1 year checkup update!

a picture of the picture at the clinic

We went to the doctor for Jacet's one year check-up. Everything is perfectly fine! The doctor commented that he's an early walker, that we need to keep an eye on him because he moves fast and a lot haha. I totally knew that already! This is a new doctor for us, since we just moved. The clinic is literally 3 minutes by foot from our apartment, so it's very convenient! The doctor was very nice and when he was doing the checkup, he made faces and tickled and made sure Jacet had fun. The nurses were also very nice. Everybody loved him! And apparently at this clinic they take photos for 1 year birthdays, so we got a nice little print as a bonus :)

       He also had to get two shots. MR (measles & rubella) and ...something that I'm not sure what it's called in English but my translator says "streptococcus pnuemoniae." Anyway, apparently the measles one is made in America and hurts way more than the Japanese made vaccines...and boy did Jacet scream! He cried normally for the other one, but then when they did the MR, he screamed his head off! My poor baby. It also made him really cranky the rest of the day. But who can blame him? I'm sure his arms were so sore :(  He's been sleepy and somewhat cranky ever since that shot. Plus he woke up once during the night, which hasn't happened in months! Hopefully it wears off soon and I get my little happy fellow back.

ONE YEAR STATS

weight: 9.33kg (20.5lbs)

height: 75.5cm (29.7in)

**apparently he's smack dab in the middle for Japanese babies, but on the small side for American babies...probably because he's constantly on the move!**

New decelopments:

   He loves trying to use his fork when eating but gives up and makes me help after a few failed attempts. When he DOES manage to get food on, he gets so happy that he just holds it out to show me and then it falls off lol. He loves to blow raspberries into my neck when we're getting ready for naps...every single day. He does it on his hands too... He enjoys pushing things out of doors/under doors/off ledges/into sinks. He gets his shoes for me when I ask, and even holds out his feet when I put them on. He also holds up his feet when I tell him it's time to put his pants on lol. He learns new things so quickly!

Family News:

    There is some non-Jacet related stuff going on too, so here's a general Izumiya family update. Our car has bit the dust. The engine decides to randomly shut off while driving, which is very scary, especially with a baby in the car! So we're in the process of buying a new one! It's pretty exciting as we have never bought a car before.

Since Jacet is now 1 year old, I probably won't be posting as much since there are really no more milestones for him to meet. But I will try to keep updating occasionally. So stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Jacet!

     Jacet has finally (or should I say already?) turned 1 year old! Time sure does fly when you're kept busy with a little one! He has grown so much and I'm so so happy that he is a healthy and wonderful little boy. My life has changed so much because of him and I can't imagine not having his little face light up my life every single day. Sure there are tough times, but what can you expect? Even on those tough days, his smile and all-over adorableness makes me forget all of my annoyance. All the poopy diapers, poopy clothes, poopy floors. All the laughs and tears and boo boos. All the sleepless nights and napless days. All the stress and all the fun. Every day is a new learning experience for both of us, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY JACET HARU IZUMIYA!


Now on to his birthday celebrations~

Shirt from Gramma & Grampa!

The day of his birthday, April 7, we Skyped with my parents. I made some yummy birthday pancakes topped with homemade strawberry sauce and whipped cream, stuck a candle in it, and we sang happy birthday. I wish we could have done it in person with my parents, but Skype is the next best thing. Gotta love technology! Hopefully we'll be able to celebrate together soon though!

Skype time!

Tomo's parents flew in from Hokkaido that evening and Jacet and I met them at the station. When we got back to the house, we opened their presents. He got a soccer ball (which he'll only kick if someone is holding his arms lol), a car to ride on and/or push, and lots of much needed clothes (he just keeps growing!). They also brought lots of yummy chocolates and sweets for me and Tomo!

Cute doggie hat

The next day, April 8, we had a day of birthday fun since Tomo had off from work. In the morning we had a lovely first birthday photo shoot. IT WAS ADORABLE. I cannot wait for the prints to come! We were allowed to take videos during the session, so I managed to take some screenshots off the video to show you all a little preview of what the real ones will look like. Of course the real ones are much better and cuter, but this gives a good idea. Jacet was such a good boy. He loves people and the photographers were great with him. We were there for 2 hours and the only time he got fussy was when he couldn't play with the rug they had him sitting on. I'm really glad we decided to get these photos done. Definitely no regrets!

Some photo previews

After the photo session, we adults had some lunch (Jacet ate during the photo shoot and passed right out in the car afterwards) and when Jacet woke up, went to the park to have some birthday cake and celebrate with the Japanese traditions. We sang happy birthday and he ate his first ever chocolate cake. Actually, I think that's the first time he ever had chocolate! He enjoyed it of course.

Trying to pick up the mochi!

Now, in Japan, when the baby turns 1, they are made to carry pretty heavy lumps of mochi (if you don't know what that is, look it up I guess. Though I think they have mochi ice cream if you go to hibachi restaurants? It's the chewy stuff that is wrapped around ice cr
eam.) If the baby can walk with the mochi, I think it means that they're going to be independent and leave home early. If they can't, then they'll be staying home longer I guess. I'm not too sure. Anyway, Jacet couldn't walk with the mochi so well! Guess he'll be my little mama's boy forever!

Walking with mochi

Sadly, while we were playing in the park, he fell and scraped his cheek on the gravel track. A memory for his first birthday I guess~

yummy cake!

We opened more presents when we got home. He got some Disney Sing-alongs from Aunt Andi, an Anpanman (Japanese cartoon character) fire truck from Aunt Andi, a Fisher-Price Mailbox thing and a match the shapes cube thing from mommy and daddy. He also got a super cute plaid shirt from gramma and grampa.



On April 9, Tomo had to leave for a work meeting, so it was just me, Jacet, and the in-laws. While the ladies went grocery shopping, the males went to the kiddie area and played around. Then Tomo's mom and I went to see Frozen (finally!), which was as good as I heard it was! That was their last day visiting and that night they left. It's always a whirlwind when they're here, but I don't mind at all. It's always fun and they help out with things a lot.

Jacet has his one year checkup next week. I'll post that update when the time comes.
Stay tuned!