The business that is my life

So everyone says you get really busy when you have a baby… they weren’t joking. Funny thing is, its not just the baby. It seems like a billion things are all happening at once.

  1. A baby. Lots of crying. Lots of staying awake. Lots of throwing up. (its gross.)
  2. JET Program PR Video

This is a little bit more interesting. I have been selected as one of 6 people to be in the JET program introduction video. This video will be sent around Japan and around the world to show people what the JET program is about and to encourage new recruits.

Basically this means that I have a video crew of about 7 people following me wherever I go. Here in Chunan 7 people is more than I get for most of my classes/activities/events. It makes for some exciting times…. When the video is done I will try and get some clips up.

It also doesn’t help that my house is like 5 degrees. emoticonMy computer room doesn’t have a heater so that plays a big role in me not updating the website. I have a ton of pictures/videos (mostly Noa related) to put up… hopefuly I will get it up soon. davidandkiko 4.0 is also being redone after a few problems appeared in the picture album… but it should be good.

Ok, here are some new pictures. I will get off my ass and get some more albums/photos and some videos up soon! We will be ordering our new camera soon, so expect even better pictures in the next few weeks.

Here are some pictures of Noa and I, and Noa and Kiko’s Mom.

noa3weeks-1.jpg  noa3weeks-2.jpg emoticon

david & kiko & noa update

noathome.jpg

 
Now that I have your attention… emoticon I thought I would give you a little update on how everyone is doing.
First off, as you can imagine, things have been really busy. Kiko came home from the hospital last Wednesday. After a few more days under supervision, Noa was able to come home on Monday. I was at a conference in Tokyo for Mon, Tue, and Wed, but when I got back everyone was settled in at home.
Things have been crazy since then.

Noa’s Schedule
  1. Cry.
  2. Poo.
  3. Cry.
  4. Throw up.
  5. Throw up.
  6. Throw up.
  7. Poo.
  8. Cry.
  9. Sleep. Sort of.
  10. Also important to note that Noa works on Canada time. emoticon

He has also developed a retarded sort of cry that involves him sucking in all the air that he can, and keeping it safe in his stomach until he is ready to use it in his throwing up activities.

As for us, we are both not getting much sleep (Kiko more so than me.)
Worse than that, my monitor broke. Ug. I am currently writing this on the MAC which is the reason for the lack of pictures. I am going to try and pick one up today.
I also had a little video of Noa’s first 12 hours that was going to go up, but unfortunately that will have to wait until I can see what the computer is doing… I know it’s doing something…

I think that’s it for now. Expect a proper album, movies, & more pictures soon. As well as stuff about us.
Thank you again for everyone who has sent cards/gifts/e-mails/support… it has meant a lot.

Noa’s status: pooing.

On my way to Tokyo

Well… unfortunately I have to go to Tokyo for a 3 day conference. It actually sucks a lot, because I won’t be here when Noa gets home from the hospital (which looks like it will be tomorrow! emoticon)

 I will however have a funny story about a Camera that I am being forced to buy … apparently my logic wasn’t good enough, but after Noa was born he was cute enough to warrant a camera. After being told by the people (being you!) that we don’t need one, I had given up. Now I have to start all of my camera purchasing planning again… arg…. woeth me.

At any rate, after Noa is home I should be able to sort out a photo album where you guys can go get your Noa fix (and for those of you who don’t need Noa pictures, I will continue to supply you with my meaningless photos/entries.)

IN THE MEANTIME… here are some very very up-to-date Noa pictures. 10/11 days old and counting. 

noaweek2-1.jpg  noaweek2-3.jpg noaweek2-4.jpg

That is all. 

A Kiko Update … by Kiko

よ うやく退院しました!出産はホント大変だったけど、かわいい我が子とのご対面は感激でしたemoticon

私の方は産後の体調もよく、順調に回復し ています。ノア君は最初の2日間ミルクを吐いて体重が減ってしまったので、まだ病院にいます。でも今はミルクを吐くこともなく体重も増えているので、今週 末には退院できそうなので心配しないでね!

みんなにノア君は Davidそっくり!と言 われています。 David は自分に似ている息子の誕生に喜んでます。髪の色は茶色で、目は青とグレイがまざったような色をしていて光の具合によって色が変わるのではっきりと何色と は言えないかな。

I’m finally home! Giving birth was very difficult, but I was very moved when I saw our baby emoticon

I am doing fine and am recovering well. Noa was throwing up a little milk and losing weight, so he had to stay in the hospital a little longer. For 2 days. He is very healthy now and is gaining weight so he will be home this weekend, so please don’t worry.

Everyone says that Noa looks like David! David is very happy that he has a son that looks like him. His hair is brown, and his eyes are blue and grey and change color in light so we are not sure what color they will be.

We will post more pictures soon! Thank you for all of your e-mail and nice comments.

Kiko emoticon

Noa’s First Week – Part #2

Happy 1 week!!! (Don’t worry, this won’t be a regular thing!) emoticon 

As promised… here are some pictures of Noa from his 1st week in Japan (or anywhere!) from Kiko’s cellphone. I will begin with one of our favourite pictures so far…

 noa-1stweek-kiko-5.jpg

Look… he’s sleeping. Because he is cute. And that’s what cute babies do…

noa-1stweek-kiko-1.jpg  noa-1stweek-kiko-2.jpg

 noa-1stweek-kiko-3.jpg noa-1stweek-kiko-4.jpg 

That is all. 

Maple Goodness

Japanese Maple are quite beautiful. They are smaller than what we have in Ontario and look great in fall.

 

2005maple1.jpg  2005maple2.jpg

Those were taken by me. I know you want more… so look here

So anyways, we are in Japan. When something is beautiful you:

  1. Write a poem about it.
  2. Fry it up in some tempura and eat it.

tempuramaple1.jpg  tempuramaple3.jpg

Oh you crazy Japanese…  is there anything you won’t do?

It tastes like chicken by the way.

No it doesn’t. It tastes like you are eating a frigging leaf.

Noa’s First Week – Part #1

Still haven’t had a chance to go home for more than 2 seconds. Work is on hold, house is on hold.. everything is on hold until Noa and Kiko get sorted out! 🙂 So since I have been lax in updating the website, here are some pictures of Noa’s first 4 days that were taken at various times with my cell phone. (Part #2 will be from Kiko’s cell phone… she has some really good ones! emoticon)

noa-week1-1.jpgnoa-week1-2.jpg noa-week1-4.jpg noa-week1-5.jpg noa-week1-6.jpg

By the way… don’t worry about the tube. He had a little stomach trouble. He actually really likes it… he thinks it’s a soother… crazy babies. 

Still at the hospital

So here’s what I am going to do. Some of you want more Noa pictures. (Ok, I’m lying… anyone that has bothered to contact me wants more Noa pictures…) (Thanks!! emoticon)

So, I am going to setup a gallery/page for Noa only pictures. It will be updated regularily (because that’s what new parents do… take pictures of their babies!) so you can see how he is doing. If you don’t want the clutter, the main page will still be about us (including Noa stuff) but not only Noa.

This way you get lots of Noa pictures (if you want) and you can still come to read about Kiko, Noa, and I. (which is why you are here… right?)

Until Noa and Kiko I will be posting new pictures of Noa and Kiko here!

Shh… don’t tell anyone… but expect video soon.

noa12.jpg noa13.jpg

Why is his face so red? He enjoys pinching and scratching his eyes and cheeks. He also enjoys sleeping with his hands in his ears. He is a special boy.

 

More Noa

I cave to what the people want. (Or what I want to give the people.)

Kiko and I will be putting up more photos when I get some sleep. But worry not! This will not turn into a Noa-only website. Expect to see lots of stuff from all of us over the next few weeks. (That being said, this is also a good place to get lots of Noa pictures as well.)

noa0.jpg  "waaahhh.. give me books!"

… and send presents. I spoke with Noa and for his birthday he wants presents: English books, CD’s, anything that will enable him to communicate with you! 

Here are some pictures… enjoy!

noa1.jpgnoa2.jpg
noa3.jpgnoa4.jpg
noa5.jpgnoa6.jpg
noa8.jpgnoa9.jpg

Kiko is fine and anxious to get some so we can spend time together as a family.

And yes, I recognize how studly I look in that picture above. It was either that picture (which favours Noa), or the one below, which favours me. I chose the one above (the mark of a good father.)

noa10.jpg

She currently has Noa captive with her in the hospital.

That is all.

Love, David, Kiko, & Noa. 

Baby Awesome…

It was a close call, but between Baby Awesome and Tempura, we decided on: Noa. (Don’t worry, we took all of your votes and suggestions into consideration. For about 1 second…)

Here is what we have decided on:

 noakenichiro.gif

Want a little background on the name? I know you do.

My Mom came up with the name when we were trying to come up with an English name that was easy to pronounce in Japanese. William just didn’t cut it.

The kanji is an interesting reading of the character for "hope/dreams/desire" (Kiko really wanted to use this character) and "sky".

Finally, the middle name, "Kenichiro" is named after my Dad. For good measure we through in the last part of Kiko’s Dad’s names as well. Good? good.