tag:www.ito3.name,2010://1 2010-04-29T02:10:26Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:www.ito3.name,2010://1.206 2010-04-29T02:08:50Z 2010-04-29T02:10:26Z

After some grumbling from me on how long it was taking to update the blog and the requests for more frequent updates, we decided to switch back to blogger. You can see our blog from now on at http://ito3news.blogspot.com/...

After some grumbling from me on how long it was taking to update the blog and the requests for more frequent updates, we decided to switch back to blogger. You can see our blog from now on at http://ito3news.blogspot.com/ tag:www.ito3.name,2010://1.205 2010-04-06T05:41:29Z 2010-04-07T12:31:09Z

Sorry to be "absent" on the blog for a while. We enjoyed the Moser's visit very much and got tons done, but I don't feel quite "settled" yet. I love our new house, though. Once we get curtains hung, I'll...

The following pics aren't in too good of order...sorry. Here's the bench Lloyd made for our entryway. It will come in very handy with our foreign guests! Taking his first bites! Lloyd and Martha were professional "grandma and grandpa". I can tell they have 45? grandchildren! Lloyd taught Tomoki how to get into drawers and make lots of noise! "Now, get in there with both hands--that's it--make a lotta racket"..etc! Tomoki loved them! We took the Kinsinger kids along with us to the flower and bird center. Here's James, Jesse, and Joy! We had a great time! Here's Lloyd working on the fence for our house. We had had several opportunities to see Mt. Fuji, but it was always cloudy...until the last day. We woke up to a beautiful day and quick took a drive to see it before we took the Moser's to the bus stop at noon. I don't think I've seen such a good view of Mt. Fuji for a long time! We were so thankful! We bought a high chair for Tomo-kun. He thinks he's pretty big stuff in it. Martha brought over the quilt that my mom had started for me and her dear friends finished for me. It fit very nicely! Almost made me cry to see it in our new home. Hoping to get curtains soon--am tired of cardboard boxes to block out a little light on the other side of the room! How big is Tomo-kun?! So BIG! It was funny to see Lloyd and Martha tackle the chopsticks--here's eating sushi with a spoon and chopsticks! It was a beautiful day Tuesday, so we decided to get out and enjoy it. Went to the park nearby for a picnic under the cherry blossom trees! Grandma Ito made this little cape and hat for Tomo-kun. ]]> tag:www.ito3.name,2010://1.204 2010-04-06T05:23:44Z 2010-04-06T05:24:05Z

Tests and scans in late March indicated that theoral drug has stopped working and the cancer is spreading again. Dad went to Mexico for 6 days of preconditioning treatment before starting another round of chemo in Peoria. We are thankful...

Tests and scans in late March indicated that theoral drug has stopped working and the cancer is spreading again. Dad went to Mexico for 6 days of preconditioning treatment before starting another round of chemo in Peoria. We are thankful that althougth there are new tumors elswhere, there are no new brain tumors and he still has no symptoms. Thank you again for your prayers. It has been humbling and encouraging for Dad to meet several individuals lately and learn that they pray for him every day. tag:www.ito3.name,2010://1.203 2010-03-18T05:00:13Z 2010-03-18T05:03:06Z

Just to let you know that we got moved and have been very busy getting settled in. Hopefully will get pictures up soon. My aunt Martha and her husband Lloyd arrived safely yesterday and have rolled up their sleeves and...

Just to let you know that we got moved and have been very busy getting settled in. Hopefully will get pictures up soon. My aunt Martha and her husband Lloyd arrived safely yesterday and have rolled up their sleeves and are working already! They are amazed at all the different things here! tag:www.ito3.name,2010://1.202 2010-02-12T06:45:33Z 2010-02-15T08:02:11Z

Several people have asked about Dad's condition. We are thankful to report that since last May he has had 4 scans which show no new brain tumors. The oral drug he has been taking since September has been effective in...

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We had the whole immediate Ito family to our house for sukiyaki last Saturday night. A good time was had by all... We went to visit Akihiro's grandpa, Tomokazu. The kanji for Tomo in Tomoki's name we chose in honor...

We went to visit Akihiro's grandpa, Tomokazu. The kanji for Tomo in Tomoki's name we chose in honor of him. I think you will agree with me though, that Tomoki is a bit easier for the American tongue to say than Tomokazu! Our good Chinese friend, Li, had brought back some very warm looking clothes that his mother made. I couldn't decide which smile I liked better, so I put both in! His "flicker" smile is getting a bit longer now. He's quite the charmer--even this am at 3 am (groan--this growth spurt or 3 month thing or whatever it is that made night time waking times get more frequent!) But, how can you get angry with a cute grin like that?!!! We reserved a moving truck for the first Saturday in March!!!! They started hanging wallpaper this week! ]]> tag:www.ito3.name,2010://1.200 2010-01-20T03:02:52Z 2010-01-20T03:05:28Z

I forgot to say that we did Tomoki's 3 month exam last Saturday. He is at the top of the charts for height and slightly above average on weight. 6.6 kg. (14 pounds, 9 ounces) 64 cm (25.2 inches)...

I forgot to say that we did Tomoki's 3 month exam last Saturday. He is at the top of the charts for height and slightly above average on weight. 6.6 kg. (14 pounds, 9 ounces) 64 cm (25.2 inches) tag:www.ito3.name,2010://1.199 2010-01-20T00:15:55Z 2010-01-20T02:44:04Z

Here are a few pictures from before we went to America. Thanks for all the prayers for our trip home to the States. Tomoki did great! He got kinda tired of being held, so we padded both of our tray...

Thanks for all the prayers for our trip home to the States. Tomoki did great! He got kinda tired of being held, so we padded both of our tray tables and then laid him on top and wrapped a blanket around him and the tray table (yes, I know, we restrained our child to the tray table!). He was happy as a clam and kicking all extremities until he fell fast asleep. He didn't cry hardly at all! Here he meets some of his cousins! Our family Christmas... Since we've come home, he's really taken a liking to the lazy boy! He is his father's son, I guess! The day after we came home Akihiro and I came down with some sort of bug--I'll spare the details, but just say it wasn't pleasant. Thankfully Tomoki didn't get it and Akihiro's mom came and took care of us for 2 days. We are finally on the mend and getting adjusted back to this time zone! Here are some pictures of our house! They say it should be done by Feb 20th....we'll see! ]]> tag:www.ito3.name,2009://1.198 2009-11-28T06:39:47Z 2009-11-28T07:32:20Z

Tomoki is growing big fast! At his one month check up he was 5 cm taller and his head and chest circumference were each 3 cm bigger! No wonder he is growing out of his clothes and we have to...

And four generations of Kimuras. He was pretty popular with the girls He looked like a little Japanese priest in this little outfit! This smile melts my heart! Grandma Ito made this cute little vest and also some mittens--he's got his mother's cold hands! ]]> tag:www.ito3.name,2009://1.197 2009-11-17T04:10:21Z 2009-11-17T04:22:59Z

Dad arrived safely here and has been thoroughly charmed by Tomoki! Dad has been a great help too--he changed diapers, washed dishes, rocked Tomoki, and even did a little packing for me! He and Akihiro left Monday for the Phillippines....

Here he is with Grandma Ito. He likes to read the newspaper with daddy.. Here's his cute little smile. The picture is about a week old. I had mentioned I would post pictures of the hos pital food...it was delicious! It's a good thing I like Japanese food! ]]> tag:www.ito3.name,2009://1.196 2009-10-29T10:51:21Z 2009-10-30T11:30:39Z

Life has been busy with our little fella, but what a joy he is to take care of! Here are some pictures of the last 12 days. A few people have asked about his name and the pronunciation of it....

Our first family picture Here is the nursery at the clinic. He was twice as heavy as the little girls next to him! "Uncle" Li-san visited the night he was born Here is the statistics card. On the left is the average for Japanese boys. On the right is for girls. Tomoki is in the middle. First is his weight, then height, then chest, then head. Here is the doctor who did the c section and his wife who assisted (she is also an OB doctor). They let Akihiro cut the cord and assist with Tomoki's care. Here's the proud papa and his son on day 2. We had visitors the third day--here's Vicki Ramseyer--she came with Eiko-san. Here's my Japanese mom and dad. (the new neighbors) Here's Akihiro's cousins, Yumi and Saiyaka. Onoda-san and Hiroko-san from Tokyo church came on day 5 Jana and Charity and Amy came too.. Grandpa Ito--we are pretty sure Tomoki got his cheeks! The Kinsinger family visited too and I heard they put their pics on their blog, so I will be lazy and not put them on. Also Andrew and the rest of the girls and Jana and the boys visited once we got home. Thanks for visiting! Uncle Tsuyoshi and Aunt Yuko visited on day 7. Aunt Kayuko also came on day 7. Even though she delivers babies all the time, she was quite smitten by Tomoki and his big cheeks and super size!! After being in the hospital a week and a half and one week after delivery, we headed home! They had given us a headband--white for boys and pink for girls. I had sent it home with Akihiro--didn't want my boy to wear a lace headband, but the clinic insisted he wear it for the discharge picture! Poor little guy! The green crocheted dress was made by Akihiro's mom. He looked like a little fat lady by the time we had him all dressed! Here's his first bath at home. I think he's got plenty of Japanese blood, because he seemed to enjoy it immensely. 10 days old! I think he looks like the baby pictures of my brother, John here on his 11th day! Gotta love this face! He loves his swing from the Bahrs! 12 days old! Tomoki gave us his first few smiles last night--a bit ornery looking already! Haven't captured any on camera yet, though! ]]> tag:www.ito3.name,2009://1.195 2009-10-21T09:41:39Z 2009-10-21T11:28:00Z

It seems like Tomo-kun has always been with us, but it has only been four days! We are head-over-heels in love with this little guy and are so thankful for this wonderful miracle! Like one person told us, we are...

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Tomoki Charles Ito was born (finally :) ) on October 17th at 3;33PM by c-section at our local clinic in Hachioji, Tokyo. He was 4302 grams (9lbs7oz!!) and 52.5 cm(20.7inch). For the English speaking tongues--it is said like Tow Mow...

Tomoki Charles Ito was born (finally :) ) on October 17th at 3;33PM by c-section at our local clinic in Hachioji, Tokyo. He was 4302 grams (9lbs7oz!!) and 52.5 cm(20.7inch). For the English speaking tongues--it is said like Tow Mow Key :) The first kanji (Chinese character) "tomo" means "wisdom" and the kanji is the same as Akihiro's grandpa, Tomokazu. The second kanji "ki" is from the kanji for hope--"kibou". This represents the great hope that little Tomoki-kun has been for us through Mom's passing and Dad's cancer and life in general. It also represents the great hope we have for him and his future--that he can serve the Lord with wisdom. The middle name "Charles" is my dad's name, as most of you know. We are thankful for the Godly example that Dad has been throughout our lifetime and pray that Tomoki can follow this Godly example as well. For short, we will call him Tomo-kun :) Thanks for your prayers for us! tag:www.ito3.name,2009://1.193 2009-10-17T00:48:33Z 2009-10-17T02:17:40Z

Just got back from the doctor and things still aren't ripe and Baby-kun is still riding too high to safely break my water (danger of cord prolapse). After discussing the situation we all felt it was best to just go...

Just got back from the doctor and things still aren't ripe and Baby-kun is still riding too high to safely break my water (danger of cord prolapse). After discussing the situation we all felt it was best to just go ahead and schedule the c-section for this afternoon--starting sometime between 2 and 3 PM. We feel a peace about this and are very excited to finally meet our Baby-kun! Akihiro will be in the surgery room with me the whole time, so I am very thankful (and spoiled)! Thanks again for your prayers! tag:www.ito3.name,2009://1.192 2009-10-16T08:58:17Z 2009-10-16T10:56:59Z

Baby-kun seems to be enjoying keeping us waiting! I hesitate to know how many details to share, so I apologize if it is TMI, but it seems that the blog is the easiest way to keep interested people updated. They...

Baby-kun seems to be enjoying keeping us waiting! I hesitate to know how many details to share, so I apologize if it is TMI, but it seems that the blog is the easiest way to keep interested people updated. They started pitocin this morning and gradually increased it, but my contractions actually lessened since the removal of the seaweed. They even raised it farther than the standard Japanese maximum, but I could only feel a little contraction as I paced the halls--back and forth, back and forth. The worst discomfort was from my empty stomach growling--it is used to being fed every 4 hours for the last 9 months! There were contractions on the monitor, but not strong enough to do anything, I guess. By the end of the day I had actually shrunk down to 4 cm and the baby is even higher in my pelvis. The doc came in and said that tomorrow morning they will break my water, give the pitocin another try, and if no progress by 3 or 4 in the afternoon, it is a c section. They have been very patient here at the clinic and willing to give the natural childbirth the "college try" for which we are thankful. Also, I can't complain as some women are in real labor for several days, and I sure haven't had much discomfort at all. Baby-kun continues to be very active and is healthy, but Sunday he will be 42 weeks and the risks start going up then. Personally I wonder if he is just too big to descend into my pelvis, but I guess we'll find out what happens tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers! We are actually doing ok with the waiting.