Kiyoshi was born yesterday at 4.25 in the afternoon. It was very exciting, I saw him come out. He was 3390grams and 51cm long - exactly the same as Wataru!

Japanese

和尊も今日で１歳５ヶ月を迎えました。毎日元気に走り回っています。

 

最近はいろいろな事ができるようになり、「ご飯よー」　と言うと自分でいすとテーブルを準備したり、食べたお皿もキッチンの所まで持ってきてくれます。今日は自分が残したご飯を生ゴミのBOXに捨てて私にお皿を渡してくれました。掃除も大好きでいつも手伝ってくれます。和尊が床やテーブルを汚したりした際もタオルを渡すと拭いてくれます。野菜とハーブを育てているのですが、水やりも毎朝和尊がしてくれます。言葉も私たちが言う事はほとんど理解しているようです。スーパーに行くと　りんごを見て　「APPLE！！！」　と言ったり、バナナを見て　「バー」　と言ったりしています。本を見せて、羊は？　アイスクリームは？　と言うとそれらをちゃんと指さします。夜は８時に電気を消すと自分でベッドに行って私かベンちゃんの頭を抱くか、腕枕を和尊が私達にしてくれ寝ます。歯は今６本生えていて、新たに４本生えてきているので１日置きくらいにものすごく大泣きしますが（たぶん１分くらい）すぐ自分で寝ることに集中し、寝てくれます。

 

何でも自分でやりたいという気持ちが芽生えているので、何でもさせています。本人もできる事を楽しんでいるので和尊がしたいことは時間がかかってもやらせるようにしています。和尊も来年の２月にはお兄ちゃんになりますし、きっと弟の面倒も良く見てくれるだろうと思っています。とても頼もしいです。

 

赤ちゃんは順調に育っています。今妊娠２４週です。赤ちゃんは毎日一日中ほとんど動いています。いつ寝ているのか不思議に思って何度もお腹に語りかけています。和尊より動き回っていると思います。また和尊とは違う個性を持った子だと思うので楽しみにしています。今週からヨガにも通い始めました。始めた次の日から朝から体も軽く、出産してからもずっと続けていけたらと思っています。

 

今日メルボルンに行って来ます。新鮮なお魚があったらなますを作ってみようと思っています。べんちゃんが呪文のように　ばあちゃんのなますが食べたい　と言っているので。

 

It's been a long time since I wrote anything here.

 

We're living in Nyah West now, and I'm working about 50 k's up the road for McGuigan Simeon Wines, driving tractors and other stuff. Kaori's pregnant again, and we're going to have another boy in February.

 

We're all very healthy and happy, but also very tired. We miss Japan, and we need to get a car, and probably better accommodation, but we're confident it will all pan out. I'll write some more detailed stuff when I have the time.

So we made it back to Australia. We have no time, and no internet access, so it"s going to be a while before we can get more pictures and detailed stuff here

 

Yesterday we went to Nichinan and the castle at Obi. It's a re-constructed castle, but it was fantastic anyway. 30 odd years ago they rebuilt everything, trying to keep with the original designs. It was heaven for me. There was the entrance, main building (which now houses a museum) and two hills with the residence on one and on the other an archery range. Well, it was where they used to practice archery by releasing dogs and trying to shoot them. This was the castle the Shimazu clan from Satsuma captured in the 16th century. It was given to the Ito by Hideyoshi for helping in his Kyushu campaign. I love Japanese history.

 

We also went to Udo Shrine, which is a little closer to Miyazaki. It's built inside a cave, and is dedicated to many gods including Emperor Jimmu's mother.

On Monday we went to Fukuoka to apply for Wataru's Australian passport. We decided to get the train, as driving would be too tiring and take longer. Wataru was very good, he loves travelling. Everywhere we go he is an idol. Random people stop to talk to him and say how cute he is. Of course we already know that, but it's nice to be told!

 

The guy who did the interview said there should be no problems, so we should get his passport in about 2 more weeks. 

 

Please enjoy his pictures. 

 

 

 

 

Haven`t written about Kaori`s visa here, except for our trip to Kagoshima. We think we`ve got everything we need now, except for the $1300 odd application fee. We`ll apply for Wataru`s citizenship by descent at the same time. It`s been so stressful. Anyway now we`re planning to go back to Australia in March next year. With a little bit of luck I`ll be able to get on to a vineyard before too long.

Wataru`s 4 months now. He loves moving! He`ll kick his legs and rotate, moving himself off his futon. Sometimes we`re quite surprised at where he`ll end up. He`s also turning over on his own now. He`s been waking us up around 4 in the morning by thumping his feet on the floor. He`s still sleeping when he does it. Also he`s constantly making noises, even blowing raspberries!