Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy Easter! We are doing great! Claire is so big and doing so many new things! She is really good at signing and is starting to sign some letters of the alphabet - it is so cute! She loves to go visit the horses by our house and says "neigh" everytime we pass the coral. She keeps up on our toes and crazy busy - but she is soooooooo much fun!

Almost 16 months!

Still growing big! She is so funny! She has a walker that she hasn't been in for months. She suddenly wants to pull it out, get in it and walk/run around. It makes me laugh. I guess maybe she feels she has mastered it and likes it that way? Not really quite sure!

So I finally decided on nursing and I feel REALLY good about it! I have a whole list of reasons why and felt I researched and did my best to find the realities of both jobs. It feels good to have made a decision - but still hard to turn down an opportunity to start school to soon!

Other than that - just getting through each crazy hectic day! Claire is doing great and hasn't had any episodes since November - happy happy!

New pictures

Hello there,
Yes - it has been WAY to long! I'll tell you the reason. I have been selfish! Robby sent me a book for my birthday - and sparked my interest in reading again. Ever since then, I can't get my nose out of a book. I forgot how much I love to read! Thank you Robby! Things have been good but hectic as always here! Lets see - whats new with Claire? Whats not new with her?! She really likes to be tickeled, like soft - put me to sleep tickeled. And it works like a charm too. I love it! We'll probably have to tickle her to sleep until she moves out - ha ha! We just got done with swimming lessons. She missed about half of them for various reasons, but had a blast! She blows bubbles really well except for when her mouth hits, the water, she sucks in. Maybe a little more practice! She is really good at kicking and splashing in the water though - we had a great time! She has also moved up to the "Sea Otters" classroom with the bigger kids. She seems to really like it - they have lots of fun toys and art projects.

I was accepted to dental hygiene school starting this summer - but find out about nursing in March - so I have a big decision to make. I think I have my mind made up though - we'll see how it turns out! Me and decisions - never been good at it! Hope everyone is well!

Claire is 1!

Can you believe it? Claire is one! We had a little party at the park. The weather was perfect and we had fun! Then I made her a little healthier version of cake for her to dig into onto her actual b-day! I'll write more later on Stanford - its getting late!

Halloween 2009

Finally some Halloween pictures!

Yosemite

We went on a wonderful trip to Yosemite - had a GREAT time and stayed in a nice cabin right in the middle of the park. It turned out great for being last minute! Halloween was also great. Claire was a lady bug - I'll have to post a few more pictures of her in her costume a little later. Its fun having a child - because I find I get to relive a little of my childhood through her - what fun!

Hello

Hello there,
Some new pictures of Claire! I love the one where she fell asleep in her highchair - first time she's done that! She kept refusing to take a nap - and well - it finally caught up with her! So- her MRI is normal -Yay! Next, on to Stanford. Other than that - nothing is new - oh wait - she got another tooth on the bottom and more are on the way because she is going crazy! She also took her first steps on Columbus Day! Pretty soon she'll we walking all on her own! Can't believe its been almost a year! Trying to plan what to do for her b-day... hmm...

Hello,
A little update on Claire for those wondering. We still don't have a certain diagnosis, but feel we are getting a little closer. She is still having seizures everyday - sometimes up to 20 or 30 so we are doing more testing. The neurologist is thinking she might have "Doose syndrome." Again - this is not a for sure diagnosis. MRI is scheduled for Friday and in about a month - up to Stanford for more EEG testing and a second opinion. Poor baby - we just want the seizures under control and to know exactly what we are dealing with. Time will tell - again - its a waiting game. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers - much appreciated! I'll write again when we know more - whenever that may be.....but Claire is doing good - growing well and happy most of the time - what a sweetheart - we are so lucky to have her!

Hello

Hello all,
We have been so sick that I feel lucky to finally be writing something here! About a month and a half ago we all had bronchitis and sinus infections. Right after recovering from that we came down with a terrible stomach bug. All of us were SOOOO sick. And after that - we caught yet another cold. We are now starting to finally feel better! We blame daycare - but hey - its one way to build up a good immune system right? Claire loves her friends, teachers and toys in Jelly school, we just wish it came without the sickness. We are still in limbo with her seizure disorder. Its hurry up and wait and see if this dose of this medicine works, and if not, try a new dose or a new medicine. So its all very frustrating - but we are trying to get through it. Going to Stanford its still on hold. We are wondering if we will go at all. So - not a whole lot of news as far as Claire's seizures. She still has several a day. Hopefully we'll be able to make progress sometime soon!

Jun is working in a new department at his job. He doesn't teach anymore, but in simple terms, develops tests for the students to take. It sounds pretty relaxed and stress free - so thats good. I am facing layoffs at my work - particularly targeting admin assists. I am not to worried because a couple of ladies are up for early retirement and are seriously considering it. That said - I will be looking for a new job just as back up because you never REALLY know what will happen. Its nice that I have my phlebotomy license to up to date in CA. Always something to fall back on!

Claire is getting so big! She started to crawl on her 9 month birthday - and has been making us crazy busy ever since. We can't take our eyes off of her! She really likes pulling herself up to stand and can crawl up the stairs - sooooooooooo busy! She is a good girl and we love her like crazy! People still comment in the store that she looks like a little doll. Of course we think she's adorable - but she's ours right? Life sure is different with a child. Sometimes, on crazy, horrible, hectic days, Jun and I reflect back on the pre baby days and sigh. Sometimes we miss just being able to do anything, anytime. I think every parent must feel like that sometime - but the good days make up for it and you realize how lucky you are! Having a child certainly makes you less selfish - so that is definitely a good thing! Well - who knows when the next time I write will be. Hopefully sooner rather than later.......

New Pictures!

New Pictures - Scroll down and enjoy!

Hello

Hello,
It has been a crazy couple of weeks for us. We had a great 4th of July - played with fireworks and had a bbq with the neighbors. Other than that - nothing has been on our minds except Claire and her new condition. We meet with the neurologist tomorrow who is saying Claire has epilepsy. Testing and hospitalization have been tough on Claire and we are all tired. But - we are keeping a positive attitude and trying to find out what is best for her. I'll try to keep this updated!

7 1/2 months and growing big!

I don't know how many times we've heard "you have a beautiful baby boy!" Sometimes we just smile and keep walking and other times we'll correct the person. Don't really care too much though - we don't put her in pink all the time! (Although even when she is in pink, people still think she is a boy - don't know why!) We should stick more bows in her hair - but they all come off anyway. I think when she grows more hair she won't get so many boy comments! Claire has been grouchy today, we think more teeth are coming in up on top - poor thing! If its not one thing its another! We went strawberry picking today, had a great time but it made us tired! I'll post some pictures from that soon - we got some cute ones. Claire even wore her strawberry outfit from Japan. We also bought a pie - mixture of ollala, black and raspberries. YUMMY!!! Life is more busy and hectic than we could of imagined - but I wouldn't want it any other way! Claire keeps us laughing, she does new things all the time.

Wow - its been a long time!

It has been so long! Time goes fast! Claire is 7 months old now, hard to believe. She is so funny, developing quite the personality. She really likes the Johnny jump up - has a great time in it. She also LOVES books, can't get enough of them, especially the pop up kind. Her new favorite toy is an empty kleenex box. She is just thrilled by it. She also has her first teeth! They FINALLY popped through Wed or Thurs (June 10th or 11th). She seems happier about that. We are all happier about that. Right now she has a lingering cough from something she picked up in day care. If it isn't resolved soon - we will have to make yet another drs visit - no fun! She just got over the Roseola virus - fever and rash is mostly what it consisted of. We are staying crazy busy and life is hectic - but we are having fun!

We are suffering from jetlag and it is terrible!!! So hard on baby. I seem to be wide awake between 10 and 2 am - and then Claire wakes up and wants to play! We need our normal schedule back!

In Japan and loving it!

We are in Japan and loving it!!! We are having soooo much fun remembering all the things we loved and had forgotten. A lot of the joy comes from such yummy food! Jun's mom is SUCH a good cook and we are in heaven. She is happy to cook for us and is doing an amazing job and keeping up with our many requests! A shopping center is about a ten minute walk from his house - I like to go often and get yummy snacks. The bread store is incredible. Talk about needing to diet when we get home! Oh well- might as well enjoy ourselves right? We've been visiting some historical sights around Jun's hometown of Shibata. It is a pretty neat city with great historical back round. It has a beautiful castle and an incredible place where the samurai's used to live. Jun told me the name "Asahina" is connected with prestigious samurai from back in the day - how neat is that! It has been fun because we visited some spots where Jun hasn't even seen before! Minori is doing good. Finally after about a week and a half - she is getting used to the time change - just in time for us to mess her up again when we come back to the states.

Crazy thing happened a couple days ago. We heard the firetrucks and Hideko looked out the window and huge flames and smoke were seen. Just a few blocks away a house caught on fire. We went to look at the remnants, and it is in quite bad shape, burned almost to the ground. The sign of the gas station next to it was all melted. A 87 year old man was inside and died. They don't know yet how it was started. It drew quite a crowd. Sad - made us all a little more cautious with the spaced heaters!

On a lighter note - we are having lots of fun and can 't believe time is passing so quickly. The thing I miss the most is a dryer. Not only is it a constant pain to hang and take down clothes, but my pants are too big without being dried and they keep falling down! I'll post more pictures when we get home!

Claire is 5 months!!! My how time flies! We are headed to Japan tomorrow and busy getting ready today. We are excited - but not as much as we should be because we are worried about Claire. She has been sick and the Dr's can't pinpoint what is wrong with her poor thing. She has been to the Dr.'s 4 times and seen three 3 different doctors, been on 2 different medications, and had several tests. So - we have debated about whether or not to cancel our trip - but the Dr.'s thinks she's fine to go - so we will grin and bear it! Wish us luck - we'll be posting lots of pictures when we get back!

Just Kidding - no teeth!!!

Alright - I take it back - no teeth! We went to the Dr.'s because Claire has been feverish but the Dr. said it was a cyst - normal and will go away on its own. Don't think I'm crazy though, it really feels like a tooth. Plus its in the side of her mouth where its hard to get a good look at! Anyway - false alarm! Poor Claire hasn't been feeling good and we are trying another medication. Hope she feels better for Japan! She is losing all her hair and will probably be bald by the time we go! She still looks cute though! Still trying to post videos. I've been busy doing extra homework trying to get ahead for when we are in Japan - so it probably won't happen until we get back. Other than that - time is flying by! It's amazing how quick it goes! I've been looking into nurse practitioner/physician assistant school - kind of makes me excited - but here I go getting ahead of myself again. Just got to get through nursing school first - then see what life throws at me. So yes - right now I headed toward nursing - but you know me - thats just for now!

Claire's first tooth came in today! (Nope - just fooled mommy!)

Claire's first tooth came in today! She has been fussy and now this explains why! She always wants something in her mouth and is going crazy! Hopefully it won't be too bad when we go to Japan! We are busy getting ready for our trip. 3 weeks from today - I'm so excited!

Finally we got out computer fixed and now I can go crazy. This could be a problem because this is so much more fun than doing homework!!! My next project will be making some videos of Claire and getting those posted. Claire continues to grow. She really likes sticking her fingers in her mouth. Only problem is that she gags herself. Just this morning after she ate, she stuck her fingers in too far and puked it all up. I have a bulimic baby! Just kidding! She is 4 months old today. My how the time flies! We are having a great time with her! She loves the bath. We may have to start putting her whale bathtub in the big bathtub instead of on the counter because she likes to splash so much!