Rylee is Finally Here!
For those of you who wanted to hear the "marathon"...

I am still in the hospital. Rylee is sleeping next to me. My milk came in fast, and she is already a pro. She has almost gained back her birth weight. I am very thankful that breast feeding is easy this time! Girls are quicker learners than boys, I guess! =-)

As far as labor goes, it was a very long two days. Contractions started off and on the beginning of the week, but started coming regularly on Wednesday. By Wed. afternoon, I knew it was time to GO! They were about 6-7 minutes apart, but the hospital asked that I come in when they were 10 minutes apart, since this was my second birth. Unfortunately, the contractions stayed regular at this pace for SEVERAL hours.

Things progressed slowly from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday night. They started using pitocyn (?) Thursday morning. I DO NOT like that stuff at all! I was in pain, but I was also hurting for little Kadin who was having to be dragged around and have different people to watch him. I cried ALOT for my little boy! When Rylee finally was born on Friday afternoon, Kadin was with his THIRD baby sitter for the day! He had reached his limit! And, when he finally got to see me that night at the hospital, he was soooooo excited. The stress he was experiencing from all the change began to manifest in many ways. But, I have been able to spend some special time with him every day at the hospital -- reading him his favorite book, getting him to "help" me change Rylee's diapers, etc -- and he seems to almost be back to normal. He seems to be adjusting well to having a little sister. Hopefully, we wont' have too many challenges with this transition at home. I wonder if he realizes that she is coming home with me????


On Friday at around noon, I FINALLY dilated up to 5 cm. It was a hard road up until then! I don't know why my body has problems dilating up to 5 cm -- it was the same with Kadin. But, when I finally dilated to 5 cm, they gave me an epidural. This time, it worked! The medication they use here only cuts about 30-50 percent of the pain, but it was enough to take the edge off so that I could relax a bit. As soon as I relaxed, I started dilating much more quickly. My water broke shortly after that. Once my water broke, Rylee was born in 15 minutes. The doctor didn't even make it to the delivery room! Sean had to leave to call the baby sitter, and he almost didn't make it either! It was just me and the midwife! Thankfully, she "caught" Rylee! Sean arrived right before Rylee's head started appearing.
I was hoping for an easy delivery since I had such a hard time with Kadin. All my pregnant Japanese friends here who were due at the same time popped their babies out in a couple of hours. One of them BARELY made it to the hospital! But, I am just thankful that Rylee arrived safely. And, I am thankful for having six days to recover before going home to tackle being a mommy of two! Thankfully, MY Mommy arrives on Saturday!
I sure felt the prayers of all our family and friends who were standing in the gap for us. I praise God for such a great experience with the birth and at the hospital. God has given us favor with all the nurses and doctors and other new mommies. I have made many new friends! I have only experienced having babies in Japan, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but both experiences were GREAT for me. I would definitely have another in Japan... just not anytime soon! =-)

To see Rylee's slide show, click here!

Our little girl's arrival date is less than a week away, and we are greatly awaiting her debut!
After much prayer, we have decided to name her Rylee Suzanne. "Rylee" means "bold and courageous," and also "protected." The spiritual connotation for "Suzanne" is "purity." We know that Rylee is protected by God, and we are so thankful for that! Our hope is that as she grows she will learn to guard and "protect" her own heart, and to keep her heart and mind pure for the Lord.

"Rylee" in Japanese is pronounced the same way in English, ライリー、and the Kanji we chose for her name is "来理," meaning "Coming Truth" or "One who brings truth." May this be prophetic for how God might use her, even as a baby in Japan!



Alice is having lots of fun "practice" contractions, that have gotten pretty intense at times, so we keep thinking, "... Could today be the day???" But, Rylee is keeping us guessing! In the meantime, we continue to enjoy our last few days with Kadin as our "only" child. We know that God is preparing him to be a big brother, and it is truly a treasure to watch him grow and change. He has such a compassionate heart, and is a very happy and gentle child. And he is already practicing his role as "Mommy's little helper," doing "chores" like handing Mommy the laundry from the basket to hang on the line, and learning to pick up after himself. (I am very grateful for this, because bending over to pick things up is now quite a challenge! ) He will be 2 at the end of November. My, time has flown!

Two of my pregnant friends have already had their babies. Chika, the friend with the same due date, is still awaiting the arrival of her son.We are in close contact by email, checking on each other often. She is now in her hometown with her parents so that they can help her after the birth. Her husband will head there from Tokyo as soon as he hears word that the baby is on the way.



We are so grateful to be surrounded by such an incredible support network -- church family and friends who are awaiting that middle-of-the-night call that we need help with Kadin so that we can head to the hospital. Since Rylee and I will be in the hospital for a week, it is a tremendous relief to know that Kadin will have many playmates and people to love on him when Sean is tired or busy. And then, both of our moms are getting to come, for about a week-and-a-half each! We are so grateful to God for such special gifts! My mom will arrive a few days after we bring Rylee home from the hospital, and Sean's mom will come at the end of November, two days after my mom leaves. We are so excited that each of them will get to bond with Rylee and Kadin! It makes being so far away a little more bearable!

Stay tuned for Rylee's arrival announcement! It will be accessible from our home page after she arrives!

It is hard to believe that our little girl's arrival will be sometime in the next four weeks! Mommy and baby are both doing great. Baby is about 2600 grams, or 5.7 pounds. Will she be as big as big brother was when she arrives??? That is a good question! Japanese people are shocked when I tell them that she already weighs almost 6 pounds. Most of the Japanese women I talk to say that that is what their babies weighed, if that much, at full term!

We are very excited about her arrival. I have total peace about the delivery and feel so blessed to be surrounded by friends and church family who are willing to help out with Kadin while I am in the hospital. They could never take the place of real family from home, but God is definitely using them to feel the lonely gaps for us. Speaking of family, my mother is coming for about a week in mid-November, after I go home with the baby. And then, Sean's mom will come at the beginning of December. We are very excited and so thankful that both "Mimi" and "Grandma" get to bond with their two grandchildren in Japan.

Another exciting thing that has happened recently is that Sean has become friends with one of the doctors that I see at the hospital. They have gone out to have coffee together during the doctor's off hours. Sean shared with him that we are missionaries, and he pulled a Bible out of his bag! His wife became a Christian while they were living in the States for a season, and now he is reading the Bible and meeting with a pastor once a month. We really feel that this is a divine appointment, and we are excited at what God is doing in this relationship! Next week we plan to have lunch with both my doctor and his wife!

Big Brother Kadin, who will turn 2 at the end of November, is growing up so fast. He is such a blessing to our hearts, and we treasure every moment that we have alone with him. We know he is going to be a great big brother to his little sister. We are "practicing" with a baby doll. He puts the baby to sleep and puts a blanket over her, etc. It is sure fun to watch him! We are praying for his little heart, that he will be able to understand what is happening when we bring his little sister home.

Chika's little boy Taiichi and Kadin have the same birthday! There is a very big chance that Taiichi's little brother and Kadin's little sister will also have the same birthdays! It has been very fun to be pregnant at the same time with a Japanese friend who has an active toddler at the same stage as Kadin. We have kept in contact through our pregnancy woes, and have enjoyed spending time together. Unfortunately, Chika and I wont be delivering at the same hospital this time. Her husband works very long hours, and she will need help with the baby, so she is going to her hometown this month to stay with her parents. This is pretty common in Japan. Most pregnant women return to their hometowns about a month before the baby is due, and stay for at least a month after the birth. Daddies stay back in Tokyo and work, taking weekend trips to visit when they can steal away from their jobs.



My friend Eriko and son Yuma (also Kadin's age) will also be leaving this month to go to her hometown for the birth of their second son. We have been pregnant together through baby swim class. It was so nice to not be the only one who was being stared at! A pregnant woman in a swimsuit is a rare site in Japan, so we stand out pretty well! Eriko and I have really enjoyed getting to know each other through this season. We sweated through August together, trying to keep Kadin and Yuma occuped inside so we wouldn't have to melt outside in the heat playing at parks. We are so glad that the hot weather is almost over!

Pink it is!!!!

For all of our dear friends who have been asking and waiting... We are definitely having a little girl! This was confirmed at our appointment on Monday. Let's just say at this point that we would be REALLY surprised if this turned out to be a boy!

I am dreaming of little pink things! I finally feel released to start thinking in that direction, and start preparing things for the baby and my week-long hospital stay. We have a little over two months to go, and I know that it will fly by! I also have to finish a big video project for a Japanese Missions Network before the little one arrives. So, when I think, "Only two months...!" I get a little nervous. Thank you, Lord, that your timing is perfect!

We also are praying about a name. I feel like God spoke the name already to my heart, but will wait and confirm that with what Sean feels the Lord is speaking to him. So, stay tuned...!

Kadin is practicing saying "Baby" and pointing to photos of babies that we see when we are out and about. He also points to my tummy and says "baby." A few days ago, he was pulling up my shirt to touch my tummy, and play peek-a-boo with his little sister. My, is he going to be in for a surprise when she really comes out to play!

The big question... pink or blue? Our little one finally decided to give us a sneak peek at today's appointment! We can't say for 100 percent yet, but it sure looks like we are going to have a little girl!

No complications, and no complaints here with the pregnancy. I am very thankful for God's grace that this pregnancy has also been pretty easy. The heat in Tokyo has been getting to me, but Sean has been GREAT in helping with Kadin so that I don't have to be outside in the hottest parts of the day.





As for Kadin, he is looking more and more like a big brother! I can't believe how fast he is changing before our very eyes. He is at a stage that is pretty low maintenance, which I am very thankful for.... no more carrying him up or down the stairs, and when I need break he is content to read books or play contently by himself. We are very thankful for such a happy little boy! He is going to be a great big brother.

We were hoping today to be able to find out if we had a little boy or a little girl in our near future... But our little baby doesn't want to share that information yet! He/she was playing "shy." We are just thankful for a healthy baby, and are really enjoying this pregnancy.

At the ultrasound, we did get to see a few acrobats, and a big yawn. smile=-)


The baby is kicking more and more, reminding us that he/she is with us! This morning as Kadin and I had story-time and were singing some songs, the baby started moving and kicking. I think he/she likes the sound of big brother's voice! We are trying to prepare Kadin for the new arrival in November, but so far he just laughs when I show him my tummy. He thinks Mommy's belly button is funny!

We found out today that our hospital raised it's prices for private rooms. I have the choice of staying in a room with five other women, with one other woman, or I can choose to have a private room and have the baby "room-in" with me. Last time, I started out with a two-person room, and quickly changed to a single room. Sanity and rest were definitely worth the extra price we paid!

From next month, not only will the hospital be offering a couple of private rooms (most Japanese women vouch for the 6-person room, which is at no extra cost). But the hospital is also introducing it's "Premier Suite," which can be yours for only $300 a night! Multiply that by the 5 nights that a new mom will stay in the hospital... Wow! Now that is culture shock!

"Mommy's tummy is growing bigger every day, and I am growing too, so it is getting harder for her to keep up with me!"

At 20 weeks, it is getting a little more difficult to keep up with Kadin. He has perfected his new-found skill of running, and he is quite fast! Sean says he must take after me!

Of course, Kadin is getting faster, and I am getting slower ... I can no longer hide that I am expecting! This makes it easier living in Japan, because some nice people still do have sympathy for pregnant women with small children. There are sections in trains and on buses where people are SUPPOSED to give up their seat for pregnant women or for the elderly. It has only happened once for me so far this pregnancy, but I am believing in the good-heartedness of the Japanese people and expecting more help now that I am obviously pregnant.

After a month in the States, and two international flights with an 18-month-old in my lap, it was such a relief upon returning to Tokyo and to see our little baby on the ultrasound all safe and sound, and obviously quite healthy. He or she is quite active! I am utterly amazed at how the Lord is knitting and forming this little one inside of me. Thank you, Lord, for allowing your daughters to take part in such a beautiful miracle!

I am still feeling good, and very thankful for that! Jogging a few times a week, swimming and practicing prenatal yoga are helping me prepare for the birth, and to stay sane now. I am always tired before I start, but, it feels so good when I finish. Thank you, Sean, for fixing Kadin's breakfast and feeding him in the mornings so that I can get some exercise!

We can't wait to find out whether this little one is a boy or a girl. My doctor said that we should be able to see on my next appointment, July 9th, so stay tuned!

Hi, everybody! Kadin here! Mommy and Daddy keep telling me that I am going to become a big brother this fall, so I decided that I better practice.

No, but really... we are enjoying this new season! Entering the second trimester has been almost like returning to my old energetic self. I have SO much more energy now, and I am feeling great. Late afternoons are not so difficult anymore. And, I still have energy left at the end of the day to enjoy time with Sean and Kadin before bedtime, and even a jog a few times a week.

I am not really showing yet, so no fun photos to show you. Stay tuned, though, for the soon-to-be expanding tummy!

My doctor appointment yesterday was great. This is the really fun season for me! In Japan the doctor wants to look at the baby every appointment. No use in arguing, I have to just go with the flow. It is exciting, though, to get to look forward to seeing the baby every time. This week marked the first appointment and "baby-vieiwing" from an external exam. I think most of you know what I mean by that. Much more comfortable! They provide a bed for me to lie on, right next to the TV monitor, so that I can see the baby very clearly while the doctor is rubbing the instrument on my tummy.

The baby is now 5 cm long. It is amazing to me that we can see something so small in such detail! I don't even look pregnant, yet the Lord is steadily growing and forming this miracle inside of me. I always tear up when I see the little heart beating away so strong and so fast. Thank you, God, for a healthy little baby!

The most amazing moment at this appointment was watching the baby move... his or her little arm and hand moving up to her face. I am in awe of God's handy work! I just started crying and wanted to say, "Mama is here, and I can't wait to meet you!"

All of my blood work came back fine. No anemia or anything else to worry about. The doctor is very at peace with me leaving Japan for a month, and told me to enjoy my time at home. I will see her as soon as I get back to Japan the beginning of June.

Sean and I had a great appointment this morning with my doctor. The baby has grown SO much in three weeks. Even though the baby is only a little bigger than a plum, we can already see the head and the arms and the little body... it is so wild! God just amazes me.

My doctor said that my trip to the US next month, May 7th to June 7th, should be perfect timing. It is a great season to be traveling, she said. Also, the thing that I am the most excited about is that she has already asked me to go and get my mother/baby book at the city hall. Every baby that is born has their own book with all of their records in it - shots, check-ups, etc, from before they are born until they are 6 or 7 years old. It is very convenient! With Kadin, I had to wait until I was five months pregnant to get this book. The fact that she is already asking me to pick up this book makes me feel like she has confidence in my health and the health of this baby.

Dr. Nakao adjusted my due date a couple of days after seeing the baby today. The new estimated date of arrival for Collier Baby # 2 is Nov. 6th.

Also, as Sean and I were waiting to see the doctor, my friend Chika walked in with her son Tai-ichi. This is the friend whose son, Tai-chi was born the same day as Kadin. Chika and I became friends at the pregnancy classes that our hospital offered. After walking through our pregnancies together, it was really special to end up having our sons on the same day! Looks like we are going to be pregnant together again! I am just two weeks ahead of her! Having a baby in a foreign country can be very lonely, but I feel very blessed to have a special friend in the same town who is going through the same life-changing season, for the second time.

OUR BIG NEWS

WE ARE EXPANDING!
GUESS WHO IS GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER?

Yes, that is right! Kadin wants to announce to all of you that this November he will become a big brother!
Alice is almost 2 months pregnant!
Some of you who know us well might be counting back... yes, Alice did run a marathon pregnant (again)! Our doctor just smiled and shook his head when he realized that. He doesn't quite know what to do with this active American girl. But, he did say, "Whatever you are doing, keep it up!" He seems to think that being active is what has saved Alice from morning sickness. Whatever has spared us from the "green monster," we are VERY thankful!