2Y9M 52W6D 奇声 Screaming

ラグビーワールドカップ。日本は予選で敗退したが、ゆうこさんとテレビで観戦もした。私達、日本人女子だし（？）、つい、「きゃーーーーーーーー」って黄色い声を出して、興奮するんだけど、それをタカラが真似するようになった。

満面の笑みで、腹の底から「キャーーー」と奇声を上げるのでものすごい騒音。そして、それをアラタが真似するようになり、アラタカラで、「キャー」「きゃーー」と呼応し合って喜んでいるから頭が痛い・・・。

ちなみに、Jasonはもちろん、オールブラックスを応援する。ところが、イングランド対トンガの試合で、イングランドを応援している私の横で、トンガのトライに「よっしゃあ」って言ってるから、なんで？

トンガとサモアは、オールブラックスBチーム、Cチームなんだって。両国の殆んどの選手がニュージーランドのクラブチームでプレーしているので、才能があればオールブラックスに選ばれる。及ばない選手が自国の代表になるということらしい。日本チームは、はっきり言って日本＆ニュージーランドの混合チームだから、家庭の事情を差し引いても日本も応援しなきゃね！

面白いアラタ語をアラタのサイトにJasonがアップしました。

（ここをクリック-日本語版は英語の後です。）

写真は、お風呂から出てくると裸のまま奇声を上げて走り回るタカラ。

Since I watched a Japan's match of rugby world cup with Yuko, Takara has started to scream in really high pitch. Well, we Japanese females are "famous" for screaming while watching sports. Yuko and I kept screaming during the match from excitement and Takara decided to copy us.

Takara screams from bottom of his stomach, with a big smile on his face. It's so loud! And.... Arata copies him. They often scream to each other, one screams "Kyaaaaaaaaa" then another goes "Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa".

By the way, of course, Jason supports All Blacks. But when I was "screaming" when watching England vs Tonga, I was surprised to see Jason supporting Tonga. According to him, or in general?, Tonga or Samoa are regarded as All Blacks B and C teams. (Because thouse who can't be chosen from All Blacks play for their own countries as most of them play at club teams in New Zealand. Interesting!) So, how about Japan? Apart from the fact that Jason has a strong connection with Japan, Japan team is actually Japanese and New Zealand mixed team and he has to support it!

Jason has added a new entry on Arata's site about his 'interesting' vocabulary!

(Click here.)

This photo is Takara who has been in the bath. As soon as he comes out, he runs naked screaming!

2Y9M 52W4D 似てる？ Do they look twins?

一年間の産休終了。来週の火曜日にタカラは１才になるが、その日が私の初出勤。タカラにとっては8時から6時までナーサリーの初日。今までセトルインセッション（2時間ぐらいの練習）が何回かあったので少しずつ慣れてきた（諦め始めた？）かな。当然、置きに行く時や迎えに行った時はまだまだ大泣きだけれども、アラタを迎えにナーサリーに入ったとたんに泣き出すことはなくなった。ママ的には、アラタをナーサリーに預け始めた時は違和感がなかったのに、今回は罪悪感を感じる。なんでだろう？

アラタが丁度１才になった頃、いくつかのことばを日英両方で理解できていた事を思い出した。果たしてタカラは・・・と試しに「電話どこ？」等聞いてみた。日本語の「電話」だけはわかるようで電話を指さし、電話に向かって突進していたが、電気や時計は理解できない。タカラとはゆっくりと二人だけで過ごす時間が少ないからなあ。ちょっとかわいそうだけど、アラタから学ぶ事もあるから、タカラの数少ないボキャブラリーの一つが「あぱんま（アンパンマン）」だったり、ミニカーをもって「ブーブー」と走らせたりしている。

赤ちゃんに比べて成長が目立たないが、アラタも進歩している。トーマスのジグゾーパズル（2－5才向け）を全く手助けなく完成させていた（写真は誇らしげなアラタ）のには驚いたし、ポティートレーニングは、失敗もまだあるけれども、だいたいできるようになった。少なくともウンチだけはほぼ確実にトイレでしてくれるので助かる。

水曜日、タカラは9.06kgだった。さて、アラタが丁度同じ月齢の時に撮った写真と今のタカラを並べてみました。ほぼ同じ大きさだし、二卵性双生児ならありえるよね？兄弟に見えないって？

My maternity leave will come to end. I'm going back to work next Tuesday, on Takara's 1st birthday. It's going to be his first day at nursery from 8 am to 6 pm as well. Takara has had a couple of settle-in sessions so far and he's been getting used to it. When I go to drop him off and pick him up, he of course still cries very hard. But he doesn't cry any more when we just go to pick up Arata. (Takara did cry as soon as we got into the nursery, just after his settle-in sessions started.) I didn't feel bad when I started to send Arata to nursery but this time, I feel guilty. Why?

When Arata turned one, he could point at a couple of objects when asked in both English and Japanese. We tried to see if Takara can do it. He understood and excitedly walked towards the 'telephone', but in only Japanese and not 'clock' nor 'light'... I must admit that I don't spend much time exclusively with Takara and he probably hasn't had a chance to learn simple words from me. He has an advantage, though. He learns a lot of things from Arata. Takara can only say a couple of words at the moment but one of them is "Apaman", its correct form is "Ampamman", a Japanese cartoon character. He can also play with a toy car saying, "Boo boo!"

Compared to Takara, it's difficult to notice Arata's developments. But when I saw him completed a proper Jigsaw puzzle of Thomas, which is for 2 to 5 years old, without any help, I was quite impressed. He can more or less always tells when he wants to go to the toilet as well. He still makes accidents, but at least he never does poo in nappies any more.

Takara was 9.06Kg on Wednesday. Look at AraTakara in these 2 photos. Arata's photo was taken just before when he turned one. They are at about the same size. Do they look twins? Or do they not even look brothers?

2Y8M 51W3D 泣かなかったよ Arata didn't cry

アラタは今日、初めて泣かずに髪の毛を切ってもらった。ああ、長い道のりだった・・・。「泣かなかったらクランキー（機関車トーマスのお友達）の絵本を買ってあげる」と言って置いたのが効いたかな。それでもいいや。これからはもう大丈夫だろう。写真を見ると、アラタが緊張している様子がよくわかる。頑張ったね！

その後、マッツのうちに寄った。一緒に遊ばないのは相変わらずで、アラタは黙々とマッツのおもちゃを離さず遊んでいるから、喧嘩が絶えない。唯一仲良く寄り添っていたのは、アイスクリームを食べながらテレビを見ていた時だけ。

Arata didn't cry while he was having his hair cut. It was the first time he didn't cry at all!!! It'd been always very hard and stressful to take him to a hair dresser but from now, he will be fine, I think. I told him that I will buy a book of Cranky, a friend of Thomas the tank engine, if he doesn't cry. And it probably worked. Whatever the motivation is, it was good for him! Well done, Arata. I praised him a lot later but when we look at this photo, we can feel his nervousness.

We then went to Mats'. Mats and Aata still don't play together and Arata was playing with Mats' toys quietly without letting him play together or giving them back when Mats wanted. So they had occasional small fights... as usual... Only when they were eating ice lolly, watching TV, they were nicely sitting side by side.

2Y8M 50W6D The Lightbox

近所にオープンしたばかりのギャラリー＆ミュージアム　

The Lightbox

のカフェで。屋外のテーブルは主要道路沿いにあるのに、石を積み上げただけのような壁が防音効果を発揮。

The cafe at

The Lightbox

, museum & gallery, which opened yesterday. Lightbox is just at 5 minutes walk from our flat. It's beside a main road but this stone piled wall works very well to shut down the noises outside.

2Y8M 50W2D 最近のタカラ Takara

体重。先週の月曜日に量ったら8.68Kg。6週間で60Gしか増えなかった。丁度歩き出した時期と重なるからだろう。アラタより一か月分重く生まれたけれど、1ヶ月早く歩き出したから、11ヶ月の時点では同じぐらいの重さになった。

運動能力。強力な握力。握ったスプーンを離させるのは一苦労。そして、ちょっとつかまれるとあざができるから怖い。授乳中に空いてる方の乳首をつまむのはやめてほしいよ。でんぐり返りの格好で足の間から向こうを見るポーズが好きで、よくやっている。音楽がかかると、腰を振って踊りだす。公園では、滑り台付きのフレームに上って、歩いて、下りてをやるようになった。11ヶ月の赤ちゃんにしては上出来だ。

歯。4本。人を噛むのがなおらない。抱いている間に肩を噛まれるJasonがよく悲鳴を上げている。授乳中におっぱいを噛むのも直らないなあ・・・。

言葉＋指さし。おもちゃの電話を持って「バイバーイ。」手で顔を隠して「ばぁー。」「ママ」「ダデ」、そしてアラタの写っている写真を指さして「アータ。」物を指さしながら「ダァ」「ダァ」と言ったり、会話のようなテンポで発声する。

食事。自分で食べようとするので、後片付けは大変！早く上手に食べられるようになるといいな。

Weight. He was 8.68Kg last Monday. Only 60g more than 6 weeks before. I think it's because he started to walk around the same time and he uses more energy now. He was born heavier than Arata 'for one month weight' but he started to walk a month earlier and they've ended up with the similar weight at 11 months old time.

Physical abilities. His grip is so strong and it's really difficult to let a spoon off his hand. When he grabs my arms, I sometimes even get a bruise! I don't like him pinching my other breast while feeding... It's really sore. Takara likes to look through between his legs when he puts his head on the floor. When he hears music, he starts to swing his hips! In a park, he bravely climbs up and down the 'play structure'. He is doing very well for 11 months old child!

Teeth. Takara has 4 teeth at the moment. He still doesn't stop biting us from time to time and I often get shocked to hear Jason screaming! Takara sometimes bites my teats when feeding as well....

Language + pointing. Takara holds a toy phone saying, "Bye bye". He hides his face with a plate or his hands and takes them off saying, "Baa". He can say "Mama" and "Dadi". When Takara finds Arata in a photo, he points it saying, "Aaata!" He often points objects and says, "Da" "Da". He makes noises as if he is talking.

Meal time. Takara wants to eat by himself all the time now. It's always messy but he is practicing and hopefully getting better soon!

2Y8M 49W5D 泣くなよ、アラタ Don't cry!

この週末、近所の公園に

Carters Steam Fair

というファンフェアー（移動遊園地）が来ている。年代物の遊具を集めた移動遊園地なので、蒸気で動くメリーゴーランドやら、レトロな雰囲気が、映画のセットのよう。おまけに、夜に打ち上げられた花火は家のバルコニー（６階）からよーく見えた。

さて、アラタは、どんな乗り物も興味があるのに、「アラタ、乗ってみる？」「乗らない」の会話の繰り返し。つまんないなーと思っていたら、会場を出てから「アラタ車乗る」と言い出したので（いつものパターン）、連れて行った。

気に入った青の車に座ったので1ポンド払う。ところが、動き出した瞬間から降りたがって、泣き出して、最後まで泣いていた。アラタより小さい子も、みんな楽しそうにしていたのに、もったいないなあ・・・。

しょうがない。メリーゴーランドはタカラと乗った。もちろんタカラは興味津々。タカラがもう少し大きくなって、アラタと一緒に乗れるようになったら、アラタも怖がらなくなるかもね。

Carters Steam Fair

has been in Woking and we went there this afternoon. (From our balcony, we could see their fire works as well!)

There were a couple of rides, Arata is old enough to try. He was interested in them but when I asked him if he wanted to go and have a ride, he kept saying, "No." After we left the funfair, he at last said, "I want to ride on a car" so I took him back. (It's very typical Arata, he first says 'no' but later changes his mind...)

He sat in a blue car. I paid a pound. As soon as the cars started to move, Arata tried to get out of the car! Of course, it was too dangerous and I asked him to stay there. He started to cry and didn't stop until the end. All other children including much younger ones looked enjoying the ride. Why not Arata?

I decided to take only Takara to the Merry-go-round. He seemed to enjoy it. When Takara gets a bit older and both of them can do things together, Arata will probably be alright, I hope.

2Y8M 49W0D ダディの誕生日 Daddy's birthday

Jasonの誕生日。M＆Sで買ったケーキを隠しておいたので、「ケーキまであるぞ」とびっくり＆喜ばすつもりだった。ところが「ケーキも用意したのよ」と言って出そうとしたら、「アラタが『ママとハッピィバースディ（＝アラタの誕生ケーキの呼び方）買ったの』と教えてくれたよ」とJason。なんだよー、アラタ、言うなよ～、秘密なんだから～。

最近歌を歌うのが好きなアラタは、「ハッピバースディートゥーユー・・・・」と最後までとても上手に歌えました！

Jason's birthday. I bought a birthday cake from Marks and Spencer as a surprise. When I brought it to the table, I proudly announced, "Today, we even have a birthday cake for you!" But Jason said, "Arata has already told me that you bought a 'Happy Birthday' (Arata calls birthday cake like this)!"

Arata doesn't seem to understand what a secret means but anyway, he sang "Happy birthday" song perfectly to daddy!

2Y8M 48W6D ウエールズ Holiday in Wales

私達が滞在したマナーハウスは、ウエールズ、スノードニア国立公園南の町、

ドルゲスラウ（Dolgellau）

近くの羊牧場に囲まれた静かな所でした。マナーハウスとは昔の貴族の館って書いたけど昔の荘園主の屋敷も指す。今回泊まった

Plas Hen

はこちらね。

広い庭、二つのラウンジ、ダイニング、そしてキッチンには、アガ調理器

（4 Oven AGA Cooker）

が有りの、3家族の滞在には理想的な選択。まあ、日本人的には、古いし、子供も含めてみんな裸足でいたけれども、私はなんとなくサンダルを履いていたって感じ。

蒸気機関車（

The Fairbourne Steam Railway

と、

Welsh Highland RailwayのRhyd DduからCaernarfonまで。

一番景色のよい

Mountain Railway

は乗り損なった。これも乗りたかったな。

）に乗り、お城（

Caernarfon城

と

Harlech城

）を見て、動物パークや水族館へ行って、夕方にはマナーハウスでみんなで食事、という1週間だった。

ファミリーの集まりとしては最高だったけれども、車酔いしたアラタの世話とか、セルフケータリングだったので自分達で調理して、掃除して、洗濯して、といつもと変わらない生活を違う場所でして、尚且つ、外出が増えたので疲れた～。最終日には熱を出して大変な思いをして帰ってきたのは私。来週あたり、託児所のあるリゾートホリデーに行きたいよ～。

もちろん、従兄のいないアラタカラには、はとこ達と一緒の貴重な経験。特に、タカラは、他の子供からいろいろな影響を受けた。階段も二階まで上るし、なにしろ自分でご飯を食べたがるようになった。もうベビーフードを食べさせられるのはイヤだとはっきりと主張するから、みんなと同じものを自分で食べさせるようにし始めた。

'Plas Hen'

, the manor house we stayed was located near Dolgellau, a lovely town in Snowdonia national park. The house is surrounded by fields with sheep and it was really quiet.

The house has a good-size garden, 2 lounges, a big dinning room and in the kitchen, they have

4 oven Aga cooker

, which we used every day. It was a nice accommodation for 3 families getting together. I think , for average Japanese people, we still prefer a bit more modern accommodation. If I write that I was the only one who was always wearing flip-flops in the house, you may understand what I mean.

We spent our time visiting castles
(

Caernarfon castle

and

Harlech castle

), riding on steam trains (

The Fairbourne Steam Railway

and

Welsh Highland Railway.

We missed

Mountain Railway

. I also wanted to get on this!), going to mini zoo or aquarium.... For dinner, we took turn to cook or ordered take-away. And after children went to bed, we sat in one of the lounges to have a chat or play games together!

Aratakara, who don't have any cousins, enjoyed having all 4 of their second cousins around. They are all around the same age and they had a big influence especially on Takara. During our stay, he started to reject being fed. He also decided not to take any baby food from ready made jars. He wants to eat the same food as other children eat, and he wants to eat by himself as other children do.

The week was good as a family experience. But to be honest, I got really tired. We had to cook, wash our clothes, clean the place, which means we did the same amount of work as we are at home. In addition, we were in a different place, which gives me extra work. And as we were away, we went out every day, which I don't dare to do when we are at home. On the last day, I developed a temperature and it was really hard for me to travel back to Woking in the car for long hours. Now I want to have a holiday, probably on beach resort with full board, and with a creche to leave Aratakara in it!