around on what doctors and hospital we can use looks like I might not be able to have sakamoto so might have to seriously consider doing NHS at home. Anyway I am now thinking WHAT WAS I THINKING going for number 2?!!!
Today charklize stayed in school till 1pm for Kokomore as we did the Costco run for the party food and Emma bought loads as did I we only just managed to ram it all in Takakos car. Will have fun doing sausages on sticks etc tomorrow evening but I am just ordering a couple of giant plates of sushi for the adults we have 45 people coming... We had to cancel the party last weekend because school wouldn't let us anywhere near, but now we are good to go and at least its not my house and there is a soft gym for the kids to throw themselves around in. I even managed to get a massive sheet cake all iced with balloons etc to feed 48 for just 2800JPY which is so unbelievable because at Costo as most Japanese bakeries charge 37,000JPY for that size!!! Not sure what it will taste like but it looks ok.
Feeling really really sick still the morning sickness or should I say all day sickness is still going strong. I may capitulate and buy the 17,000JPY for 6 tablet sickness tablets from Sakamoto on monday when I go for the nucal fold test etc.
Oh and Karl my lovely brother has booked us tickets to NYC for Xmas and New Year and is taking us skiing in Vermont for xmas and putting C into ski school. Shame I wont be able to ski... But maybe some books and the hot tub and snow shoeing will suffice.
Been thinking of mum every day this week. cant belive its 2 years. Still does not seem real or fair for that matter. She would so love to be at charlizes birthday this weekend.
Anyway its 9pm and my bed is beckoning..

School Bazaar and TAC breakie

Had a nice few days despite the weird weather from the typhoon. Went to TAC for breakie last day to use the free 2 week membership so was nice to scoff with Louise who brought along now 2 month old Sophie and see Sarah who bought along 2 week old Finn. Rieko tanuki had the day off work so came with us too. Of course she was late as expected but C was happy to have her tease her on the train ride to school. All of us are greedy piggies ordering the continental set plus egg dishes. Did feel mightily sick though the morning sickness or should I say ALL DAY SICKNESS is just as bad as it was with C. Jenny who is 5 months along was feeling sick too but didn't stop her eating through the pain barrier!!! It was a nice catch up. In the afternoon was supposed to go to jyugaoka shopping with Emma as we are NEXT members and we get 30% off right now but C would not wake up from her nap I tried to get her up at 2:30 but she rolled over cried and went back to sleep. I think its the new miffy feather quilt I bought her she loves it!!! Monkey didn't wake up till 4pm so I just called Jenny who walked up the hill with Jamie and came to play for a bit. Charlize was being very very bossy though wouldn't get out of the aeroplane Cliff had made out of a box and kept insisting "Do captain voice mommy now!!!" and kept trying to pinch my nose the bugger to make me sound like the captain!!! This went on for far too long until I lost it and said that the captain was tired and had gone to sleep in his hotel which shut her up for 5 mins. My daughter is the most bossy stubborn child I know bit worrying really have my work cut out..

Saturday today and Cliff took the monster to the park and I did some food shopping. Met up at obika the new mozzarella bar for an expensive but ok lunch. The mozzarella surprisoingly enough comes from Frosinone and Ceccano which is where our summer house is!!! C ate all the mozzarella of course she has expensive taste.. and Rieko joined us late as usual arrived as we were finishing! So Cliff took C back for her nap and I followed a bit later.

This afternoon it was the teacher talent show at school followed by charity bazaar. It was lots of fun Adrian has an AMAZING voice and the teachers went all out to put together some really funny skits. The Nepalese restaurant owners whose boy attends school provided lovely free Nepalese food and Emma, Takako and I helped to flog the cakes on the bake stall along with Takakos amazing flower arrangements that were snapped up quick sharp. Snapped up some chocolate brownies and scones and Michelles banana cake as I have tried her cakes before at her coffee morning they are super scrum. Should keep my cake monsters happy for a few days! but the thought of cake for me makes me wanna up chuck which is a good thing!
Had a massage and C got her face and fingernails painted and ran riot in the gym with Ellie and Sumire with dog ballons chasing each other and going generally nuts. cliff bought me a lovely cashmere black and white scarf and C a funky beanie. We didnt leave until around 6pm it was a fun afternoon. Its a long weekend with Monday a holiday so off to think how we will spend the next few days!

Typhoon Season

So far its been a lovely autumn but this week we have had nothing but rain with torrential gusts forecast for wednesday and thursday which sucks for being able to get out of the house. Staying in usually ends up with Charlize demanding to chain watch movies, her tele addict tendencies I am trying to nip in the bud. Today she was in school in the am and had class picture shoot. Whose bright idea was it to make the youngest Caterpillar class have the white Kokomo t shirt as their uniform!!! Went with Emma and Takako over to Michelle's massive house to talk about the charity that she is single handed running!!! Me I was in it to be nosey and have a free piece of cake and freshly prepped coffee!!! Nice watching the dynamics of the other keen mums trying to do stuff but being shot down by Michelle who had already decided the calender for the whole year at least somebody is organised! Good entertainment factor these mum get togethers. Went to book off and bought C some new books as she is bored of all hers we have read them all to death. Went home on subway with Takako in pouring rain and then had a nap while C slept. This afternoon had playdate over at Rachel's so walked there again in the pouring rain with Takako. Note to self-need new rainmac, mine is useless no longer waterproof in the slightest. Made Cliff pick up subway sandwich on his way home for his dinner as could not stomach smell or preparation of food. Got a second hand easyliving mag from book off so going to bed now leaving Cliff to watch Madagascar on the sofa what an excellent movie that is its the penguins "I like to move it move it" scene brilliant! ( Ok this blog is sad sad sad if I am writing about kids movies) need to GET A JOB AND MY LIFE BACK!!!!!

Relaxing Weekend

For me it was a relaxing weekend as Cliff both Saturday and Sunday took the monster out in the morning. Saturday they had a nice trip to the Shinagawa Aquarium although reported 2 weewee accidents but probably because of the excitement of seeing nemo and all those dolphins. Instead of putting feet up did a Nissen mega shop so I hope I don't have to go again for at least another 5 days the way cliff eats thru the fridge! Saturday afternoon Steph Ryohei and Roman popped over its been ages since we saw them as Steph has gone back to work at Waseda but she teaches 10 weeks intensively then has 3 months off so not too bad and gets day care for Roman. Roman and C played really nicely together and Cliff took them onto the balcony to "set nemo free" the balloon that I bought her this week and which we had promised to let fly back to his mama and dada in the ocean at the weekend. It was a big ceremony! Steph and Ryohei left around 5pm and then we took a cab to the Tokyo American club to meet Emma Stew and Ellie for dinner. I felt really sick though which is the norm pretty much the whole day these days just like with Charlize. Still looking on the bright side might help to keep the pork to a minimum! The good thing aout TAC is there is a play room right in front of the tables in the garden cafe restaurant so we can eat in peace while they play. Also they are mega kid friendly with highchairs an extensive kids menu and Thomas tank cups! We got back late around 7:45pm and c went straight to bed and so did Cliff and I!!! It was about 8:30pm and we slept until 7am the next day!!!!

Today Cliff gave me another morning off and took munster to Ueno Zoo. They came back at 12:45 charlize sporting a case full of penguins which she is now obsessed with. They give you the run down on what each penguin is its a whole tribe in a little plastic carry case and she took them to the bath tonight and made Cliff and I die. She had a wet flannel on one side of the bath for their bed where she would take each one and do the snoring noise and then suddenly she would go right up close to them and shout WAKE UP WAKE UP followed by MOVE IT!!!! No idea where she got the move it bit from but it was very funny to watch!

I cooked loads of food while they were out but couldn't bring myself to eat a bite of it so once they were back and fed and sleeping I wondered down to the Azabu square to the Japanese place on the corner for some fish, pickles white rice and miso. Rieko came and met up and we went for a green tea after but still felt sick so took a walk to Roppongi Hills by which time Cliff was up with monster and we met and walked to Hiroo park. Cliff wanted to have cake so went to the deli and Rieko departed for her personal training session as she has lost 4 kilos and is determined to loose a bit more. Picked up some lobster and bisque soup with whole grain rice from soup stock kitchen for C s dinner and headed home. When we got home gave a small present to C of a doctors set with stethoscope and all the bits which she insisted cliff and I be her test patients as she diligently took our temperature, listened to chest, examined stomach, minky (with some cream on it) gave multiple injections and then issued us prescriptions. We have been to the docs 5 times in 2 weeks so she really understand what its all about now!!
The roast lamb with rosemary is almost gone, made some nice roasty potatoes haven't had for long time. Its 9:15 so time for beddie byes.

TAC and Playdates

yesterday we had a mums coffee morning at School so they took Charlize for a couple of hours. First time to meet the other mums mostly Japanese with foreign husbands. Typically it was Emma and I doing most of the talking. Good that they are going to take C to the toilet with the Chrysalis group so that she is not held back with the potty training. Also asked for an afternoon ballet class as opposed to the one they run now from 12:30 to 1:30 right during nap time. Also its been a nightmare with the menu at school as the Japanese mums want Japanese food and the western mums more western and nobody can agree what should be served. I dont care, the food is actually really really good, very healthy no sugar and well balanced. If C doesnt eat it thats because she doesnt feel like it not because she doesnt like it. The kids are not even 2 yet so there will be days when they simply dont want it I think the mums are making a load of fuss over nothing. Still the school as its so expensive has to show it listens and acts on the feedback. So glad to have delegated the class leader role to Emma and Takako!!! They are moaning about it now though!!!

Emily and Alison popped over in the afternoon and C was grumpy I think she was still ill from the ear infection but after a poo (maybe constipation) she was soon playing dolls house with Emily again. They liked the box that Cliff had made in the morning into a pretend aeroplane!

Today C was in school again and I took Takako, Emma and her sister who is visiting from Korea to the American club where we had a lesuirely breakfast it was really nice. Shame its only gonna last 2 weeks until the trial is up as we cant rustle together 20,000 for the joining fee and another 800 a month ontop of that!!! It apparently has 10,000 members (has to all be corporate) as who the hell can afford that? The Japanese mums at my school probably who all own companies!!!

This afternoon had a playdate over at Silvia and Diegos in Azabu so just across the road. Silvia is expecting a boy in Februay and feeling really sick this time with the preganancy. Donna was there with baby Marianne so it was a mellow afternoon as the kids played ok Charlize is really play acting with toys and animals now so its a bit less intense although she ate all the cake and insisted she NEEDED more cake. When we got home she said she NEEDED cake for dinner too. I am afraid after Italy she is developing her dads sweet tooth. Still her fav foods are still brocolli carrots cheese and pineapple so I not too worries but think we need to have a break from the cake. C is in school again tommorow so off to the flower marlet with Sumire in the car as she has some students to teach over the weekend and I have never been so might be worth a nose around.

Caz sent a mail to say that baby Roman Bruce Townsend was born today but have not as yet had a pic. Also Sarah Maxs mum had Finnegan yesterday weighing in at a whopping 4998!!!

Feel a bit sick tonight probably overate a bit today. Need to watch diet carefully really dont want to gain too much pork. Right exhausted my new bed time these days is 9pm!!!

Back from our LOOOONG vacation

So we are heaing into the end of September and we have been back fr0om Italy and Thailand about a month now.This year we had a FANTASTIC holiday as more or less had people every week and Dad stayed pretty much the whole time. I had to get on his case alot about not baking in the sun and we avoided marys bar and cakes more than last year and infact I did loose miraculously 3 kilos only to discover last week that I am up the duff again hence at least explains why none of my clothes fit ALREADY!!! I really dont want to pork too much this pregnancy as had hard time getting weight off after Charlize. Some mums snap back after 2 months ( I was never one of the snapper backers..)

Cant get an appointment until 22nd October with Sakamoto the one and only doc that offers epidurals if you want it and delivers all the forgein mums babies. Thinking I may go with a just a Japanese speaking gyno this time at least I can get an appointment.

Cliff is reckoning he is "2 shot Trotta" . Guess thats his job done for the year then!!!

Since getting back it seems that everyone we know is sporting baby number 2 bumps. This time feel totally blase about it all just hope I can cope with madams demands when I am the size of a house.

Caz sent a really nice thank you letter for the stay in Italy. It was really nice having her there with Greg this year I cant belive they drove all the way from England and then she climbed up a mountain in her buffalos when she was so preggers!!! Typical Caz. She FB to say waters broke on friday but still no action and its monday. I know she wanted a home birth so watching for news. Next year should be like a creche in ceccano!!! Thea will have a blast with all those little dollies to take care of. Charlize misses her like crazy they played so lovely together this year and both their swimmimg came on in leaps and bounds. Charlize is NEMO her element being Scorpio is water and she can swim like a fish under and ontop of it with no fear at all it really is amazing.

Another milestone was Cs transition in early July after arriving in Italy into big girl pants. She is toliet trained now although I still put a nappy on her at night time although she does wake up dry. We had only one accident on the plane from Thailand to Tokyo when she had a nap and did a little wee.

She has been sick with ear infections, cold and candida as a result of being so run down so we have had 4 trips to docs this week ( medical bills are killing us).

Cliff had some major disappointment at work this week, promises were not kept, which has kind of overshadowed all the good news but I think after the year left to run on our time here in Japan is done we need to head for a different place more permanently and that if I can help it wont be the US. I really want my children to have a good education and good health care and hence I think Europe is a better bet for us. Dont know how this is all going to work out but cliff is now in apply and get out mode which really its probably about time.

C is back at school but missed this week mostly because of illness. I was thinking to move her up as she is toliet trained and the other kids in her class are not, but I am not wanting to split her from her friends Ellie and Sumire. Will probably move her up in December then.

Got a 2 week trial pass to Tokyo American Club this week so we can enjoy the heated pool until novemeber. Karl also called me and we need to now plan Xmas vacation. I am thinking Disney land as when new born comes we wont be able to do that so easily.

Thailand was great again this year we had the IATA conference for 1 week so had the same 2 bedroom suite on executive floor room 2020 at the Amari it was really relaxing.

Feel pooped so off to bed now. Uploading a selection of pics from Italy and Thailand

Playdates and end of Term

This week cliff has been away again in ORD so I tried to keep the monster out and about as much as possible so we could avoid the 5pm melt down!!! Loads of playdates this week (Melanie/Carter/Emi/Emma/Ellie on tursday afternoon. Takako and Sumire ( our neighbours downstairs) at Appi and the park this week, Emi Naomi, Melanie Emma on wednesday. Thursday with Diego Syliva, Takako/Sumire Emma and Ellie for Rhythmic gym class in Japanese at Nandemo jidokan. Theme was twinkle twinkle little star and Charlize was in the mood to speak Japanese so lota of kochi kochi and achi achi!!! This afternoon after school we met Alison and Emily in teh park and then did Appi. C made a lovely Tanabata display hanging lots of scribbled stars off some bamboo which we put in the entrance hall for daddy to see when he is home from Chicago tonight.

Rieko came over last night ( she had been sick for a week with stomach flu) and C was happy to see her again and drove her mad with the Mickey Mouse alarm clock that goes konnichi wa in very annoying girly Japanese voice!!

Only managed curves once this week and drank way too much coffee.. Did start to lay ironed clothes and water toys out on the spare bed but need to get ontop of packing as only a week till the off to Italy.

Today was last day of term at school and Sumire and Takako went along this morning for a trial and I think they will sign up for the summer school. The kids went in fancy dress with C wearing her lovely tutu and Ellie as superman!!! Just a note that C no longer even wimpers at drop off she is too excited to get in and start playing!! We went in early to pick the kids up around 11:25 so we could give the teachers their presents. Emma and I went halves on body shop gifts for Fuyuko and HMV voucher for Hadar ( he is performing at Fuji Rock this year!!). When we picked them up they were all sitting around the table eating out of a giant scooped out watermelon and C was very happy to see me but wouldn't let me out of her sight as Emma and I I were the last mums in as the door downstairs was locked and nobody around to let us in!!!!

So tomorrow off to Toyasu LALAPORT with Emma and Ellie and Rieko tanuki if she wakes up in time.

Cliff came home tonight bearing Barney DVD gifts and a little pony set with book also one called Goodnight Gorilla which we had to read approx 10 times...

Cliff down now and I am about to hit the sack too its been a long week!!!