+12W 5D 抜け毛 Hair falling out

妊娠中は髪の調子がすごくいいのに、出産したら抜け毛が増えたという話しをよく聞く。確かに、出産前は髪の毛を洗ってもあまり毛が抜けなかったのに、最近、家中、私の毛だらけ。そして、私だけではなく、アラタも髪が薄くなってきた。ベビーベッドにも短くて細い毛がたくさん落ちている。

毛穴の細胞は活動期、休止期を経て抜ける。妊娠後期に多く排出される女性ホルモンには、この活動期を延ばす働きがあるが、出産後通常レベルに戻ると、寿命が来ていた髪が一斉に休止期に入り抜けるため、髪が薄くなる～って思うようだ。胎内にいた赤ちゃんもこのホルモンの恩恵を受けているので、出生後はホルモンバランスの低下により、生後３、４ヶ月で細くて柔らかい赤ちゃん毛が抜け落ちる。その後、質も違うオトナ？の髪の毛が生えてくる。アラタの髪の毛は何色になるのかなあ。

During pregnancy, my hair condition was really good. It was shining and beautiful. Not much hair fell out. As most of the new mums complain, my hair has also started to fall out recently. Lots of hairs on the floor in our flat! And it's not only me. Arata has started to lose his hair as well. You can find loads of his short downy hairs in the cot.

Hair growth has 2 stages, the growing and the resting, after which, it falls out. Towards the end of the pregnancy, estrogen level increases. As estrogen helps the hair growing period extend, we don't have much hair lost. However, after giving birth, the level of the hormone goes back to normal and the hairs which have been kept survived by the extra hormone get into the resting stage all together. This is why we lose lots of hair when pregnancy finishes. The babies also experience the similar processes and around 3 to 4 months after birth, baby's downy hair starts to fall out. When baby's new hair comes in, it will be different colour and texture. I wonder what colour of hair Arata is going to have!

+12W 4D お風呂 Bathing

赤ちゃん用お風呂がだいぶ小さくなってきた。今まで、Toshiさんからもらったベイビーバスで、アラタをお風呂に入れていたけれど、アラタが大きくなってきて赤ちゃん用のお風呂が小さく感じる。その上、アラタはリラックスして足をばたばたさせたりもするから、居間のじゅうたんは水浸し。最近は、普通のお風呂にママと一緒に入る練習をしている。

初めて入った時は、体中緊張して、お風呂から出た途端に恐怖で震えていた。私の入れ方もいまいちで不安げだったのだろう。自信のなさは赤ちゃんに伝わって不安にするらしいから。最近は少し慣れてきて、お風呂の中で少し前後に揺らしてあげると嬉しそうな顔をする。今日は自分の腕でぴしゃぴしゃ少しだけ遊んでいた。私達にとって何よりも嬉しいのは、お風呂に入る前にアラタを裸にしてタオルでくるむ時。アラタはお風呂に入るってわかるらしくて、興奮して声を出して笑う。

The baby bath we've been using has been getting small for Arata. He can easily reach the other end of the bath by his feet now. He sometimes splashes water and makes the carpet wet. We've started to take him in the normal bath every now and then to get him used to it.

When he first took the big bath, he must have been so frightened. Immediately after he was out, he started shivering. Probably he sensed my lack of confidence because when mum is nervous, baby senses it and feels nervous, too. Recently, he's started to used to the big bath. He especially likes being rocked gently in the water.

For us, the most enjoyable moment is when we take his clothes off and wrap him with a towel before taking him to the bathroom. He knows what's coming next and laughs!

+12W 2D 怪しい奴 Suspicious look

今日はCanary Wharfにベイビーマッサージでお友達になった、韓国人のSunと彼女の赤ちゃんテオくん、そしてあずささんとアメリちゃんで行った。天気がよかったのであずささん親子とテムズ川沿いを散歩しながら行ったが、いや～暑かった～。青いサングラスをかけた怪しい私を、プラムの中からパンチでも食らわせてやろうかと怪訝そうに見つめるアラタ。ちょっとかわいくて、写真を撮りました。

We went to Canary Wharf with Sun, a Korean friend who I met at the baby massage group, her son Theo, Azusa and Ameli. Azusa, Ameli and we walked along the river Thames to Canary Wharf because the weather was perfect! As I was wearing blue sunglasses, Arata was staring at me with a suspicious look with his hands ready to punch　me, from his pram. Well, it was so cute and I took a photo of him!

+12W 0D 両手を合わせて Putting hands together

今日は、5種混合プラス予防接種の2回目。アラタの体重5.9Kg。8週間前にやったBCGの痕から膿が出ていたのが心配だったが、接種後４から6週間で赤く腫れて膿が出るのはワクチンが効いた証拠なので心配しないようにと言われた。

2、3日前から、アラタは両手を組むことができるようになった。左の手と右の手があることを認識したようだ。プレイジムで遊ぶ時も、ぶら下がっているおもちゃを叩くだけではなく、押し上げたりするし、。ママの指を握ったまま離さないことも多くなった。手の働きを観察しているようで興味深い。それにしても赤ちゃんの成長って速い。写真は手を組むアラタ。

Went to the second 5 plus 1 immunisation. Arata weighed 5.9 Kg. There was some pus coming from the place BCG injection was shot and we were a bit worried about it. A health visitor told me that it's quite normal. Usually between 4 to 6 weeks after the jab, babies experience some pus coming out, which is actually a sign of the vaccination working.

Arata has started to hold hands in front of him since a couple of days ago. He's eventually found his right hand with the left! When he is playing at the play gym, he often tries to push the toys up, not only punching them hard. It's really interesting to see these. Baby development is so fast and impressive. In this photo, Arata is holding his hands.

+11W 5D ベビーシッター Babysitter

初めてベビーシッターを頼んだ。普段はフルタイムでナニーをしているリンで、Shihoさんから紹介してもらった。時給7ポンドで週末手当10ポンド。5時間アラタをみてもらった。アラタはリンと楽しく遊び、合計260MLものフォーミュラを飲み、私達が帰宅した深夜までにはぐっすり寝ていた。ということは、Jasonが平日いない時間は12時間だから、1ヶ月で2000ポンド近い仕事を私は毎月しているってことよね。どおりで金曜日の夜が待ち遠しいわけだ。1人で一日中面倒をみるのは精神的に大仕事だもん。

今晩は、Jasonの勤務先が発売開始したGIZMONDOの新製品発表パーティーに、Green ParkのPark Lane Hotelへ行った。GIZMONDOはプレイステーションのようなゲーム機で、GPS、音楽プレイヤー、映画鑑賞など多機能を備えた高級おもちゃ。

私は久々にドレスアップ。2年前のクリスマスパーティーに着た服がまだ着れてラッキー。そういえば妊娠前にはいていたGAPのジーンズが最近、また入るようになった。出産後腹のしわしわ感は無くならないが、体型が戻りつつある事は嬉しい。

パーティーは有名人も多数VIPとして招待されていたらしく、ホテルの入り口にはパパラッチのフラッシュがすごかった。Tom GreenとDannii Minogue (Kylieの妹）が司会。スティングやJamiroquaiが何曲か歌い、Austin Powersのミニミーも舞台に。ミーハーな私には興奮しまくりの豪華パーティーだった。さすがに最後まで見れずに帰宅したけど。写真はスティング。1年ぶりのライブだったそうだ。

We had a babysitter for the first time. It's Lynne. She charges 7 pound per hour plus extra 10 pounds for the weekend fee. Arata was looked after for 5 hours. He played with her, had lots of milk, 260 ml in total, and was in bed by the time we came home around the midnight.

From Monday to Friday, Jason is out to work for about 12 hours each day. So, it's about 2000 pounds monthly job I am doing!!! No wonder I always look forward to the weekend, when we can share the stress and responsibility to look after Arata. I must get quite tired every day without realizing it.

This evening, Jason and I went to the launch of GIZMONDO at Park Lane hotel in Green Park. GIZMONDO is a portable game console which also has GPS, music and movie players etc. The company Jason works for are selling it.

I dressed up in the outfit I used at the Sumitomo Christmas party 2 years ago. It's such a relief that I can still fit in the same clothes as more than a year ago. Incidentally, I found that I can wear the GAP jeans which I was wearing before getting pregnant. My body shape has been gradually getting back! How nice!

There must have been a lot of celebrities invited to the party. I saw loads of flash lights by paparazzi at the entrance of the hotel. The event was hosted by Tom Green and Dannii Minogue. Sting and Jamiroquai sang a few songs each. Mini-Me actor of the Austin Powers was also on stage. (Well, we couldn't see him behind lots of other people standing, though!) I was really thrilled and enjoyed the party to see so many celebrities!! Of course, we had to leave the party when the excitement was still continuing.

=====================From NTLWORLD.COM========

Gizmondo takes to UK stage

Stars turn up to launch new handheld

The Gizmondo handheld launched in the UK this weekend, with Tiger Telematic's localised debut something of a tester ahead of full European and US releases. The new handheld device launched in Blighty with a pre-pay Vodafone SIM, which will enable the sending and receiving of calls, texts and emails, not to mention the Gizmondo's GPRS functionality. SmartAdds, marketing based on a users registration details, will also be sent via Vodafone's network.

Based on a Windows CE platform, the Gizmondo includes a camera and picture messaging options, games playing, movie and music playback... GPS positioning, and other impressive uses. The Gizmondo flagship store opened in Regent Street, and a showcase at the Park Lane hotel kicked off the device's UK debut. The likes of Sting, Jamiroquai and Busta Rhymes performed at the event, while Lennox Lewis, Dannii Minogue and other "celebrities" attended the store. Tom Green hosted the Park Lane bash.

More on the Gizmondo soon... especially when we get our hands on one of the wee beasties.

===================================

+11W 4D アラタの好きな遊び Arata's favourite play

今日はベイビーマッサージへ行った後、Turks Headで4人でお茶をした。それにしても暑いから、アラタは下着一丁でいた。カフェのオーナーもウエイトレスも「抱っこさせて」とやってくる。アラタくんは毎日女性に抱っこされて幸せね。

さて、最近の彼のお気に入りの遊びはプレイジム。上からぶら下がっているおもちゃを揺らすと、真ん中に付いている牛の人形が動いて音楽が鳴る。アラタは、口をとんがらかせて、うなったり、叫んだりしながら一生懸命ぬいぐるみを叩いている。自分の働きかけに対して、牛やおもちゃが応えてくれるのが楽しいようだ。最近は横についている蝶に触ったり掴もうとしている。Jasonはアラタを膝に乗せて「お馬さん」や、高い高いをたまにする。アラタは本当に嬉しそうにしている。

We went to a baby massage session and to the Turks Head after that. It was anyway really hot. Arata was in only a short sleeve vest. The owner of the cafe and a waitress came round to hold Arata. He is held by many women every day!

Arata's favourite past time is play gym. When he punches the toys hanging down, the plastic cow at the top makes noise or music and swing. Arata often really concentrates on it. When he plays with it, he makes lots of different noises, pointing his mouth out! He likes the movements triggered by his own activity. Arata has also started to take an interest in the butterflies, which are made of unique material, at the side of the gym. He tries to touch and grab them. Jason sometimes plays 'horse riding' with him. Arata enjoys playing with dad.

+11W 3D 日本の母乳パッド Japanese made breast pads

今日は、午後、かおりさんとWappingにあるカフェ、Turks Headへ行った。元パブを改装してカフェにしたらしいが、外から見たらどう見てもパブ。今まで何回か前を通ったが、カフェとは知らなかった。ソファがあってそんなに混んでいないから、ママさんたちの集まりにはもってこい。ベイビーチェンジングベッドもある。それにしても今日は暑くて、18度ぐらいになった。

さて、アラタは最近泣き出す前に口をへの字にする。母乳ってすごい。こんな表情を見ているだけでも、ぽたぽた垂れてくる。ところで、さすが、日本製の母乳パッドは優れものだ。薄く、母乳はジェル状にキャッチするから快適で、漏れなくてかゆくならない素材、テープは2箇所付いていて、個別包装されている。そして何より安い。大量に日本で買った。Ebayで売れないかなあ。

We went to a cafe, Turks Head, in Wapping. It's used to be a pub and if you look at it from outside, it is still a pub!! I didn't know it was a cafe even if I'd walked past many times before. There are some sofa and a baby changing mat in the ladies. It's not so busy and suitable for mums' gathering. It was quite hot today, about 18C in the afternoon.

Just before Arata starts to cry, he pushes the edges of his mouth down. Even when I look at this sort of his expression, breastmilk starts to flow! I've discovered that Japanese made breast pads are really good. They are ultra thin, seal milk in gel, waterproof material, non-itchy, with 2 tapes and packed individually. What's more, they are much cheaper. I ordered quite a lot of them on the internet in Japan. I wonder if we can sell them on eBay?

+11W 2D ファーストキス First kiss

アラタのファーストキスは4歳年上のタバサちゃんに奪われた。

午後、しほさんのうちへ行った。彼女の家にはよく日本人ママが集まってお茶をする。今日は日本から来たばかりのあゆみさんが来ていた。彼女の一人娘、タバサちゃんはおしゃまな4歳で、お人形を持ってきてくれたり、抱っこしたり、毛布をかけたり、赤ちゃんアラタの面倒をみてくれた。そして、「かわいい」と言ったタバサちゃんにアラタはちゅーされたのだ。アラタはにーっと笑って、満更でもなさそうだった。

Arata's first kiss was stolen by a 4 year older girl, Tabasa-chan.

We went to Shiho's this afternoon. From time to time, Japanese mums gather at her place to chat over tea. We had Ayumi, who has just arrived from London, yesterday and her daughter is Tabasa. She looked after baby Arata, bringing dolls to him, holding him and putting a blanket on him when he was having a nap. Then she said, 'He is cute' and kissed him. Arata looked he didn't mind at all!

+11W 0D おめかし Dressing up

アラタは上から下までつながっているスリープスーツを昼も夜も着ている。寝かせたまま着替えさせられるから楽。でも、出産祝いにもらったかわいい服が着れなくなってももったいないので、外出する時は着替えさせる事にした。ところが、パステルカラーの赤ちゃんっぽい服がどうも似合わない。ちょっと大人っぽい？顔をしているからな～。これはビルギットにもらったドイツの服。

Arata usually wears sleepsuits. They are very handy because we can change his clothes while he is lying. We also have a couple of nice baby clothes, most of them are presents from our friends or relatives, and we've decided to use them before Arata quickly grows out of them. Surprisingly, cute typical baby clothes in pastel colours do not suit Arata!!!

Arata is in German (?) baby clothes in this photo, a present from Birgit.

+10W 6D リーズ城 Leeds Castle

ひろじゅんと一緒にリーズ城に行った。ひろじゅんが来て以来、例年より寒い日が続いていてちょっと残念。今日も曇りで寒い。それにしてもWappingから一時間ほどの所にこんなにきれいなお城があったなんて。13から16世紀までは王室の居城として使われ、今でも会議などで使われるそうだ。子供連れFriendlyで、ピクニックコンサートなどのイベントも多いようなので、もう少し暖かくなったらまた来よう。

We went to Leeds castle with Hirojyun. Since she arrived, it's been terribly cold. How unlucky she is! Anyway, I didn't know there is such a beautiful place in about 1 hour drive from Wapping. This castle was the king's residence from 13th to 16th century and still used for conferences etc. It has nice gardens and lakes, and really family friendly. There are quite a few events in spring and summer. We should come back again soon!

+10W 4D ベイビーマッサージ Baby massage

昨日はSteel Lane Clinicのベイビーマッサージに行った。ヘルスビジターの開催の1時間の集まりで、お茶やお菓子代として40P（80円）。マッサージをみんなでするのは最後の15分ぐらい。あとは他のママさん達とおしゃべりの場。

赤ちゃんを裸にして、オイルでマッサージするのだが、仰向けでマッサージしている時、床に座っている私の太ももが生暖かくなってきた。ひゃー、おしっこしちゃった。呆然としている私の足めがけて、きれいな弧が描かれている・・・。アラタにはしょっちゅうやられるから、おむつを替える時も速攻でやる。だから、「えー？赤ちゃん、裸でおしっこしないんですか？」と開始前に聞いたのは私。ヘルスビジターさんは、「心配するお母さんに限ってやられるのよ。」

うつぶせに寝かせてマッサージさせるのも大変だった。アラタと同じ月齢の赤ちゃん達はみんな気持ちよさそうにしてるのに、アラタだけうんうんうなっている。一生懸命首を持ち上げようとしているのだと思った私は初めは無視していたが、真っ赤になって泣き出してしまった。どうやら頭を横に向けて床に横になることができない？みたいで真下を向いたまま苦しんでいたのだ。慣れていない赤ちゃんは泣くそうだ。もう少し家で腹ばいにさせてあげないとね。

今日は久々にゴルガの所に遊びに行き、モニカちゃんに会ってきた。約5週間アラタよりお姉さんで、一ヶ月前に会った時はアラタはすごくちっちゃく見えたが、かなり追いついてきたんじゃないかなあ。

We went to Steel Lane clinic to attend a baby massage group yesterday. It's a 1 hour session and only 40P including sweet and tea. The group is run by health visitors. We do massage in the last 15 minutes, and the rest of the time is rather socialising time.

We give baby massage using oil. When I was giving Arata a nice shoulder massage, I suddenly felt a warm sensation on my right thigh. Bloody hell! Arata is peeing!!! He was making such a nice arc to my thigh!!! Arata often pees when we change his nappies, so I'm always very careful and change nappies very quickly. Because of this, I was a bit worried and even asked a health visitor, 'Are we going to take off baby's clothes? Are they not going to pee?' at the beginning of the session. Well, she said after Arata peed, 'When the mum is worried, baby senses it!'

Putting Arata on his stomach and giving back massage was also a problem. He wasn't used to be lying on his stomach and he could not tilt his head to the side to rest on the floor. He kept putting his face straight down to the floor and started to cry in the end. Other same weeks old babies were all enjoying massages but Arata didn't. We have to put him on his stomach more often to let him practice.

We went to Gorolana's flat this afternoon. Her daughter Monika is 5 weeks older than Arata and when we first met her about a month ago, Arata looked so small. But he's definitely catching up.

+10W 3D 声を出して笑ったよ Arata laughed

Jasonが仕事から帰ってきてあやしていると、アラタが初めて声を出して笑った。私はキッチンにいて見逃してしまった。初めての笑い、Jasonにとられてしまった。実家の父は今でも「ちずこが初めて声を出して笑ったのは俺があやしていた時だ」と言う。まあ、おっぱいを上げる快感を経験できない男性陣にこのぐらいは譲ってもいいか。確かに昼ごろから兆候があった。私がほっぺをちょんちょんって触ると、今までになく大きな口を開けて喜んでいた。

When Jason was playing with Arata this evening, Arata laughed first time. I missed it as I was in the kitchen. I'd wanted to be the first person to see Arata laugh but I've lost the competition!!! My dad in Japan still says, 'Chiko first laughed when I was playing with her.' Well, ok, I will give this honour to men because they will never experience the great feeling of breastfeeding! Looking back, Arata had a sign of laughing this afternoon. When I touched his cheek, he smiled with the mouth wide open.

+10W 1D アラタの一日 Arata's day

朝、7時から8時の間にウンチをするために起きる。と、言うより、ウンチをする時に顔を真っ赤にして泣きながら力むので起きちゃうんだけど。そして、朝食（おっぱい！）。10時ぐらいから朝寝を2、3時間。その後は夜寝るまでに、昼寝、遊びを1時間ずつぐらいして、おっぱいを飲んで寝るの繰り返し。お風呂は2日に1回。アラタはお風呂が大好き。9時から11時の間に就寝。よほど大声で泣かないとママに無視されるため、夜中のおっぱいは1回ぐらいだ。

Arata wakes up between 7 and 8 in the morning. Well, he is waken up by himself when he poos. He strains and goes red in his face and he makes lots of cries and noises! No wonder he becomes wide awake! He then feeds and has a morning nap at about 10 am for 2,3 hours. After that, he repeats　playing, sleeping and feeding, until evening. We take him a bath in the evening every other day, which Arata enjoys a lot. We put him into bed between 9 and 11 pm. He only wakes up for milk once a night. (Unless he cries loud, mum ignores him!)

+10W 0D 15年ぶり A friend from University

昨日はひろじゅんと一緒にRoyalChinaの点心を食べに行った。彼女は大学時代の友人で、15年ぶりの再会をしたばかり。休みを利用して2週間だけロンドンの語学学校に来ている。私も何か勉強しなきゃ、と、思っているだけの今日この頃。産休中に何か身につけたい。今朝、ベイビークリニックへ。アラタの体重は5.56Kg。

We went to Royal China for Dim Sum with Hirojyun. She is a friend from University and we hadn't seen each other for more than 15 years! She is on holiday from Japan and attending an English crash course for 2 weeks. I feel I also have to do some study, which I haven't done for a long time. I should probably achieve something during the maternity leave. Went to baby clinic this morning. Arata weighed 5.56Kg.

+9W 6D イギリスの母の日 Mother's day in England

今日はイギリスの母の日。1人で朝寝していて、気が付くとJasonがアラタを抱いてベッドに座っている。大の字になって寝ている私の足元に5分前から座っていたらしい。何事かと思ったら、Jasonとアラタから「母の日おめでとう」と、次々にキス！そしておいしいチョコレートのプレゼント。今日は生まれて初めて母の日にプレゼントをもらった日。ちなみにニュージーランドの母の日は、日本と同じく5月の第一日曜日。

Mother's day in England. When I was still sleeping in the morning, I realised that Jason was sitting at the bottom of the bed holding Arata. (He later told me that he was sitting like that for 5 minutes.) When I opened my eyes, Jason and Arata gave me a kiss one after another, of course Jason pushed Arata's lips on me, saying, 'Happy mother's day!' And they gave me a box of chocolate. It's "my" first mother's day in my life! In NZ and Japan, mother's day is on the first Sunday of May.

+9W 4D アラタのビデオ Arata's first month video

親ばかちゃんJasonは、アラタの初めの1ヶ月をビデオにしました。左の写真をクリックするとダウンロードできます。（ダウンロード時間を節約するため画像の質を落としましたが、6.1Mあるので、モデム接続だと30分ぐらいかかる場合があります。）

Jason has created a video clip of Arata in his first month. If you have time to kill, go and have a look to see how artistic(?) Jason is! Just click on this sleepy looking Arata's photo. To improve download time, the quality of the video is not good. Still, it's 6.1M and if you are using modem connection, it may as well take half an hour to download it.

+9W 1D 2ヶ月 2 months old

アラタは27日でちょうど2ヶ月になった。最近は前よりもおしゃべり(?)になってもっといろいろな声を出す。話しかけると赤ちゃん語で応えることもある。朝起きると、ママやパパを見た時ににーっと笑う。げっぷも自分でたまにする。腹ばいにするとしばらく頭を持ち上げられるようになった。この月齢の赤ちゃん特有の「自転車こぎ」運動が好きで、特に私達が手足を動かしたりして一緒に遊んであげると、「見て見て！僕できるよ」って目を見開いて、一生懸命全身を動かすからかわいい。「よくできたね」ってほめてあげるが、テレビを見ながらやってると、アラタがじーっと私の目を見つめていたりして「手抜くなよ！」って言われているようでどきっとする。

とにかく重い。私は昨日からまた腰痛。今朝はこれに偏頭痛が加わってダウン。優しいJasonが会社を休んでくれた。写真は生後3日（左）と2ヶ月（右）のアラタ。

Arata is now 2 months old. He's started to make more complicated noises and sometimes tries to talk to us. In the morning, he smiles at us when he first sees us. He can burp by himself. When laid on his stomach, he can raise his head for a while. His favourite exercise is 'riding bicycle' movements and when we are interacting with him, holding his arms and legs up and down etc, he really enjoys it. Arata opens his eyes wide and shows us how well he can do! But if I am playing with him watching TV, he always stares at me. I feel guilty because he looks at me as if he knows I'm not concentrating.

He is heavy. I've had a backache since yesterday. Migraine is also attacking me today. Jason's taken a day off and looked after Arata. Love you, J! These photos are: Arata 3 days after birth (left) and 2 months (right).