Thailand and 2 months of Grandad

So Grandad left on monday after 2 months with us. What to report? Well he arrived at 114kilos!!! I sent him home at 106kilos. We had a few rows mostly over his use of slang, Charlize started saying "you wanna punch up the ear? or a bunch er fives".... After a month of winding each other up they did get friendly to the point of C letting him push the buggy and being rather sad now that Grandad is no longer around to fight with!!! I had him pushing it up and down the hill 4 times a day!!! Also he got on the bike and cycled to the Shiba Koen pool with cliff every Saturday and moaned alot about having t0o cover his tattoo with sweat bands to be allowed in but I think we managed to sweat quite a fair amount of fat off so pleased with the plan just need him to stick to it. If you are reading this dad I hope that is a banana you are munching on seriously. We managed a family holiday to Thailand. Cliff left us for a week ( eek it was not easy) to pop to Milan to attend his sister Dominique's baptism of 2 daughters Anna and Sara to whom he is the god father. There was no way I could have done standby with 2 kids to Europe for a few days and back again. He flew from Milan directly to BKK and left me to bring the 2 monsters and Grandad on the red eye on standby... Well we made it but only just. Stayed in Amari again room 2520, got the 155 dollar rate for corner suite massive with 2 rooms and a connecting door for grandad included breakie on executive floor and 3 oclock cocktails and dinner. We chilled mostly round the pool with knowing all the staff as we have been going there since she was born and they love her its the same nice ladies. She wanders up to pool bar and orders herself a fresh coconut juice then does the hands together kapumka thing!!! Did a bit of shopping in pratnam whole sale mall directly outside teh hotel doors and had a Thai massage for 99 bath that is 3 dollars for 2 hours every night. Also splurged and for 30 bucks had mani pedi, 2 hour hot herb massage and facial. God I love Thailand for the affordable pampering. Also the Thai restaurant Thai on 4 in the Amari is great as was the food court on top floor of MBK. Other bargains- I got my Tag watch serviced and battery replaced for 30 bucks instead of 100. Got my teeth filled and cleaned for 50 USD was going to do whitening but then chickened out at last minute thinking it oouch as they are sensitive anyway. Also from the photo shoot we did in Tokyo had the disc and took it to MBK where there is a studio where I laid it out the way I wanted into a collage, bit of photo shop in places and mounted on a massive canvas for the living room. It cost 60 USD as apposed to the 86,000JPY that is 900USD in Japan!!! Shipped it home for 25 USD as too massive to plane and it arrived 3 days later in one piece hurray!!! cliff hates looking at himself on the wall he wants it down but I am not budging! We had a nightmare getting home but stayed calm. All flights out of BKK way over sold on every airline and have been the last year!!! What is the poingt in having airline benefits with a family you can never ever use them. We need better salary instead. We had Grandad with us so our options on other airlines were limited. In the end we had to Jet Star for 50 bucks each but no check in luggage!!! to Singapore ( in end I paid the 20 USD for a check in bag with all my Thai shopping in) and then one night at airport crowne plaza in singers ( modern and walk to check in 1 minute so good as flight left at 7am and nice food court in basement with play area) back to Tokyo on United. did manage 5 seats all to us in Premium economy and had an extra on the bulk head which grandad nabbed and had a nice kid free return flight until charlize worked out how to bonk him on the head over the seat with her head phones!!! The kids were very well behaved with all the travel all things considered but we did get reminded that Charlize can not do cars she projectile voms after 10 mins in a car we had that prob in Italay too every year in the people carrier I had just forgotten. So that meant we only managed Wat Po and a river boat taxi and the rest we had to sky train. Back to Tokyo last week and its still warm now even in October it has been a very hot hot summer this year. Serafina doing well growing growing so fast. She coos, says mamama, sits almost unaided and can push up really well on her tummy. She is a very easy going little dolly although we do have some probs with colic she really does not bring up wind no matter how much I try and burp her and then an hour later screams in pain. Roll on 6 months. Also breast milk low at 6pm feed but sorted that thankfully with the Fungkuk herb tablets from Lesley. To date she has not had formula ( I tried) but she wont take the bottle..) Apart from making armpits stink of cumin they really do work. Charlize in love with Lesley's little girl Vivinne and Bella the dog who she wants to take for walks all the time. Dont ask me about cliffs job I still have no idea and almost afraid to think about it. Just putting out of mind. Soon to be Halloween and then after that it will be Cs birthday so other things to keep us busy. Xmas is how many months away???!!!! HELP!

Modelling with toddlers DONT DO IT!

Today was a toughie. Had a family pic at Keyshots with Kerry. She did one of us with C but now we have S decided to update much to the humings and DO WE HAVE TOs??? of Cliff and my Dad..

Had a big poof ball of dresses for C and S and made grandad and Cliff change out of shorts and flip flops pleading that "its only 1 hour of your god darn lives suck it up will ya!!! Well it was world war 3 at the studio given that C would not give up the farting elephant soft teddy she found (why oh why keep that in the studio?) for love nor money. We had to do all her shots with the farter!!! Then she had a screaming kicking fit on the floor "NO PICTURE OF MOMMY WITH SERAFINA!!! I resorted to bribery but even that didn't cut it. So 160 quid poorer and only pics of C with a pout you could hang a picture off and farting elephant making cameo appearance in every shot. As far as getting her and S together, forget that idea she was about to murder her!!! The green eyed monster really was in full force today so naughty.

She was like an angel 3 days ago for the combi mini shoot which also turned into an ordeal given it was 5 hours long instead of like 2 and the kids did 6 outfit changes and were there till 6pm. I had left S with Aimee at home as it was over her long nap and thought would be done and dusted in 2 hrs max but instead she woke up screaming for boobie would def not take a stinky bottle so had to cab poor aimee with wailing S strapped on to the studio. Also blame the studio experience for 2 bad things. They had toy guns in the toy box ( which I had passed off to C as a "bubble machine" until the little boy model corrected us.. and then the stylists taking them up to the glitzy mirror stylists room to tong their hair and put blusher on them!!! I told C it was face paint, again shattered when Isabella said : don't be silly its make up my mommy wears that!" I don't wear make up ( i need it mind you) and had managed to avoid her knowing about it. Today when she was playing for the 1000 time snow white with Grandad as the wicked witch, she told the mirror on the wall after she feel down dead from eating the poison apple, that she neede to " quickly do her makeup!!!" ARRRRRGH. Anyway she is down now after being out till 9pm romping in the mud in Juban park as its the local bon odori. Had to hose her down at the door.

other news is cliff got Lasik. I took him on friday (I would never had gone thru with it) but he did and he was in pain all yesterday so I was frabtically looking at all teh things that could go wrong online ( big mistake). Then today he waked up no pain and gets checked up andnow has 20/20 vision. Just hope all stays well. he looked a bit bruised in the pics but what with the farting elephant and wailing Serafina with a bad case of wind the pics are just AWFUL anyway!!! Gotta laugh!

3 month check up

Took plumps for her first check today. Found a nice newly opened clinic in Hiro called Flow East clinic!! The nice doc from Aiku who speaks English opened it they take both hokensho and private and the minatoku coupons. Lovely and clean and appointment system online so no wait. Plumps is 64cm long and 7kilos at 3 months the doc says she is the size of a 6 month baby and in the 91st percentile. God love her she really cried at the injections very different from C she is a real sensitive type mummy's girl whereas C never did nor even now bats an eyelid at the doctors injections and all. Next is BCG which is the hideous one with 12 needles. Maybe I shouldn't do it as we are off to US but thinking it might be good to get out the way as UK do it school age. Planning a get away to Thailand. Flight going down look good but always coming back they are full. Grandad if he can change his ticket will come with us too. Plumps in terms of development has been able to push up on her hands for the past month and kind of go forward. She is very alert, grabs everything and something that C never did she actually talks and coos all the time like a real conversation. Much more tactile and cuddly. c is more Ike Cliff does not like cuddles and space invaded. c also still a little jealous and a little spoiled which I am working very hard at turning around. She is just too clever for her own good. The most fab negotiator. cliff and I love " No mommy I don't like my bath its just not my favourite"!!! She is so full of imagination telling stories about the Cheshire cat that lives in her curtains and the goonies and tooth fairy etc. She asks all the time what words say in books and on the TV so she is ready to start reading I think. Need to stretch her more and Juliet has asked to put her up which I want to but then she would miss Ellie and Sumire her best mates so maybe she needs to stay longer and play. They do phonics anyway its just that the other kids are not articulating diddly sqat and its boring for her. Anyway it was a rude wake up at 5am this morning with S so better get to bed before 10pm this evening!

3 months tommorow

Well I have been rubbish at keeping up to date but by the time 9pm rolls around I am ready to hit the sack! Plumps is doing well soooooo chilled compared to manic C THANK YOU DEAR GOD!!! Now no longer afraid to be alone with the 2 of them. even managed music together today with both and Charlize had Serafina sit on her lap for Trot old Joe and didnt kill her RESULT!!!

Plumps is 7 kilos at just 3 months. She has "OSHIII HAMU LEGUS" as auntie Reiko likes to tickle! We did actually get modelling work the usual combi mini was surprised but both monsters got choosen so that is 700 quid for 3 hours work, YES WE LOVE CHILD LABOR!!! S made the front cover if the mag ( well at least that is what they were shooting for so hope they do use it as quite cute pics I think?) Will be using that dosh for either new electric bike f towards Cliffs eye surgery!!!! He went and had a 3 hour test in Shinjuku clinic with Rikeo and is thinking about it.

So far the summer tokyo heat has been minging. 35 degrees to 40 some days unbearable. We have had some nice matsuri stuff going on. Did a big one with Donna, squidge and aunt diane on the saturday in Azabu. Rieko Naomi and her mum and Setsuko Cs Japanese teacher and her daugher Mari came over and we did the whol yukata dress up and photo Shoot on the balcony. Good fun and Riekos mum even got a x5 XL jimbei suit for Grandad who is here for a month until end of September. Next day we did it all again with the Harbers, Austins and Mines. Sunday was a nice chill out went to Blue Point cafe in Shiroganedai for the STylists garage kindly told to me by Mary in the know. Had a lovely lunch while plumps did her big sleep and Aunt Diane, Rieko her mum and Donna and I then proceded upstairs wher 8 stylists had set up selling off al;l theur ohito shoot clothes for hardly anything. Got a gorgeosu Marni beaded skirt for 2000JPY and Day Birger top with intricate lavender flower design on also for 1000JPY!!! Aunt Diane and the girls went made and bought loads. You could try on and the stylists would suggest stuff and do your make up too. Since I cant shop these days it was great everything in one place, chilled, only a few people and not so takai.

Still looks lilke Chicago for the end of the year. That is likle 16 weeks!!!! Arrrrgh not thinkng about it.

1 month and counting!

So Serafina Satsuki made her appearance on May 30th 2010 at 11:30pm just 30 minutes off my birthday 4 days over !!! Sakamoto asked if I wanted to hold on I told him to bugger off!! Contractions started around 2pm on sunday and I managed to hold off going to Aiku until 7:30pm so that I could make sure everyone had eaten their tea including Rieko her mum cliff and the monster!!! We all cabbed it up there with c doing heavy breathing with mommy!!! They took me off for a little fiddle to discover I was alrady 8cm dilated hurrah!!! It didn't hurt so bad this time and they reckoned I would go into pushing not so long so I was praying Sakamoto would get in his posh car and get there super quick. He came and I was doing ok so he went away then came back and said I needed to break my waters. I said NOOOOO but he did it anyway. THEN the contractions really stepped up so 15 minutes later I had him back in and said DO EPIDURAL NOW!!!! He did it and 10 minutes later I was already pushing the baby out. 6 pushes and she was out but they were very very difficult pushes. She weighed in at 4.3kilos and 54cm long!!! Ouch they then left me in the delivery room ALL NIGHT on that hideous bed on a drip saying I would need to stay until came next day as afraid I would bleed like last time!!! So NO SLEEP AND EXHAUSTED In my own crap and undercarriage so hurting even with the epidural wearing off!!! Lasted only 3 days in Aiku as the woman I HAD to share with (all single rooms gone) kept opening the window at 4am !!!! ARRRRRGH. Breast feeding went much better though this time and I am still persevering now and the milk flow is much better than with C where I had bugger all. Its one month on today and c is the biggest nightmare or at least I think we are turning a corner with the jealousy stuff this week. She is helping more and not so terribly clingy and stopped saying PUT THAT BABY DOWN NOW MOMMY!!! I THROW HER AWAY!!!!

Only positive side is I lost 11 kilos in 3 weeks!!! Crazy I know I weigh less than before Igot preggers. better stay this way! Its just exhaustion and breast feeding I think?

Next stress is Cliffs wicked boss has called us back to chicago by the end of this year. NOOOOOO We wanted to stay for the ANA integration one more year that was the point.. Anyway now only a few months to get action plan together sigh.

Baby waking up have to run

D Day is here

Its the 27th today but baby Apple Juice as C has endeared her still has not made her debut. Riekos mum came over on wednesday and is camped out in the spare bedroom with enough luggage to last her a year and so much food I can hardly shut the fridge door. Had very bad belly ache but cured the benpi after countless trips to the loo so reckon its probably going to be tomorrow as its a full moon too!!! Whatever, just want this over with now Fed up of waiting. Monster being tantrum like knows the baby is coming and reverted to siting in the babies vibrating chair asking for a dummy!!! Also having fun trying to communicate with Obachan as best she can in Japanese!! She had a good pose in her frilly pink dress the other day ( only frilly and pretty pretty cuts it these days) forget trying to get her into jeans and Tshirts.. She does at least attempt to dress herself though which is some progress at 2 and half. Plus I don't have any potty training nightmares thank god that happened at 16 months record speed I am thankful for. She is talking like an old lady, comes out with some very funny things. Had school report for which she got all top marks for verbal communication which was not a surprise. She is apparently quiet good at logic and reasoning too but we are talking about a 2 year old so as long as she is learning some manners I am happy as she is a bit wild and THE most stubborn child I know Exhausting! Anyway off to check I have everything in the hospital bag. Really hoping for a quick and not too hideous labor. ARRRRRGH

Warm and Sunny May

Ok 10 minutes before monster waks up so highlights highlights!!! Only weeks or maybe days away now from loosing Orca status and having 2 kids.. April was terrible rainy and cold but May so far has been sunny all the way. Golden week I begged cliff to take us to Thailand and the flights were looking good as the unrest kept people away, but my belly was not looking safe so cliff said no boo hoo!! So we ended up going to Nagano Ken to see homestay family and all the Olympic Volunteers from when i worked as a CIR in Nagano prefecture during the 1998 Olympics. Its been 12 years and they all looked pretty much the same. We ended up in a lovely soba noodle restaurant which I might add was only 1000JPY for a massive fresh portion with a huge plate of Tempura whereas in Azabu its 1800JPY for rubbish!!! Aunty Rieko came with us thank God so had extra pair of hands to tame the monster who without a nap is hyper nigtmare and there was no place for naps on our 2 day adventure. After lovely lunch we went to Homestay mums mothers house which is something out of a Samurai castle warrior movie massive in the countryside with orchard but she is 90 almost and living there alone and its just too much for her. She was sooo happy to have company charlize ran the tatami matt rooms and corridors and banged on the piano and then finally stopped energiser bunny mode when we went to the orchard and she climbed into pushchair. We took a later shink to Karuizawa picked up hire care and had a hard time figuring which of the HUGE and many Prince hotel cottages we were staying in. Finally found it, checked in and then headed for dinner and an onsen. C was soooo tired but went in the onsen with cliff and went crazy swimming In the rotenburo she has very thick skin so tolerates 42 degrees no probs! I was just relived to get to relax without her! At 9 we got back and she was out for the count. Next day we had an early Japanese breakfast and at the hotel and then headed up to Onioshidashi the volcanic hiking trails at bottom of Mt Asama ( bear in mind I am waddling at a few weeks before D day!. C was tired and grumpy but picked up after ramen and a poo!!! So we looked for the farm and then trecked to a lovely waterfall before doing the Karuizawa ginza street full of tat and ice creams before a sniff around the American outlet mall at the station before shink back to Tokyo. Next day I started to have contractions and needed to stay in bed the whole day!!! Just over did it tad!! Cliff took c to Karate workshop on tuesday led by a very scary looking black belt hulk. Instead of punching the guard she hugged it and would have gone dressed in her tutu if possible. Spoke to Karl and dad and they have actually booked flights to come out ( wow!). Dad arrives 1st June for 1 month and Karl 12th June for 10 days. Today just got back from a fire station trip with the school and c and thinking should I do that hill again in search of an ice cream this afternoon. Hum? Anyway over and out until maybe after baby arrives or maybe not we shall see.