 August
1, 2009 - An
incredibly Nice Day. Today was the actual due date for the baby. Anyway, last
night Shai slept for four and a half hours and today was
really awake and seemed to be enjoying everything. Akiko and
I were able to actually spend some time alone together.
After ,she spent a
couple hours cutting her hair and pampering
herself. I put together our new stroller today which is part
of a car seat and baby carrier travel system. Really looking
forward to taking little Shai out for a ride. The stroller
is kind of like the 4-wheel drive, 4Runner version of
strollers. Pretty cool way for the little guy to get around.
Tonight I made fish on the BBQ while Akiko and Shai spent
time inside and waited for the food to be cooked. |
 August
2, 2009 - Another
Quiet Day Together. We
spent much of the day finishing up a few projects in the
house and then enjoyed another weekend BBQ, this time
chicken. Really nice temperature at night the last few days
and feels good to leave the windows open and get the
nighttime breeze. We are pretty much certain about moving to
Japan at this point and already getting things ready. Not
sure when, but the plan is pretty much set for now anyway. |
 August
3, 2009 - Finally in
the Groove. Yup,
things seem to be settling a bit for us. The cloth
diaper system is working perfectly and many of the setting
up projects are finished. We are finding a lot more time
to relax with the baby. We work out of our home which allows
us to spend the
entire day working together for the baby now. Really cannot
understand what it must be like for single parents who are
working full time. Anyway, we are very happy with our
situation. |
 August
4, 2009 - No More
Belly Button Thingy. Today
Shai's belly button thingy fell off. It was already loose
and kind of getting in the way of his diapers. Anyway, not
so interesting for most of you reading this but an event for
us. |
 August
5, 2009 - Sleeping
Day. Today
was pretty quiet and relaxing. Shai spent a lot of time
sleeping, and um, eating and peeing and pooing. |
 August
6, 2009 - 4Runner
Stroller and Picnic. We
finally took the new 4Runner stroller out for a test run
today. We walked all the way to Mission Trails Regional Park
and Lake Murray (background), which was about a total 2.5
mile walk. Shai slept through the entire event. |
 In
the afternoon, we went back to Mission Trails Regional Park
for a picnic. Shai seemed to like being on the blanket in
the grass. He will probably be one of those kids who likes
outside stuff. |
 August
7, 2009 - Bris. Today
Shai went through the Bris, or circumcision ceremony in our
home. The service was performed by Dr. Rubenstein, who is a
certified Mohel. Brit milah (Hebrew: בְּרִית מִילָה [b'rīt
mī'lā], Sephardi pronunciation, berit milah; Ashkenazi
pronunciation, bris milah, "covenant of circumcision";
Yiddish, bris) is a religious ceremony within Judaism to
welcome infant Jewish boys into a covenant between God and
the Children of Israel through ritual circumcision performed
by a mohel ("circumciser"). This happens on the eighth day
of the child's life unless health reasons or certain
specific conditions pertaining to the date, time, and
conditions of birth vis-a-vis the Sabbath and/or holidays
force a delay, in the presence of family and friends,
followed by a celebratory meal (seudat mitzvah). |
 August
8, 2009 - Ayumi
Finally Meets Shai. My
long time and really good friend Ayumi finally was able to
meet Shai today. Me and Ayumi saw each other through many
tough times and happy times. Much has changed over the years
and now Akiko and I will be moving to Japan and Ayumi will
be moving out of SD sometime this year. Many good changes
coming for everyone within the next few months. Ayumi
brought a lot of food and many really nice presents. Thank
you again. |
 August
9, 2009 - Football
Game. Really think this was quite a coincidence. Today was the
Hall of Fame football game played in Canton, Ohio. This game
is the first preseason game of the season, was televised on
national television, and featured the Buffalo Bills who are
celebrating their 50th year in the National Football league
this year. This was also the first Professional Football
game for Shai. Pretty cool. |
 August
13, 2009 - Meteor
Shower. This mini adventure actually began on the 12th but the
pictures were taken today. Anyway, we all went up to the
Laguna Mountains, about 45 minutes from San Diego, to watch
the annual Perseids meteor shower. Shai slept through the
entire trip but Akiko and I were able to enjoy the show. We
parked at our favorite spot in the Laguna Campground located
in the Cleveland National Forest. We put the tailgate down
on the truck and laid back and saw lots of meteors including
a few fireballs. It was a really nice experience. |
 August
14, 2009 - Fishing Trip. Yup,
Shai went fishing for the first time today. He even caught
three fish….not really. We were able to land a really nice
smelt and two mackerel though. Akiko fried them Teriyaki
style using soy sauce and sugar. Really wanted to take Shai
fishing at least once before heading off to Japan in a few
months. |
 August
18, 2009 - Another Fishing Trip. Another
fishing trip for Shai but no fish this time. We met a group
of our friends out there from San Diego and Buffalo. It was
a bit too cool windy but everyone enjoyed seeing each other. |
 August
27, 2009 - Really Hot
This Week. This
week the temperatures climbed to about 100 degrees at our
place and was even warmer in surrounding communities. The
humidity was around 10 percent much of the day. Needless to
say it was not the most comfortable week for the baby. The
same conditions are forecast to continue for a few more days
but a little cooler. I planned to update this page more over
the last few days but it was too hot to be on the computer.
You can see a few little fans in the picture which were
purchased in Japan a few years ago. |
 August
29, 2009 - Baby
Shower With Friends. Today
was the baby shower for Shai. The hosts of the party were
our friends Jim and Linda Timlin who live about a mile from
our place. The families knew each other all the way back in
Buffalo. The party, food, and games were really nice. A few
of our closest friends showed up and spent the afternoon
with us. |
|
August 30, 2009 - Solution
For Grumpy Babies.
Hey, I can remember running into the living room of my house
every time the “Ajax, bum bum, the blue dot cleanser”
commercial came on when I was a kid. It seems certain sounds
and images can quiet even the grumpiest of babies. For Akiko
and I, the following video works 100 percent of the time for
Shai. Many of you already know this video but always good
for another look. The video is no longer working but pretty
sure it was crazy frog. |
 August
31, 2009 - Final Fishing Trip
Before Japan. Today
was the last fishing day for me, Akiko, and little Shai
before heading off to Japan. Although we are not planning to
leave for a few months, taking the little guy fishing is not
easy at this age. Pretty much told Akiko this would be the
last time this season. Turned out to be a good finish. A
group of bonito were “boiling” off in the distance. I was
able to cast directly in the middle of the school and
immediately caught the first bonito of the season. Then I
was reeling the line in again and caught another. The last
fish caught was an undersized bass. We took the bonito home
and made a BBQ, drank a bottle of wine, and relaxed. A nice
way to finish up fishing for the year. |
