Poker Face

Uncle J came for a visit to hang with Uta and check out his new niece. He demystified the car seat and drove us all into Manhattan for Kizuki's first doctor's appointment. Once home he made dinner; chicken adobo, rice, and corn on the cob. With my being a retired vegan of twenty years, meat still attached to a bone and looking more animal than edible rarely (never?) makes it into the house. (This to the general dismay of my boys.) Uta grabbed a drumstick and dug right in. "Oh my god," he said, "I'm really eating deep. I'm eating right to the bone. Just like a caveman." Dinner was really good, especially since I didn't do a thing to help. Thanks J!

After dinner Uta had his first sip of beer. He liked it, a little too much. (It was Guinness.) He went running to the kitchen to retrieve a cup and begged and pleaded for us to fill it up. (We did not.) 

Maybe we are taking his new found all grown up big brother privileges a little too far? Nah! Lets roll with it and introduce the boy to poker and betting while we're at it. With the whole family gathered round the table, a big can of pennies, and Uncle J whispering strategy into his ear, Uta was initiated into the world of poker.  And he loved it. A monster was born right before our very eyes. We played for three hours straight. The next morning he woke up with only one thing on his mind. Poker. He spent the next two days in hot pursuit of a Royal Straight Flush. Which he got, the real deal. (Photo above.) This boy is scary.

9 days old

From Cucumber to Kizuki

 

Uta's first idea on a name for the baby was Cucumber. It was hard work to convince him that perhaps this was not the kindest of names to give his little sister. But finally he was able to see that a vegetable name, nice as a cucumber is, might give her some trouble growing up.

His second thought was Kiki, which he said just popped into his head. He then remembered Miyazaki's film 'Kiki's Delivery Service' and the name, for him, was cemented. Pop and I needed something more.

Kizuki evolved from there. The 'zu' is a respectful nod to a very inspiring friend, Yuzuru-san, Papa's 'Tokyo dad'. He has been a role model to us for a life led by generosity. 

Japanese being a visual language, the way a name looks becomes equally important to how it sounds. And with two different writing systems of its own, and the use of Kanji (chinese characters), there are endless ways to write any given name, and just as many meanings to go along with it. 

Once we had decided on 'Kizuki', we let Papa's parents decide how to write it. In the photo above you can see the Kanji they decided was best. (Kizuki is on the left, top to bottom. Uta is written on the right side, smaller characters, top to bottom.) The beginning 'Ki' means hope and the following 'zuki' means moon.

Thank You Grandma!

Though I never imagined it possible, Grandma managed to make it to our house with time to spare for the arrival of Kizuki. I guess that was the one and only benefit of a surprisingly long labor. (Everyone kept telling me the second one is faster and easier. Not so! But that's a story for another time, I'm not ready to relive it just yet.)  Grandma's presence at the birth was indispensable. She quickly settled in as Uta's birth coach, which meant escaping to the bedroom to play. They reemerged for the exciting part, my little peanut gallery, hooting and hollering with excitement at the appearance of the head, and then the great round crying face that soon followed. Kizuki was born sunny side up, lungs and voice in full use before her body even emerged. 

Grandma stayed to help us through the first week with Kizuki. She kept up with the laundry and the dishes and most importantly showered Uta with so much love that he hardly noticed or cared that my attention had settled on someone new.

Smooth Criminal (Link Here)

All summer Uta and I have been meaning to make a music video... it never happened, and its not likely to happen for a while, considering. Here's a little raw footage to keep Uta's fans happy until the big video debut. Click the title to link to Uta's performance on Youtube.

Kizuki

Kizuki 

born at home

September 20, 2009

8 pounds 6 oz.

20.5 inches long

A girl. 10 fingers. 10 toes. 

She's here!

Walk it down

The reach of love for this baby seems to extend beyond the four corners of the globe. So many are cheering her on, waiting her arrival on the very edge of their seats. The support pouring in is breathtaking and every ounce is felt and deeply appreciated.

We have ceased making any predictions or growing hopeful over subtle changes. Babies don't know their due dates, but they do know better than anyone when to enter this world. We are doing our best to simply trust in the perfect intelligence of nature. There is still time before any medical concerns need be addressed, and it is best for the baby if she is given her due time in the womb. (Can you tell I am trying to convince myself of this as I write?)

Of course it is a challenge to stand idly by... so I am doing what I can to appease this loss of control. They say walking is helpful, do they say that of everything? I suspect its just good medicine for nearly any and all to get a little more oxygen flowing.... but regardless it is advice I have chosen to heed. Today was sun drenched and beautiful. Uta circled me near and far on his bike as I walked around and around the park for hours.