2Y3M 26W4D 帰国 Came home

ANAのフライトだったので、ホテルで搭乗手続きができて本当によかった。なんと言っても合計54Kg、5つの荷物を預けたから。成田空港はガラガラで出国検査もあっという間。その上、（ヒースローと違って）バギーのX線のために、子供を下ろしてバギーをたたまされることもなかった。こっちは覚悟して、タカラを降ろして抱くためにスリングを着ていたのだけれどもね！

フライトも空いていたのは精神的に助かった。たった40人ちょっとの乗客だったらしい。アラタはスチュワーデスさんと一緒に「おさんぽにいった」り、シールブックで遊んだり、予想していたほど大変ではなかった。会話ができるようになって、言い聞かせることができるようになった効果かもしれない。さすがにあと4時間、モスクワ上空ぐらいで飽きてきたアラタは、「ママ、おりよっか。」前日も9時間しか寝てないのに結局寝たのは最後の2時間半だけ。私は最後の1時間だけやっと1人の時間。機内にある雑誌や新聞を大急ぎで読んだわ。耳が痛くなるからと、おっぱい上げたりお菓子食べさせたりする準備もしていたけれど、2人とも着陸時には爆睡。

It was good that we could check in at the check-in counter at ANA hotel. After all, we had 54Kg, 5 pieces of check-in luggage! Immigration at Narita wasn't busy and I wasn't asked to take off Aratakara from buggy to be X-rayed. (In Heathrow, I was asked to do so and it was really a big job for me....)

Our flight to Heathrow was almost empty. Only about 40 passengers. This was good for me as it meant more space for Arata and less pressure on me. Arata 'went for a walk' with a flight attendant or spent time playing with a sticker book. It wasn't as bad as I expected. Arata behaved very well. Probably it's because we can now communicate. I can explain him what's going to happen and he has less anxiety.

After about 8 hours, perhaps above Moscow?, Arata must have got bored. He said, "Let's get off." He only slept for 9 hours on the previous night but he still didn't go to sleep. He only gave in 2.5 hours before landing. I had a plan what to do for landing, the period children's ears get sore, but Aratakara were fast asleep!

2Y3M 26W3D 成田全日空ホテル ANA Narita hotel

アラタカラと私で50Kgまでチェックインできるので、ベビーフードや食材をダンボール箱に詰めて、ついでに布団用マットレスやござも持って帰ることにした。こうなると父の車に荷物と人間は入りきらない。その上、お昼前のフライトのために朝早く起きることやラッシュ時の移動を考えて、前日に成田に一泊することにした。

運よく、成田全日空ホテル4人部屋に一室18000円で宿泊できるディールをネットでみつけた。（3人部屋だと15000円だったけど、大きい部屋にした。）新幹線と成田エクスプレスに乗り、ホテル17階のレストランで夜景を見ながら夕食を取り、日本最後の夜を両親とゆっくり過ごした。29日の朝、タイ旅行から成田へ戻ってきたなゆみちゃんがその足で会いに来てくれて、みんなで朝食後、出発。

We are allowed to check in luggage up to 50Kg among 3 of us and I've bought lots of stuff including baby food, a mattress for futon and even a small tatami carpet. The problem is, not all of us and luggage can go to my dad's car. In addition, our flight is around noon and we will definitely have to travel during the rush hour. We decided to stay one night at a hotel in Narita.

I luckily found a deal at ANA Narita hotel for 18000 yen (90 pounds) for 4 adults. (We don't have to pay for Aratakara but I chose a large room as it was only 3000 yen difference.) My dad left by car with our luggage. The rest of us left home in the early afternoon and took Shinkansen and Narita Express to Narita. After checking in, we had dinner at a restaurant on the 17th floor with beautiful night view. In the next morning, Nayumi came to visit us to the hotel for the last time. She had just arrived back to Narita from a 2 week holiday in Thailand.

2Y3M 26W1D 本 Books

昨日、『さいのこ』にお別れに行った。3時半からの絵本の読み聞かせで、『はらぺこあおむし』特大版をスタッフの長沢さんが読んでくれた。タカラはお座りしておりこうさん。もちろんアラタは聞いちゃいない。

今日は大宮区役所に「ブックスタート」の本をもらいに行く。4ヶ月から10ヶ月の子供を連れて行くとスタッフが本を読んでくれて、その本をもらえる。さいたま市は政令指定都市になった2003年過ぎから

「ブックスタート」事業

が始まったようだ。

「発祥の地はイギリスのバーミンガムなんです」

と言われて、アラタもついこの間、本やクレヨンが詰まった「Bookstart」とプリントされたカバンをもらったことを思い出した。イギリスでは一歳前、一歳半から2歳半、3歳から4歳用のシリーズがあって、アラタは今まで2回もらっている。

大宮東図書館が実家のそばなのでアラタカラの図書館カードも作って本を借りている。もともとトトロのDVDを借りるために行ったが、図書館には思ったほどビデオやDVDの品揃えがない。結局レンタルDVD屋の会員になったが、180円で7泊8日なら高くないか。

We went to Sainoko yesterday to say good-bye. At the story time Nagasawa san, one of the staff, read a huge version of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Takara was sitting and listening quietly. Arata was, of course, not.

We went to Omiya Ward office to get a free book for Takara. It's a part of 'Bookstart' project. We can bring 4 to 10 months old children and a member of staff reads a book for them, as well. She told me that

'Bookstart'

is originally from Birmingham. It rang a bell. Arata has recently got a bag of books and crayons at child clinic in Woking when he turned 2. And there was a print of 'Bookstart' on the bag.

There is Omiya Higashi Library near my parents'. I went to have Arata and Takara made membership cards. We originally went there hoping to be able to borrow Totoro DVD but the range of DVD and Videos at library is very narrow. From a DVD rental shop, we can rent a DVD for only 180 yen (80p) for a week. Not bad.

2Y2M 25W0D 3姉妹 3 sisters

本当に楽しそうな3姉妹！やまやの3人娘、あかり(9才）、ひかり（7）、みのり（5）ちゃん。

はぎ＆やまやと地元で遊んだ。「地元」とは、当時の大砂土中学校学区内ってこと。大和田と東大宮の「しまむら」で買い物をして、

『アマレットヒロ　Amaretto Hiro』

でランチ。堀崎から島町、東大宮5丁目を通って砂団地付近まで、昔のように自転車でうろうろ。最後に

『ル.トレフル　Le Trefle』

（さいたま市見沼区堀崎町1661 砂サンシャインシティ2番館106号　048-687-1522）
の最高においしいケーキを食べるという超豪華版？

やまやの実家にお邪魔してケーキを食べた。今日「だけ」はル.トレフルのケーキを食べることよりも、3人娘にお目にかかる事がメイン。印象は？女の子3人って本当に華やか。そして、女の子って赤ちゃんが好きだからタカラは人気者。末娘のみのりちゃんなんて、タカラをずっと抱っこしていて、「一晩貸して！」だって。

These sweet girls are Yamaya's daughters. They are Akari (9 years old), Hikari (7)and Minori (5).

Yamaya, Hagichan and I got together today. We went to the same junior high and of course we decided to do local things without our children. They are:- going to

'Amaretto Hiro'

for lunch, cycling around the area we would go together. And we had gorgeous cakes from

'Le Trefle'.

We had coffee and ate the cakes at Yamaya's mother's flat because Hagi and I wanted to see Yamaya's 3 daughters. Having 3 girls at home is so nice. It's completely different from having 2 boys even at this age... And girls love babies. They were fighting for touching and cuddling lucky Takara. The youngest Minori was cuddling him all the time and said, "Can I borrow him for one night?"

2Y2M 24W6D 千客万来 Lots of visitors

昨日も激しい土曜日だった。大学時代のソフトボール仲間のジャイアンとカドイさんが東京から会いに来てくれた。普段はロンボク島に住んでいるカドイさんとは運よく一時帰国が重なった。

弟も会いに来ることになったので、この前と同様、アラタカラは二階で私の友達に遊んでもらっては下に降りて行って弟と遊ぶ･･･の掛け持ち。

そして、学生時代に家庭教師をしていたなおこちゃんが、私の一時帰国を聞きつけて会いに来てくれた。歩いて一分のところが彼女の実家だけれども、もう20年近く会っていなかった。子育ての合間に足圧（そくあつ）マッサージ師もしているなおこちゃんにちゃっかりマッサージしてもらっちゃった。気持ちよかった～。アラタはその間、生（いく）くん（7歳）やうたちゃん（1歳半）と遊んでいた。

10時近くになり弟を土呂駅まで送って行ったその足で、

むさしの湯（ここ参照）

で中学時代のソフト部同期と合流。はぎちゃんとはよく会うけれど、やまやは子供が春休みで里帰り中なので、やっぱり運よく会えたってことだ。3年ぶりの再会は、いきなり裸で「久しぶり～！」

私の過密スケジュールに振り回される両親の怒り爆発。でも、次に会えるのはいつだかわからないし、もう一生チャンスがないかもしれない。会える時に会っておきたいと思うのは私も年を取ったってことかしら。

It was another busy Saturday. Gian and Kadoi san, friends from University Softball team, came to see us all the way from Tokyo. Kadoi san usually lives in Lombok in Indonesia and we've happened to be in Japan at the same time! My brother also came and like on the Saturday a month ago, Aratakara busily went upstairs and downstairs to be played with us or my brother.

I also had a surprise visit by Naoko chan. I was a private tutor when she was at junior high, when I was a University student. We haven't seen each other since, even though her parents live only a minute from here. She is now a mother of 2, Iku (7 years old) and Uta (1.5 Years). She also works on part time doing acupressure with her "feet". It's unusual. She gave me a nice through massage. It was so good! While I was having a massage, Arata was playing with her 2 kids.

At about 10pm, I dropped my brother off at Toro station and went straight to

Musashino Yu hot spring (see my old blog)

to meet my softball friends from junior high. I see Hagichan often but I was lucky to be able to see Yamaya, who's been back at her mother with her 3 daughters during school holiday.

Well, my parents have had enough. My busy schedule and unplanned babysitting have made them mad. They are really angry with me.... But I want to see my friends who I don't know when or if I can see next time. I really feel I want to do lots of reunions. I don't know exactly why. Probably a sign of aging??

2Y2M 24W5D 「起きよっか」 Let's get up!

夜、アラタが寝た後も、タカラは11時頃まで起きているのがルーティンだった。タカラが比較的遅くに寝れば「夜通し」寝るから楽だったが、離乳食開始間近ということもあるのかな、また夜中におっぱいを欲しがるようになってきた。

夜中に目を覚ます事は私の疲労度に直接影響するので、母の提案で、一日に一時間ずつ就寝時間を前倒ししてみることにした。意外とあっさり成功して、今はタカラも9時前に寝付いてくれる。そしてホッと一息両親とビールを飲んだりしている。

朝、目を覚ますと幸せ一杯の表情でおしゃべりしているタカラ。少し長く眠るアラタを起こさないように、早起きしている両親のところへタカラを連れて行って、私は二度寝。しばらくうとうとしていると、「アラタ　いっぱい　ねんねした」「起きよっか」と隣に寝ているアラタに起こされる毎日…。

Up until a few weeks ago, Takara only went to sleep at 11pm after Arata goes to bed at about 8.30. It was a good routine for me as Takara could "sleep thorough" if it was only from 11pm. But he's started to wake up for feed again. It's probably because he gets hungry as he grows and I haven't started his weaning yet.

Getting up to feed in the middle of the night directly affects my energy on the following day. My mum suggested I should try putting Takara in bed one hour earlier every day. It wasn't as difficult as I thought. Takara now goes to sleep almost at the same time as Arata. And my parents and I have enough time to have chat over a glass of beer!

When Takara wakes up in the morning, he happily starts to talk to himself. I pick him up and take him downstairs to my parents, who get up early, and I go back to sleep again. After a while, Arata wakes up. He usually says, "Arata Ippai Nenne shita. (Arata's had lots of sleep.)" And he wakes me up saying, "Okiyokka. (Let's get up.)"

2Y2M 24W4D ダディにあいたいの I want to see Daddy

今朝のアラタの第一声は「ダディに　あいに　いった。」まだベッドの中だったので、ダディの夢でも見ていたのだろう。夜中のうちに90度回転しているアラタの、ごそごそと動き出した足が、隣に寝ている私の母乳で張った胸に当たる。寝起きは最高に機嫌が悪い私はちょっときつく「アラタ、痛いよ！！！」

「ダディー、ダディー、ダディー！！」と叫びながらアラタは泣き出してしまった。ダディがいない時に私に怒られるといつもこう言うのだけれども、今日は続きが…。

「ダディに　あいたいのー。」言葉がとても上手になったと思う。そして、ダディがいない生活もそろそろ限界かなって。

Arata's first words this morning were, "I went to see Daddy." Probably he'd been having a dream of Jason. Then Arata's feet started to bang my, who was sleeping next to him, full and sore breasts. I'm always in a very bad mood in the morning. I went, "Stop it. Very sore!!"

Arata started to cry, "Daddy, Daddy, Daaaadeeeeey!" He always calls for Jason when he is told off by me but it wasn't all this morning. Arata then said, "I want to see Daddy....." I was really impressed how much his language skill has improved. And I also felt strongly it's high time to go home...

2Y2M 24W3D 気が付かないうちに Part2 He has already been able to... Part 2

先週、タカラの成長観察不足を反省したばかり。ところが、また見逃していた。気が付くと、サポートなしで座っている！母に話すと「数日前からよ。気が付かなかったの？」はい、気がつきませんでした･･･。かなり安定して座れるので、この通り、自分だけのものだったおもちゃを侵略されたアラタと、今後繰り返されるであろう長いバトルがもう始まった。

ブログを読み返すと、アラタは19週ぐらいから私がお座りの「練習」をさせていて、やはりこのぐらいの時期にできるようになっている。ほぼ同じ進捗だけれども、タカラの場合は1週間の練習でいきなり本番という印象。大変な思いをしてやらせなくても時期が来れば自然とできるといういい例かな。

It was just last week that I vowed to pay more attention to Takara's developments. But I missed another mile stone. Takara has become to be able to sit up without support. I was so excited to find him doing today, I called my mum to watch him. But she said, "Takara has been doing this for a couple of days. Did you not know it?" Well, no, I didn't... As Takara can sit up for a while, he can now reach Arata's toys. Arata isn't so happy because all the toys used to be "his" possession. They have already started to fight over toys, as you can see in this photo!

I've just read my weblog and found that I had been training Arata to sit up since he was about 19 weeks. He eventually mastered to sit up without support in around the same week as Takara is now. I feel as if Takara had mastered it in only a week. This is a good example that children don't need 'too much' intervention to grow up.

2Y2M 24W2D 親戚 Relatives

お彼岸の中日。母方の祖父母のお墓参りへ行った。「ここにひいおばあちゃんとひいおじいちゃんが眠っている」と教えると、帰宅後も「ひいおばあちゃん　ねんねしてた」と言っていた。

桶川の伯父宅も訪問。いとこが経営している理髪店(『散髪上場』上尾市泉台2丁目)でアラタの散髪をしてもらう。相変わらずおお泣き、大騒ぎするから、抱っこしている私はくたくた。いとこの聡、なかなかやるじゃん。アラタは超ハンサムになった！でも、この写真撮影後、私が前髪の切り残し数本を切ったら台無しに…。ごめん、アラタ。

We visited my maternal grand parents' grave. I explained Arata that his great grand parents are sleeping there. Arata later said, "Great grandma was sleeping."

We also went to see my uncle and auntie in Okegawa. We then went to have Arata's hair cut. One of my cousins, Satoshi, is running a hair dresser nearby. As usual, it was really hard for me to hold Arata while his hair was being cut. Arata kept crying, screaming and trying to escape. As soon as we went into the hair dresser, he said, "Arata is not going to have a hair cut." Satoshi must be a very good one. Arata looked so handsome as in this photo! But after taking this photo, I tried to cut a couple of hair in his front fringe, which was a bit long. And it didn't go well. Arata doesn't look as nice as he is in this photo now.... Sorry, Arata.　

2Y2M 24W1D 優等生 Model students?

懐かしい再会続き。土曜日には大学時代の理工野球部の先輩達と、そして今日は高校時代のソフト部の友達と、それぞれ15年ぶりぐらいに会った。みんな20代の初めての恋愛でゴールインしちゃったような、優等生な人生を歩んでいるから、小学校高学年から中学生ぐらいの子供がいる。面白いのは、今回集まったソフト部の同期はみんなうちの大学の卒業生と結婚している。だから、典型的な家庭の日常を男性側と女性側から見聞きしたような感じだった。

野球部の先輩達は、残業が多く、休日も出勤。子供たちは中高一貫の私立へ行っている。ソフト部の同期は、ダンナが仕事で殆んど家にいない、子供はやっぱり中高一貫の私立へ。

私はJasonが定時で帰ってきてくれていても文句が絶えないから、日本人男性の奥さんは絶対に務まらなかっただろうな。その上、子供を受験させるプレッシャー。それを一人でやらなきゃならないなんて。みんな本当に尊敬しちゃうよ。私にはできない。本音を言えば、日本に住んでいなくてよかった･･･。

もう一つ驚いたのは、これだけ離婚が多い世の中にあって、一人も離婚した友達がいないこと。やっぱりみんな優等生だわ。

I went to 2 reunions in the last week. One is the baseball club from University. The other one is the Softball club at high school. I haven't seen them for about 15 years. Most of them got married with their first love in their 20s. Very typical and ideal in my generation. As good as they were at school. They were always model students. Their children are junior high or high school age. Incidentally, the husbands of my softball friends went to the same university as I, which means their husbands and my baseball friends graduated from the same university. After attending both gatherings I felt so wired. Because their stories are more or less the same.

The male friends from baseball club work very hard, doing long overtime work and often at work on weekends. Those from softball club told me their husbands are very busy at work and they hardly ever spend time with family. Very interestingly, nearly all children from both groups go to "private" junior and high schools, where children have to take very hard exams to get in.

Jason comes home without being so late but I still sometimes feel he is very busy. I would not be able to be a wife of a Japanese man for sure. I also feel relieved that I don't have to bring Aratakara in Japan.

I was very impressed none of my friend have every divorced as well. Even in Japan, lots of marriages end up with divorce nowadays. They are still model students?

2Y2M 23W6D 地元の友達 My friend who lives nearby

ロンドンで一緒に仕事していたあっこちゃん。なんとなく私と雰囲気が似ていて、「妹」のようだと言われている。彼女は偶然にも実家から歩いて10分ぐらいの所に住んでいる。今日は例の『アマレットヒロ　Amaretto Hiro』でディナーをした。アラタカラを寝かしてから電話して集合できるから近くに住んでいるって本当に便利。そういえばロンドンでも近くに住んでいた。そもそも、東京+近郊に友達が散らばっている日本にに対して、ロンドンって、友達がみんなさいたま市に住んでいるような距離感かも。

Akkochan came to see us. She is a friend from London and she now lives only 10 minutes walk from my parents. As she looks a bit like me, I often introduce her as my younger sister! We went to have dinner at Amaretto Hiro. It's really convenient to be able to ring and meet her in just 10 minutes. Actually, we lived very close when she was in London, as well. I often feel London is very compact. I'm so used to Tokyo, it takes at least an hour to go to see friends. To be compared, you feel as if all your friends live in Saitama city when you are in London.

2Y2M 23W4D 日本の友達 Friends in Japan

水曜日、ようこさんとしょうくんが堀崎公園まで遊びに来てくれた。小学校3年生のさやかちゃんのお母さんでもあるようこさんは、子育てや地域情報に熟知していてとっても助かる～。ご主人はマンUとバイエルンのファン。次に会うのは日本じゃなくてドイツかイギリスだったりして。

そして、今日はシノさんとのんちゃんが遊びに来てくれた。シノさんにも何かあるとすぐに聞いちゃう。彼女がママ友と主催している東大宮のママ＆子供の集まり「ままさー」には私たちも何度か参加した。なかなか会えないけれども、アラタカラと同年齢の友達が実家の近くにいると、今後一時帰国の時にも楽しみが増えて嬉しい。

昨日は見沼区役所でアラタカラの体重＆身長測定。タカラ7.33Kg、65.6CM。アラタ10.5Kg、86.5CM。日本では毎回身長も測る。イギリスでは「身長は殆んど変化しない」と言う理由であまり測ってくれない。アラタは体重は4ヶ月横ばいだけれども、身長が伸びているということ、イギリスだったら気が付かなかっただろう。

Wednesday, we met Yoko and Sho at Horisaki Park. Yoko has a 9 year old daughter as well ans she knows lots about child caring and whatever around this area. I always count on her whenever I need to know something. Her husband is a big football fan. He especially loves Man U and Byern Munchen. It might be in Germany or U.K. when we see them next time?

Shino and Nonchan came to visit us today. I also call or text Shino often to ask for some information around Minuma area. Aratakara and I have enjoyed mums & children circle in Higashi Omiya, "mama cir". We went there for a couple of times. Shino is one of the organisers.

We can not see these friends once we are back in the U.K. but having friends near my parents is very good. We will always look forward to seeing them when we come back to Japan next time.

Aratakara went to have weighted and measured. Takara was 7.33Kg and 65.6CM. Arata was 10.5Kg and 86.5CM. In Japan, they always measure children's heights while in England, they don't do that as heights don't change much. If we were not in Japan, we wouldn't have known Arata is getting taller even though his weight hasn't changed for 4 months.

2Y2M 23W2D 気が付かないうちに He has already been able to...

次男の成長のマイルストーンは見逃しがち。話しかけると、赤ちゃん言葉？で応じたり、「きー」っと大きな声をだしたり、いつからかできるようになっていた。アラタのブログを読み返すと、とにかく細かく、「今日、アラタはXXができるようになりました」と書いてある。そして、アラタの記録から気づくこともある。あれ、アラタはもうサポートがあればお座りしていたの？と、やらせてみるとタカラもできるじゃない、なんて具合だ。

今日は少し反省して、タカラの最近の初めてを書いてみよう。キーボードを叩いてPCをシャットダウンした。公園のシーソーにまたがった。そして、生まれて初めてお水を飲んだ。それも喫茶店でコップから。その上、いきなり湯冷ましでもないのは次男の宿命？

Mile stones of second child are tend to be overlooked. I can't remember when Takara started to respond to us with noises or when he started to make a big long noise. With Arata, I kept every small development on my weblog. Often I notice Takara's developments after reading Arata's weblog. For instance, "Wow, Arata could sit up with support at this stage!" and I tried sitting Takara with support to find he can already do it.

There are a couple of Takara's recent "firsts". He banged the keyboard and shut down the PC. He was on a see-saw in a park. And he sip a bit of water for the first time in his life. It was from a glass at a cafe, see this photo, and the water was not even boiled and cooled down water. Is this second child's fate?

2Y2M 23W0D 電車好き Train lover

男の子の乗り物好きってこれだったのね。電車に乗ったり見たりが大好きで、夜は片手に一つずつ新幹線や飛行機を握ったままでないと寝ない。この間、新幹線DVDを買った。以来何回かかけてはいたけれども、アラタが途中で止めちゃうし、食い入るように見ていたわけでもない。でも、覚えている！

けんた＆てっぺい兄弟のママ、ゆうこさんから電車の本をいただいた時は、パラパラとめくって、いきなり「きゅうしゅうしんかんせん！」「は？」と、思った私は写真の下に小さく印刷されている「九州新幹線…」にビックリ。次の私のリアクションは「え、読めるの？」

おもちゃ売り場ではトミーの新幹線を手にとって「レールスター！」おじいちゃんは、パッケージに「レールスター」と書いてあるから驚いて、そして（男の子はみんなこうなんだけど）自分の孫だけが賢いんだと喜んで（おじいちゃんはみんなこうなんだろうな）、思わず買ってあげちゃった。

I've heard boys are obsessed with cars and trains. Arata is no exception. He loves watching trains and cars. He can't go to bed without holding trains or cars in his both hands. I bought a DVD of Shinkansen - Japanese super express trains. We have played it for a couple of time but often Arata turned it off in the middle and he's never seemed to concentrate on it. But he can remember a lot!

When Yuko, Kenta & Tetsu's mum, gave Arata a book of trains, Arata was browsing through it and suddenly said, "Kyushu shinkansen! (the name of one of Shinkansens)" I couldn't understand what Arata was saying and when I found "Kyushu Shinkansen...." in a small print under the photo, I thought "Can he read it??"

At a toy shop, Arata held one of the toy trains and announced, "Rail star! (the name of another type of Shinkansen)" My dad read the package and he was so surprised. He was so happy that Arata was so bright and bought the train for him! Well, all boys are like Arata and all granddads are like my dad?

2Y2M 22W6D 公園デビュー Went to park with Arata

1週間の滞在を終え、Jason

ビジネスクラスで(どうして? 譲ったのよ！)

帰国。温泉も行ったし、盛りだくさんの一週間だった。

Jasonは公園デビュー。ママ達がたむろしている公園に、アラタと一緒に気後れせず通っていた。Jasonは無口だからさすがにママ友は作らなかったけれど、実は日本語わかるんですって言うのは彼にとっては楽しいらしい。何も言わずにおしゃべりを聞いている。

Jasonと久しぶりにデートもした。実家から歩いて2分のところに素敵なイタリアンがある。こんな住宅地の真ん中にあるのが不思議な、ヨーロッパにあるレストラン風で、前から気になっていた所だ。シェフはイタリアで2年の修行を終えたばかり。オーナーはお台場や六本木の元シェフで、自宅に近いこの場に念願のお店を開いたそうだ。料理もワインもおいしくて、ほろ酔い気分になった私は、ロンドンのウエストエンドにいる錯覚に陥った。（『アマレットヒロ　Amaretto Hiro』 さいたま市見沼区堀崎町1661 砂サンシャインシティ2番館102 Tel: 048-688-7800）

After a week of stay, Jason has gone back on

business class. (Why? Well, he got it!)

Including the trip to hot spring, we spent a busy week.

Jason made a debut at park with Arata. In Japan, "Koen (Park) Debut" is important for mothers with small children. They go to nearby park regularly and get into mothers' circle. Well, of course, shy Jason didn't make friends but he went to a couple of parks with Arata, where lots of mums and children are gathering,. He must have enjoyed it because he understands Japanese and other people didn't know about it. Jason could quietly listen to what they were talking about.

Jason and I had a night out on Thursday. We went to an Italian restaurant, only 2 minutes walk from my parents. The atmosphere is very European and it's rather a bit mismatching to the residential area. The main cook had just come back from 2 year training in Italy. The owner was a former cook in Odaiba and Roppongi in Tokyo. He opened his own restaurant near his family home 2 years ago. The food and wine were so good. I got tipsy and I felt as if we were in the West End. (Amaretto Hiro Italian Restaurant - Saitama shi, Minuma ku, Horisaki cho 1661 Tel: 048-688-7800）

2Y2M 22W3D 温泉 Onsen (Hot spring)

みんなで温泉に行った。アラタカラ連れだと大浴場は無理だし、長旅も不可能。新幹線乗り継ぎでいけるぎりぎりの場所、伊豆網代の客室露天風呂+貸切露天付きの旅館に泊まった。この壺のようなのが客間のバルコニーについていたお風呂。もう一つ、アラタが入っているのは貸切風呂。お湯の温度は42度ぐらいでちょっと熱めだからアラタは「痛くて」入りたがらなかった。

We went to Onsen (hot spring). With 2 under 2 years old, the places we can go are limited. It's impossible to go to Onsen hotels with big communal baths. It's impossible to go somewhere far but very nice, either. We ended up going to Izu Ajiro, where we can go by 2 Shinkansen plus a short local line ride. The accommodation have a small Roten Buro (outside onsen bath) in each room. They also have a time sharing Roten Buro. This small pot is the one we had in our room's balcony. The view of Atami from the bath was fantastic. Another one where Arata and Jason are in is the time sharing Roten. The water temperature was about 42C and it was too hot for Arata. He didn't like it because it was "Itai (sore)."

2Y2M 22W0D ダディ！ Daddy!

昨日の夜Jasonが到着。毎日ダディとスカイプしているから忘れたわけではないのだけれど、家に入ってきたダディを見たアラタは少し恥ずかしそうでよそよそしい。でも、抱っこされたらとっても嬉しくて、「ダディ　かえってきた！」ダディは長い間会社に行っていたってことか～。今日は3人でお風呂に入りました。

Jason arrived last night. Arata has talked to Daddy nearly everyday on Skype but when he saw Daddy coming into the house, he looked a bit confused. Well, when Daddy picked him up, Arata started to smile happily! He said, "Daddy came home!" In Arata's head, Daddy had been at work all the time. This evening, Aratakara had a bath with Daddy!

2Y2M 21W6D 今日も忙しかったね Busy Sunday

子育てサイト経由で知り合ったゆうこさん家族と

例のプレイエリア付きカフェ『バンビーレ』

でご対面。木曜日にらっきょともここでランチをしたからすっかり常連かしら。けんた＆てっぺい兄弟はアラタカラとほぼ同じ年だから共感することも多い。アラタカラが間違えなく喜ぶ本をいただいた。どうもありがとう！

午後は植田とはぎちゃんが家に遊びに来てくれた。アラタカラを見ながらゆっくりおしゃべり…とはいかない。なんと、弟まで遊びに来た！私は二階と一階を行ったり来たり。タカラはひろおじちゃんと初対面だ。

そして、夜、やってきました。Jasonが！！

We went to

cafe Bambire, the one with play area,

to see Yuko's 2 sons, Kenta and Tetsu, and her husband. I've got to know her through a mother and children message board and it was the first time to see them. I took Aratakara to the cafe to see Soo Mi, my friend from high school, on Thursday as well. We must be regulars there! Kenta is only a month older than Arata. And Tetsu is also a month older than Takara. Yuko and I can share lots of similar feelings towards our little monkeys. Yuko gave Aratakara nice books. Thank you, Yuko!

In the afternoon, Ueda and Hagichan came to see us. We were going to have a chat relaxingly over coffee but it didn't go that way. I only got to know we were also expecting my brother, Hiro, in the last minute! I went upstairs to talk to my friends for a while then downstairs to my brother, and upstairs...... Hiro saw Takara for the first time.

And..... finally, Jason has arrived!

2Y2M 21W5D 子育てフェスタ Child caring festival

シーノ大宮へ『おいでよ子育てフェスタ』（さいたま市立生涯学習総合センター主催）に行った。会場はいくつかのエリアに分かれていて、スクラップブック作成体験や、ママのバレエ体験なども。歯医者さんに相談のコーナーではアラタの歯を簡単にチェックしてもらい、落書き部屋では壁や床に自由にお絵かき。もちろん、アラタの一番のお気に入りは電車で遊ぼうコーナー。空き牛乳パックで作った電車

（作り方はココ！うちでも作ってみました。）

でボランティアのお兄さんやお姉さんといつまでも遊んでいた。

We went to "Child caring festival" at Seano Omiya. There were lots of small sections like trial ballet for mothers or scrapbook making. We went to a section to talk to a dentist. He checked Arata's teeth and gave him a little toothbrush. Then Arata did drawing on walls and floor in scribbling room which was entirely covered with paper. Of course, his favourite was "Playing with trains" room. There were lots of trains made out of milk cartons,

we tried to make some at home as well

, and a couple of young volunteers were playing with children. Arata was playing with them and he didn't want to go home.

2Y2M 21W3D オリエンタルなタカラ Takara is so oriental?

アラタを公園に連れて行くと必ず誰かが「ハーフちゃんですか」と聞く。ところが、タカラだけを連れて出かけて一度もこの質問をされたことがない。せいぜい、「色が白いわね」か「目が大きいわね。」

0歳児のリズム体操へ行った時も、「目が･･･」「色が･･･」というコメントに続き「首が長いわね！」（本当か？）あまりにも多くの人に、「色が･･･」と言われたので、自分から「ハーフなんです」と言いました。しばらくしてアラタが寄ってきたら、みなさん納得。アラタはJason似だけれども、タカラは日本人度が強い。大勢の0歳児の中にタカラを置くと、なんか違うんだけどね。

さて、両親が発見しました。昔のアルバムを引っ張り出してみると、タカラは私の弟にそっくり！そして、後ろに写っている女の子はアラタの雰囲気が･･･。白黒の写真なんて本物のタカラのよう。実はこれは私です。とても紛らわしい?

When I take Arata to a park, I am always asked if he is mixed race. But when I go out only with Takara, I've never been asked this question! Usually, they only say, "His skin is fair" or "His eyes are big."

When we went to 'song time' for under 1 year old, other mums were making similar comments including, "He has a long neck!" As quite a few of them said Takara's skin is fair, I confessed he is mixed race. When Arata approached me later, they looked convinced. I know Arata looks more like Jason and Takara is like me. But when Takara is among other Japanese babies, he still looks different.

When my parents were browsing through my brother's old albums, they noticed Takara looks like my brother at the same age. The baby in the foreground is my brother. (The girl behind is like Arata?) The baby in the black and white photo is the spitting image of Takara. Well, it's me! Really confusing!!