Jun's language has always been advanced. Can you really say that of a child who is only two? Probably not, but I had heard that kids learning two languages simultaneously may take longer to talk than kids learning one. Jun speaks and understands Japanese and English pretty well, and has done so since...a long time ago.
However, I was warned, before Jun began talking, that some kids who must learn two languages at the same time feel stress, so I have kept an eye out for Jun and am careful not to insist she speak either language, though I do coach her with Japanese words for Japanese speakers and English words for English speakers. Or, I would coach her for English speakers if there were ANY English speakers in our life here in Japan other than ME! I feel like I have my finger in a leak in the levee and am trying to stop Jun from being completely drowned in Japanese, but my finger is slipping, and her Japanese is getting better and better daily. Which is GOOD! But, we want her English to be just as wonderful!
The other day after a morning of lots of play and lots of Japanese and a bit of English thrown in for good measure, Jun woke up from her nap in a terrible mood. For the first time, she refused to speak English or Japanese. She consistently used the whine and point method of communication. This was the first sign of stress that I have seen in Jun. Well, I wasn't sure if it was stress, being tired, or being two.
So, I loaded her 10.2 kilos (22 pounds or so) up in the sling, and we went for a long long walk. Chatting and looking around and being face to face all "alone". It was so much fun for us both. Jun started chattering away again, and we all relaxed.
I am looking forward to our next trip to the States to give her another pure dose of ol' English conversation 101!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Fear Itself
Jun and I were at the top of the 56 cement steps we walk down every day from our apartment to the street. Jun prefers to DO IT by herself these days. Of course, I have taught her how to go down the 56 cement steps by herself, safely. Hold on to the rail, bend your knees, only jump from the last step. However, each and every of the 56 cement steps she takes puts fear in my heart and I hover terribly. This irritates Jun no end.
I wondered, how much more energy I will have for OTHER things when I stop worrying about Jun so much.
However, I hardly ever worry now, that she will not wake up from her nap. When I was in high school, visiting a friend, a baby in the neighborhood died of SIDS. So, I have worried about every one of Jun's naps and bedtimes. But, now that she is two, I don't worry so much about this anymore.
When Jun was exactly one month old, she caught her first cold. She caught it the day after her one month check up that she cleared just fine. Sleep deprivation has probably elevated all of my fears to terrors, but, holding that stuffed up little baby day and night, all I could think of was all of my great-grandmothers' babies who did not make it for some reason or other. Usually a reason that could now be prevented with a vaccination or medication. I felt some of the fear and sadness I am sure my great-grandmothers never forgot. Life is not to be taken for granted, I determined.
Last Friday I left Jun with some friends while I went to teach. She was in her cute blue swim suit and peering into the inflated pool with probably four inches of luke-warm water in it. I wanted to stay and play with her so badly. Then I realized there were NO ADULTS out there with the kids and the four inches of water. I firmly stated I could not leave with out an adult out there with her. I think others thought I was over exaggerating. I don't care. Babies can drown in an inch or so of water, and THAT IS MY BABY!
I don't know why I spend so much energy worrying about the future, whether it be a minute away or years away. I know it is exhausting. But I think, in terms of Jun's safety, it is still important. So, I have decided to stop worrying about Ryu. Whether or not he eats his vegetables, how he spends his money, or if he stays up too late at night. I am trying to give Ryu his freedom, and let him make his own decisions, and it feels pretty good. Maybe, someday, Jun will get more freedom too. When I am SURE she can walk down 56 cement steps by herself and not fall and crack her head.
I wondered, how much more energy I will have for OTHER things when I stop worrying about Jun so much.
However, I hardly ever worry now, that she will not wake up from her nap. When I was in high school, visiting a friend, a baby in the neighborhood died of SIDS. So, I have worried about every one of Jun's naps and bedtimes. But, now that she is two, I don't worry so much about this anymore.
When Jun was exactly one month old, she caught her first cold. She caught it the day after her one month check up that she cleared just fine. Sleep deprivation has probably elevated all of my fears to terrors, but, holding that stuffed up little baby day and night, all I could think of was all of my great-grandmothers' babies who did not make it for some reason or other. Usually a reason that could now be prevented with a vaccination or medication. I felt some of the fear and sadness I am sure my great-grandmothers never forgot. Life is not to be taken for granted, I determined.
Last Friday I left Jun with some friends while I went to teach. She was in her cute blue swim suit and peering into the inflated pool with probably four inches of luke-warm water in it. I wanted to stay and play with her so badly. Then I realized there were NO ADULTS out there with the kids and the four inches of water. I firmly stated I could not leave with out an adult out there with her. I think others thought I was over exaggerating. I don't care. Babies can drown in an inch or so of water, and THAT IS MY BABY!
I don't know why I spend so much energy worrying about the future, whether it be a minute away or years away. I know it is exhausting. But I think, in terms of Jun's safety, it is still important. So, I have decided to stop worrying about Ryu. Whether or not he eats his vegetables, how he spends his money, or if he stays up too late at night. I am trying to give Ryu his freedom, and let him make his own decisions, and it feels pretty good. Maybe, someday, Jun will get more freedom too. When I am SURE she can walk down 56 cement steps by herself and not fall and crack her head.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Mom's Home!
Just wanted to let you know that Mom is out of the hospital and HOME! I can't wait for Jun and my trip next month to go and see her!
Take it easy, Mom and get your strength back! Jun will have lots of bubbles for you to blow and we will have to find a pool for you to stick your feet in while Jun "swims!"
The "I"'s send their whole hearted well wishes too!
Take it easy, Mom and get your strength back! Jun will have lots of bubbles for you to blow and we will have to find a pool for you to stick your feet in while Jun "swims!"
The "I"'s send their whole hearted well wishes too!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Grown Up
I've read a few blogs lately about when people become grown ups. Or when we feel grown up. Some news story said people (in the US) consider themselves to be adults when they are 26. But, I kind of think being an adult and feeling grown up sometimes happen at different times.
With my Mom in the hospital, I decided to finally write this post about things my Mom always does so well, and that I always expected I would be able to do when I was grown up. Apparently I am not yet grown up, as my proficiency is no where near Mom's.
First, Mom can take a whole handful of silverware and wash them like she is dusting off a bunch of flowers and then, still holding the whole handful, rinse them and put them in the drainer. I thought a magical day would come when I could do this. But, no. I am still a one fork, one spoon at a time woman. And this is NOT for lack of practice as I have almost NEVER had a dishwasher in my adult life.
Secondly, Mom, who is shorter than I am, can fold a double (probably does well with the queen they use now too) fitted sheet so it looks as smooth and compact as a flat sheet. All by herself. I have tried and tried and tried. Well, that is not quite right. We have so little storage here that I just own one fitted sheet. It goes from the bed to the washer to the balcony to be hung out and back on the bed. I can make hospital corners, though, if needed!
Thirdly, I have great memories of sitting on Mom's (well, she was probably still Mama back then) lap and leaning my head upon her ample endowments and rocking in Grandma's old rocker. I always figured you had to be amply endowed to be a Mom and remember being really shocked seeing a woman who was a Mom at the river one summer. How could SHE be a Mom??? Well, I never received my Mother's endowments, so Jun substitutes with a dingy and grimy Kitty-chan pillow. But, Jun is happy, and will probably insist that her kids have a Kitty-chan pillow too.
Finally, my Mom can also paint and wallpaper very very well. I can't. I have tried the paint and, apparently being able to paint is not hereditary. I am good at recruiting my Mom to come and paint, however. She has made quite long trips across the US to paint for me! Wallpapering, is a little better. But, I have almost never done it, so have not had time to fail miserably at it either.
Well, this post could go on and on. But, I wonder, what does/did your Mom do that YOU always expected you'd be able to do when you "grew up" that you STILL can't do?
With my Mom in the hospital, I decided to finally write this post about things my Mom always does so well, and that I always expected I would be able to do when I was grown up. Apparently I am not yet grown up, as my proficiency is no where near Mom's.
First, Mom can take a whole handful of silverware and wash them like she is dusting off a bunch of flowers and then, still holding the whole handful, rinse them and put them in the drainer. I thought a magical day would come when I could do this. But, no. I am still a one fork, one spoon at a time woman. And this is NOT for lack of practice as I have almost NEVER had a dishwasher in my adult life.
Secondly, Mom, who is shorter than I am, can fold a double (probably does well with the queen they use now too) fitted sheet so it looks as smooth and compact as a flat sheet. All by herself. I have tried and tried and tried. Well, that is not quite right. We have so little storage here that I just own one fitted sheet. It goes from the bed to the washer to the balcony to be hung out and back on the bed. I can make hospital corners, though, if needed!
Thirdly, I have great memories of sitting on Mom's (well, she was probably still Mama back then) lap and leaning my head upon her ample endowments and rocking in Grandma's old rocker. I always figured you had to be amply endowed to be a Mom and remember being really shocked seeing a woman who was a Mom at the river one summer. How could SHE be a Mom??? Well, I never received my Mother's endowments, so Jun substitutes with a dingy and grimy Kitty-chan pillow. But, Jun is happy, and will probably insist that her kids have a Kitty-chan pillow too.
Finally, my Mom can also paint and wallpaper very very well. I can't. I have tried the paint and, apparently being able to paint is not hereditary. I am good at recruiting my Mom to come and paint, however. She has made quite long trips across the US to paint for me! Wallpapering, is a little better. But, I have almost never done it, so have not had time to fail miserably at it either.
Well, this post could go on and on. But, I wonder, what does/did your Mom do that YOU always expected you'd be able to do when you "grew up" that you STILL can't do?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Mom, Get Well Soon
I felt such relief when I heard today that my Mom had been hospitalized and was having work done on her heart!
She has been having chest pains for nearly two years. Three of the four doctors told her it was stress. The fourth was a stomach doctor, and he recommended yoga.
My grandfather also had heart problems, so I was holding out for the heart. My sister-in-law, who has paramedic training, also saw the symptoms as pre-heart attack symptoms.
Finally, this morning, Mom had an "episode" while hooked up to an EKG. Thank God! She was rushed across the street by six hunks (not my words, but they made me smile) from the ambulance department, and was immediately put into surgery.
Now she is resting, hopefully comfortably, after getting some shunts (?) put in a couple of veins.
I have never been so so very happy to hear of anyone having surgery! Now I pray that she recovers completely and is finally pain free!
I wonder how many other people wonder why their loved one's doctors don't seem to LISTEN to the family members who daily observe the symptoms first hand?!?!?!?!
She has been having chest pains for nearly two years. Three of the four doctors told her it was stress. The fourth was a stomach doctor, and he recommended yoga.
My grandfather also had heart problems, so I was holding out for the heart. My sister-in-law, who has paramedic training, also saw the symptoms as pre-heart attack symptoms.
Finally, this morning, Mom had an "episode" while hooked up to an EKG. Thank God! She was rushed across the street by six hunks (not my words, but they made me smile) from the ambulance department, and was immediately put into surgery.
Now she is resting, hopefully comfortably, after getting some shunts (?) put in a couple of veins.
I have never been so so very happy to hear of anyone having surgery! Now I pray that she recovers completely and is finally pain free!
I wonder how many other people wonder why their loved one's doctors don't seem to LISTEN to the family members who daily observe the symptoms first hand?!?!?!?!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Phew!
Jun woke up yesterday and came into the kitchen by herself. She can "escape" from the bedroom quite easily now. Her first word that morning was korosu (KILL)! Ryu and I looked at each other in SHOCK! She repeated herself strongly "korosu"! Being the Mama, I should know where she picks up her words, but I am always surprised at what comes out of her mouth. I promised Ryu I had not shown her violent TV, she had not played with big kids, and I had not used the word. But, Jun kept repeating "korosu".
Well, it is a good thing I AM the Mama. I kept thinking and thinking. Finally I realized Jun wasn't speaking Japanese - but English with a Japanese accent. She was saying "close". She wanted me to "colosu" the clasp on her Hello Kitty purse. Ahhhh! We had a bit of pronunciation practice after that!
Well, it is a good thing I AM the Mama. I kept thinking and thinking. Finally I realized Jun wasn't speaking Japanese - but English with a Japanese accent. She was saying "close". She wanted me to "colosu" the clasp on her Hello Kitty purse. Ahhhh! We had a bit of pronunciation practice after that!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Jun Is TWO! Me TOO!
I read lots of blogs by Moms here in Japan. Many, like me, are married to Japanese men. I get great advice, info, shopping ideas, and inspiration from them.
Two writers' blogs' side bars have been very helpful to me over the past two years of parenting. I hope you will click the links to read them.
The first blog is called Mommy Colored Glasses. Her quote by Rajneesh was the same advice/comfort a Japanese Mom gave me that she had received from her obstetrician. The quote is on the left side bar.
The other blog with the great side bar is called Rehearsal Times Over. It has helped me STOP living only for the future, and to live today each day. You will need to scroll down quite a bit. The story is on the left side bar and is in blue print.
Two writers' blogs' side bars have been very helpful to me over the past two years of parenting. I hope you will click the links to read them.
The first blog is called Mommy Colored Glasses. Her quote by Rajneesh was the same advice/comfort a Japanese Mom gave me that she had received from her obstetrician. The quote is on the left side bar.
The other blog with the great side bar is called Rehearsal Times Over. It has helped me STOP living only for the future, and to live today each day. You will need to scroll down quite a bit. The story is on the left side bar and is in blue print.
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