S.O.S.

First, we apologize for placing this very personal matter here.

Some of you already know that we figured out Mutsumi is no longer able to be pregnant. It was very shocking news for us. It hurts us. Mutsumi has very high FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) level. Normal levels are below 10.2mlU/ml, and the borderline level for pregnancy is between 10.2 to 13.9, but Mutsumi's level was 40 and 50. Women who are going through menopause have the same numbers. What it means is that she doesn't have any eggs left, or if there are any, they may not be in good condition. If Mutsumi is really going through early menopause, We need to see specialists to make plans for future health issues to support bones and etc. However, at the same time we can not give up hope that her body revives since she is young.

We still want to get pregnant. So, here is a huge favor: If you know anything good such as doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors, supplements, herbs, food, exercises, etc. Please let us know. We are researching them as well. Right now, egg donors and adoption are not options for us, as well as we have financial limitations, since fertility isn't covered by insurance as much.

We'd like to let you know we are very happy with Amalie. She is the greatest gift for us. She is more than what we could ask for.

Thank you very much!

Ryan and Mutsumi

Link to Amalie's Photo Shoot

Go to www.collages.net

Once you are there you will see the "guest log in" on the left side.

The username is: Ryan (case sensitive)
Password is: 16832

The next page will ask for your email and name (only for record keeping purposes, no solicitation).

Once you get to the actual page that says "Portraits of Amalie", and then you want to look to the left side of the page and click on "webshow", which will take you through all the pictures.

I hope you enjoy!

海璃の七五三の写真撮影の写真です。プロにとってもらいました。たくさんあるので、時間のあるときにでもどうぞ。10月まで上のリンクで見れます。
ユーザーネーム: Ryan (Rは大文字)
パスワード: 16832

Rainbow

I wished something good will happen to us.

何かいいことあるかな。

We couldn't to make it to the park.

We had to U-turn back to home on the way to the park. Amalie loves her Elmo umbrella.

久しぶりに3人で公園に行こうと思ったら、雨。雲行きが怪しかったので傘を持っていって正解でした。

By Self

That's what she says for everything---washing hands, go potty, dressing, riding tricycle, cooking...

Once in a while, she'll hurt or burn herself, but it doesn't stop her being in the kitchen.

Also, she loves cleaning floor with her baby wipes. She rinses it, and keeps cleaning. She wants to call Ryan in a middle of her serious work, and she tells him,

"I'm busy! Ryan".

The name 'Amalie' is Scandinavian which means 'work'. She is it.

何でも「一人で」と言い張り、何でもできるようになりました。お膳拭きでスープのボールをぬぐっていたり、ズボンの上にブルマをはいて庭にでてきたり、ギョッとする事はたくさんあるけど、どんどん育っていく海璃がすごいなぁ、と思うのとちょっとさみしい複雑な気持ちです。

写真は、やけどをしても、手を切っても、それでも毎日意気揚々とクッキングする海璃です。昨日は、お尻拭きで床の掃除に燃えていました。拭いては、洗ってを繰り返して、その、忙しいさなかに電話を持ってきてパパに電話して、というのでかけたら、

「ライアン、わたし、いそがしいの！」

の一言。

'Amalie' の名前はノルウェー語で’お仕事’という意味。本当にその通り。

Good Job Us!

House is painted, garage door is in, lights are up, and we finished the garage! We just need a driveway...

FYI: This is a final coat of paint. It's not a primer. I know the color came out lighter than the sample was, but some people still ask us from the street,

"So, what color are you painting."

"..........Uhhhh, this is it."

"....Oh~! It's nice"

Then they hurry their way off. I think if we make custom shutters and a trellis over the garage with a dark espresso color it would be nice.

外壁の塗装、車庫、完成です。外壁、塗ったらとても白っぽく出来上がってしまって、ちょっと不満足。そのうち、濃いエスプレッソ色で飾り雨戸やトラレスを車庫の上にアーチでつけたりすればいいのかな。

We are switching a 4x6 window to a patio sliding door this weekend.

Amalie is a girl!

My friend, Tomoko made this bracelet for Amalie. Amalie is of course, really excited about this new JEWELRY.

お友達の朋子が海璃にブレスレットを作ってくれました。日焼けして真っ黒な手に、おしゃまです。

とてもうれしくてサプライズな小包みでした。

Night Picnic

Summer is back!

Michael Allen Harrison came to the Westlake Park, so we had a picnic dinner tonight. I made miso marinaded salmon, roast zucchini, cauliflowers, celery and grape salad, rice balls and banana bread for desert.

Michael Allen Harrison is a pianist. We like him playing classical music, and his CD,'BEDTIME LULLABIES’is the best. Besides, Patric Lamb was there, too. He played lots of the saxophone and the clarinet.

It was hot during the day, but there was breeze at the field. I was full with great food, music and beautiful sky (horrible camera work!).

再び、夏です。

マイケル・アレン・ハリソンが近所の公園にコンサートにやってきたので夜ご飯ピクニックしに行きました。今日のメニューは、鮭の味噌ロースト、ズッキーニのロースト、カリフラワーとセロリと黒ブドウのサラダ、そしてデザートにバナナブレッド。本当は、ご近所さんのマーゴがいっしょに来る予定だったので少し張り切ってご飯を作っただけ・・・なのですが、マーゴは日に当たりたくないらしくキャンセルでした。

今日はサマーコンサートでバンド編成だったけど、マイケル・アレン・ハリソンのクラッシックが素敵です。ピアノの子守唄も出していて（'BEDTIME LULLABIES’）最高。それに加えて、なんとパトリック・ラムが出演していて、びっくり。サックスホーンとクラリネット、たくさん聴けて、ピクニックもおいしかったし、空はきれいだったし、夏だし、つかの間のひとときでした。

Barcode

She is hiding her bald spot.

Just letting you know that I clean this mirror often. This is Amalie extract.

すごい事になってます。最強バーコード。

鏡、週2，3回は磨いていますが、海璃エキスが飛び散っています。

Cerial eater at the park

私が公園をぐるぐる走る間、シリアルを食べる娘。

「Kixs、こうえん、たべるぅ。おねがい。」

といそいそと三輪車の籠に入れて出動し、カラスに向かって

「パパ、ダメよ！」

といいながら、最後の牛乳まですすって飲み干すかなりマイペースな彼女。

Patric Lamb

We went to Patrick Lamb's concert at the Bridgeport Village.

Although he was singing most of the time yesterday, he is a excellent saxophonist. His sound is not too strong, but powerful, and exciting. Anyway, look at this little boy with a toy guitar. He was playing very hard with ear plugs in his ears. It was cute. I just respect these professional musicians even more for having a little special guest.

Ryan and Amalie were at the gelato cafe (inside!). I guess the music was too loud for her.

パトリック・ラムのコンサートが近所であったので夕方ちょこっとお出かけしてきました。去年から歌を書くことに目覚めてしまったらしく昨日はもっぱら歌っていた彼ですが、本当はサックスフォーン奏者で、強すぎず、でもパワフルで楽しくなる音を出す人です。サックス、たくさん聴きたかったのになぁ。

ところで、この小さな男の子見て見て！オモチャのギターをかなり本気で弾いていました。耳栓しつつ。本日のスペシャルゲストと紹介までされて、このプロのお方達、なんだか益々尊敬。

そんな中、いっしょに来た父子はジェラート屋さんでアイスを食べておりました。

Lake Pool

なんだか、プールの事ばかりですが、

毎日通ってます。家から車で2，3分というのもお気軽で夕方30分程。海璃と私の2人スイミングレッスンは日々前進で感心の連続です。顔をお水につけてブクブクしたり、フェンスにつかまってバタ足したり、もちろん大人が支えてですが背泳ぎも得意です。週の前半はちょっと暑かったのでいっしょに付いて来たライアンに、それはそれはうれしくて色々見せびらかしていました。先週はキャンディーにそそのかされてやっとこさ胸の深さまで行っていたのに、子供ってすごいなぁつくづく思う毎日です。

We are at the lake everyday. It helps that it's so close to our house. We are there only 30min a day, but Amalie is getting better everyday. She can blow bubbles, put her face down, kick water while holding a fence, and she can do the back stroke with my support. It was pretty hot earlier this week, so Ryan came with us. Amalie got very excited about it, and she showed off so much. It is really amazing how fast kids can learn things!