Here I am!

Hello! Thank you for visiting again.

Look how big my eyes are!

Baths are so....relaxing...ahhh....

Hi Grandpa!

Hello Kristi, Lukas, and Cade

Thank you for helping to feed me Lukas. I know how to nurse from my mom now, but sometimes I'm still hungry.

This IS comfortable, for real!

Smacking my lips because I'm hungry!

Look how big I can yawn!

just resting with my daddy...

...since I can't use a pillow, guess I'll have to use my hand.

60 minutes

What could YOU do with 60 minutes? Well, Kolby can go through 6 diapers, 12+ wipes, and 3 outfits...

The other day, Ryan pointed out that Kolby hasn't had a good poop in a while (a day maybe?). He'll have little ones, that barely warrant a diaper change (we change it anyway - gross). After reading the books, it can be normal with breastmilk-fed babies, so nothing to worry about. Then today...

Diaper #1, wipe #1, original outfit: He wouldn't wake up to eat, so we decided to change his diaper.

Tried to nurse for a little while -- he fell asleep, so I kept trying to wake him up by switching breasts, holding him upright to talk to him, whatever might work... the only thing that set off was the machine gun (see previous blog). Okay, so we'll need to change diaper again...but let daddy feed him the bottle first, in case there's more that's going to come out.

Diapers #2-3, wipes #2-6, new onesie: successful feeding, successful burp, okay, time to change diaper -- this is old hat already for daddy -- but of course, Kolby makes it interesting... His mom jinxed it -- she said that he had a light diaper (after all, it was only poop). Then the fireman's hose went off... time to reach for diaper #3 and a new outfit.

I finished pumping the rest of my milk, so it was time for me to play with Kolby while Dad did the dishes, cleaned up, and all that. The machine gun activated again and Dad to the rescue!

Diaper #4, wipes #7-8, same onesie: Dad has the art of diaper changing down pat, Mom still needs practice...

Not more than 10 minutes later...Mom heard that familiar sound yet again -- aww, man! Mom's turn!

Diapers #5-6, wipes #9+, new onesie: I had no idea that a little guy could poop so much... and why did we need 2 diapers on this change? Yup, you got it -- another squirting incident. I really didn't think a "pee pee teepee" was a worthwhile investment, so we've been improvising: a piece of toilet paper to cover the spout. I'm still not convinced a teepee would do the trick either. I guess it would contain the pee instead of letting it squirt freely.

Kolby needs to get a quick nap, then it's time to start the process all over again...hopefully without all the diaper changes.

Okay, on a side note -- I really admire single mothers -- those who do everything on their own. I just don't know how they do it. I am not looking forward to the days when I need to care for Kolby (and myself) on my own, but then again -- it's only for 8-9 hours at a time...

I am soooo grateful that Kolby's Dad is here to take care of both of us. He has really jumped right in to fatherhood and is my emotional support as well. Thank you! ...and to Ryan's mom - for flying in to look after the three of us. We are still enjoying leftovers, but miss her "grandmother-ing" skills and are looking forward to her arrival again. ...and to Kolby's Honolulu grandparents for making us meals as well to make sure we are energized to take care of this precious life... And of course, Thanks to all of our family and friends for checking in on us to make sure we're doing okay. Love you all!

Feeding stories

Breastfeeding... definitely a learned process with much patience needed. The lactation consultants at the hospital tried to help us, but we left the hospital without a successful latch. Kolby and I have been trying at the beginning of each feeding, and finally made some progress :) I hope it's a sign that he'll catch on soon. Ryan has been really good about washing and sterilizing all the bottles and pump equipment after every feeding (about 8 times a day) that he's getting dishpan hands. What a great daddy though!

Okay, speaking of great daddy... Ryan feeds Kolby via the bottle while I pump. On more than one occasion while feasting, Kolby makes room in his tummy for more milk. He takes a break from sucking, then lets it rip -- loud and proud! You can feel the vibrations and hope that the diaper is doing its job. Ryan's face is the most priceless, but we haven't been able to get this on video yet.

Kolby is a sleepy guy, once he's in a deep sleep, it's hard to arouse him. We've tried all kinds of techniques: diaper change, cool water splashes, tickling his feet...nothing is guaranteed. Once, Ryan gave him a raspberry on his tummy and Kolby fought back with a fart. I could not stop laughing!

...those are some of the priceless memories I have for now....more to share later!

One Week Home!

Welcome to the world little guy! After nearly 40 weeks of living in me, Kolby made his grand debut on the first Thursday morning of the new decade. Thank you so much to the staff at Queen's and Dr. Dao for helping to safely get this miracle out of me.









It all started on Wednesday. I noticed something different, so I went to the doctor. He asked if I was having contractions and I was unsure... possibly?? He said I was still 1 cm dilated, but my cervix had thinned out compared to what he had expected since I had just been checked 2 days prior. He didn't give any indication that I'd be having regular contractions by that afternoon. Ryan had to come home a little early from work and he sat restlessly in agony with me for about 2 hours while we timed the contractions... Ryan was so anxious that he felt like the doctor should be notified already. Anyway, we made it to the hospital, but there wasn't any parking! Poor stressed Ryan was now faced with taking care of me and trying to quickly find parking! We finally got to a Labor & Delivery Room at about 7:30 and they monitored me -- only 2 cm dilated, but the contractions were regular, so we got admitted and by 11, I was 4 cm and got an epidural...I couldn't handle the pain anymore. I was able to rest comfortably, but the room was freezing! My water still had not broken, but I ended up with a fever! The nurses were getting nervous! I had a temperature of 102, but was still cold. I had to take Tylenol and they put ice packs on me. They even gave me antibiotics via IV...and called the on-call doc to come and break my water. By the time he arrived, my water had broken on its own. By 8 am, my epidural had worn off and I could tell that the time was near. The nurse suggested I try to handle the pain so I can push through the contractions. I can't remember what time they had me start pushing, but I wasn't pushing for very long. [Thank you to those of you who were hoping for an easy and quick labor - your wishes were much appreciated.] I even had to stop pushing and just breathe through the contractions so the doctor had time to come. By the time he came, it was 2 pushes and baby was placed on my chest!

Thank you to everyone who came to visit. We appreciate all the goodies too!


"I'm ready to go home...








...and see my Sakaguchi family! Thank you for flying in to see me!"



I love my Grandma Nan!





daddy giving me my first bath...ahhhh...

















aren't I silly when I sleep?




Where are the stripes on my mittens and hat?












I'm watching you... see you soon!

Happy 2010!

We all made it safely to the new year...just the two and a half of us...

Baby is being obedient and is waiting until his due date. Kristi is still 1cm dilated and has been for while. She hasn't dropped very much either, so baby has listened to his mommy's wishes of coming in 2010 -- and close to the expected due date!

Right now, things are a little uncomfortable...it's hard to sleep having to wake up every 3 hours to pee (but I guess that's the way it'll be once baby comes and wants to eat) -- it's the transition from lying down to sitting up that's the hard part... Nature's way of preparing me, I suppose.

Will this be the last post until baby's born?! Bets are on!