MY LITTLE MAN

It's hard to believe that this time last year I was HUGE

Don't believe me?? Let me remind you!!!

Taken Dec 5 2009 at 40weeks pregnant, the day before he was due.

Hahaha....so many times strangers asked me if I was having twins!!
I must admit I was a little scared there might be another baby hiding in there somewhere and was only 100% convinced there wasn't after he was born lol.

Haruki eventually came on December 15 2009!!!

He weighed 3.3kg and was 51.5cm...much longer than any of the other babies in the hospital with us

Haruki(right) and his 2 friends born on the same day. His legs were much longer and he couldn't fit in the hospital suits.

We brought him home 5 days later

....just in time to sleep through his 1st Christmas

...and New Year...hahaha

Some friends who are expecting babies have been asking me about the different stages babies go through and when. All babies are different and develop different skills at their own pace but here is a rough timeline of Haruki since birth. Lucky I took lots of photos because I had completely forgotten when things happened haha.

1 MONTH
1st awake smile
1st train ride
started to enjoy bathtime
started to see things a little further away
long nights of colic began : (
could hold his neck pretty well by himself

2 MONTHS
1st time in the snow
batting at toys infront of him
could hold onto toys
started kicking himself across the floor on his back
could hold his head up during tummy-time

3 MONTHS
became aware of his own hands (one of the cutest baby stages)
rolled from back to tummy
colic finally calmed down

4 MONTHS
1st overseas trip to England
rolled from tummy to back
moving around the floor by sliding on his back

5 MONTHS
sat up unsupported
began rice cereal
began crawling

6 MONTHS
eating vegetable purees
pulled himself up to standing
cruising along furniture

7 MONTHS
1st swim at the beach
walking while holding onto our hands
dances holding on to something
understands NO (but doesn't always obey)
1st teeth (bottom 2)

8 MONTHS
climbed up his bed and fell out : (
started using a pen
can hi-five and wave bye bye
top 4 teeth

9 MONTHS
standing by himself
using a spoon to feed himself
starting to babble more

10 MONTHS
started taking a few steps
stoop down while standing
can understand a number of simple words and commands
says DA-DA
can dance while standing unsupported

11 MONTHS
is walking almost running
blows kisses
understands many simple commands
plays happily by himself
understands sharing and is beginning to nod and gesture arigato


So that is Haruki until now.........only 2 weeks till the big 1st birthday!!! He is going to be spoilt rotten with a number of different events planned by different people including 2 parties and a trip to Disneyland!!!

Mummy is the one most excited about Disneyland though...TANOSHIMI!!!!!!

JLH PURE CONFERENCE

Yesterday was the Jesus Lifehouse Pure Conference.

190 women came to learn about how to be a strong, beautiful, pure woman!!

It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

The theme of the day was TEAMWORK

We had 4 main sessions

SESSION 1- Ps Viv Plummer

Ps Viv talked about the ancient Greek defense formation called the PHALANX. This defense needs teamwork!! Everyone locks their shields together to create an imprenetrable line. If you are behind the Phalanx you are protected and stronger but if you are standing off to the side on your own then you are weaker and an easy target.

This is a Phalanx

In life we were created to be in relationship with others. We shouldnt be alone. We need to build great relationships with our partner, our friends and mentors/leaders in our life so that we can be strong and see victory over any difficult situations we might face.

She shared from Ephesians 6 and focussed on the SHIELD OF FAITH.

1. We are not designed to work alone

2. Don't isolate yourself

3. The rewards of being part of a team

a. PROTECTION & SAFETY

b. MULTIPLIED STRENGTH

c. SHARED VICTORY

SESSION 2- Ps Emi Shirasaya

She also talked about the SHIELD OF FAITH and talked about connection with others.

1. Get vertically connected

*connect to leaders in your life. The more you support and help your leader the better position they are in to support and guide you!!

2. Get connected to the future

*get connected to the next generation. We need to help build into the next generation so that they also can be strong and successful.

3. Go outside and get connected

* get outside the 4 walls you are in and meet new people and be a positive influence in their lives. Its so important that you are personnally strong and have great connections with your friends and leaders so that you can influence those who need it and not the other way around. Dont allow other peoples negativity or bad choices to influence you!!

SESSION 3- Ps Rod Plummer

We were lucky to get a 'Daddy' talk from Ps Rod. He and his wife Viv have an amazing marriage and we can learn alot from them about how to have great relationships!!

Senior Pastors at Jesus Lifehouse International Church Tokyo.

He spoke mainly for the single women and just like a great father told us what great christian men are looking for in a woman.

Women who....

1. Love God, Love the church

2. Are already secure and who dont get that security from men but from God

3. Take care of their appearance.

4. Confident and doing life well

5. Having fun. (women who are enjoying being single and not looking desperate are much more attractive to men)

6. Willing to work with him to grow (its a team. She shouldnt be like a mother to him but she also shouldnt be a burden on him. You have to both be confident and committed to growing and changing together)

It was an awesome day filled with lots of awesome advise from the bible that anyone (Christian or not) can apply to their lives and become a stronger woman!!

NOVEMBER

I LOVE NOVEMBER!!!!

Okay.....to be perfectly honest.....I like every month for it's own unique reason but November in particular is an awesome month!!!

WHY?

In Japan it is Autumn. Autumn equals shopping for this years latest design in coats, jackets, boots and leggings...YEAH!!!

November also means clear, non foggy skies here in Tokyo and the most beautiful sunsets. From our apartment in Kiyose we get amazing views of Mount Fuji!!! Im yet to figure out how to get a good shot of it on camera but here are some of my weak attempts haha.

Mount Fuji in the morning

Mount Fuji in the evening

The other great thing about November is the harvest veggies. Sweet potato, pumpkin, cabbage, negi. It also means NABE SEASON!!!!! I loooove Nabe!!! NAbe is JApanese one-pot cooking. Basically you choose whatever you want, throw it in a pot of boiling water and wait for it to cook!!

Nabe is cooked at the table. I love cosy home date nights with my husband with Nabe and a good movie : ).

My favorite additions are chicken mince balls, carrot, leek, cabbage and udon in a miso broth.

The great thing is not only is it extremely healthy and packed full of vitamins but you get to sit around as a family and enjoy cooking and eating together. The heat from the gas stove also keeps you warm and cosy on those cold November evenings.

Im also one of those crazy early Christmas prepping people!! November 1st means time to put the Christmas decorations up : ).......but thats a whole new blog hahaha........!!

What do you love about November???