Back to Normal

Loads of fresh powder, crispy cold temps, gorgeous blue skies - what a perfect day to get back on my skis.

I have been apprehensive about this day for awhile for a few reasons. The post pregnancy body is still not "mine" and it has been enjoying days of lounging at home with the baby. Not especially good for pre-season training! It is also hard to leave the little guy behind, not only logistically, but emotionally too. Oh I know it's good for me to get away and do things for myself, but Kenzo is just so adorable and fun and entertaining these days.

Thanks for the turns, Fran - what a great morning! I feel almost back to normal again :)

First Trip for Kenzo

Kenzo and I ventured off last week to Portland, Oregon to visit family and friends. This is us at the start of the trip at the Reno Airport. Note the slot machines in the background.











Kenzo relaxing with Jiji at home...

















Being held by cousin Maya. Too bad we'll miss her 5th birthday party in January!
















Naomi loved holding Kenzo and she even cried a little when we left. Don't worry, you'll see each other again soon!












We got to spend a little time with Sumiko, Daren, Kaz & Nikko too!

Three Months Old!

Three months old!













Such a happy kid...the only time he fusses is when he's hungry or tired. He loves "talking" to his friends and toys and us too. He weighed in at 12 lbs. 6 oz. this morning.











Kenzo and I have been going to a breast feeding "class" once a week in Truckee since he was born. Kenzo gets weighed, I get to chat with other moms, and also get to check in with the amazing nurse, Cindy, on other subjects too. This is one of his friends from the class, Caylin...can you say future girlfriend?

Squaw Family

With epic early season conditions, it's time to head back to work at Squaw! Although I am excited to be back on the mountain and on my skis, I have an enormous amount of hesitation and guilt as I leave little Kenzo behind. For the first time in my life, I'm NOT in a rush to be out on the hill, but rather so happy to be home with my little dude.
Yesterday and today was spent getting paperwork in order, uniform fitted, and organizing my ski locker. Not an easy task with a little one in tow. Luckily the Squaw family was there to help and hold :) Kenzo got to visit with...








Fran and El, my co-leaders of Squaw's WOW program...













Sheryl our administrative supervisor extraordinaire...

















Pat, leader of Squaw's JFW program...

















and Mo, long time instructor friend who I've known since my days at Alpine.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving weekend, Tahoe style, brought friends, family, and snow! We were hit with a whopper of a snowstorm and super cold temps. What a great start to the winter season!

Eric spent a lot of time clearing the back deck and pathways....













We got a visit from Bert on his nationwide travel tour...

















Takemi came up to spend Thanksgiving with his favorite and cutest nephew...











And we enjoyed a traditional Thankgiving dinner with all the fixings...oh, but we do Japanese gohan instead of mashed potatoes!

We are very thankful for the support and love from our family and friends with the arrival of Kenzo!

Week 10

Kenzo is a smiling, cooing, alert little guy! He is keeping us laughing at his many happy faces. Weighing in at 11 lbs. 9 oz. today - nice!











We got together with Anne Marie for a little "coffee talk" at the Tahoe House - the best coffee on the lake! Thanks for the snow suits for Kenzo...it was great to catch up with you, AM!
















Jen and the twins hung out one morning... It has been so nice to have the Grensides living in Tahoe for the winter season! Kenzo, Lola, and Max are now starting to smile at each other, which is just adorable.











Tom and Janet stopped by before their weekly date-night-slash-volleyball-game. Ah, to be tall and athletic... Thanks for making the trek from Glenshire to Homewood!













Our big surprise was when Michelle, Ava, and Maggie made a quick trip up to Tahoe to meet Kenzo this week! He loved cooing and staring at the girls - he was definitely smitten. Thanks for coming up (from Santa Cruz!) girls...it was great having you over!

Two Months Old!

Two months old!








Kenzo's first Halloween on Sunday was fun. We got him into his Homewood Bear outfit (thanks Fran!) and headed to Tahoe City for some socializing.









We met the Grenside family at the Boatworks Mall & saw lots of other friends there too. The kids all loved the Halloween buzz going on around them, even though they're many months away from chomping on candy.







Dave stopped by to meet Kenzo last week - thanks for coming over!

Hella Cute!

Okay, so I haven't lived in Oakland in a long time. In fact, I've lived in Tahoe longer than I have lived anywhere else. But thanks to friends Sam & Delia, Kenzo knows where his mommy will always consider her "home!

And, I'm 40+ years old and still find myself using the slang words of my 14 year old days. East Bay upbringing and pride never dies, baby!

The dude weighed in at 10 lbs. 10 oz. today and shows no sign of slowing down! Hella cute.

Family

On the day Grandma and Jiji were scheduled to leave Tahoe, Kinya was admitted into Tahoe Forest Hospital with pneumonia! He's resting and recovering in Truckee now, and Grandma is enjoying her extended stay with Kenzo.

Uncle Takemi made a quick trip up to see dad in the hospital and to meet his nephew. Thanks for the Japanese groceries, Tak!


















The Matises grandparents and Uncle Brant were out from New York to soak in some sunshine and visit Kenzo. Grandma Lynn got to feed Kenzo a bottle and witness his eating abilities...he weighed in at a whopping 9 1/2 pounds this week!


We are looking forward to introducing Kenzo to more of our family members soon!

Week 5 Highlights

Congratulations, Caroline and Brian! A beautiful Sunday morning at Sunnyside was the perfect backdrop for our friends wedding celebration. It was a sentimental ceremony with the inclusion of Brian's daughter, Alicia. Kenzo enjoyed his first "formal" event, soaking in all the attention from friends and other guests! What a great afternoon - we're so happy for you guys!






Grandma and Jiji are in Tahoe!! The Portland grandparents have been a huge help with Kenzo....in fact, their visit was timed perfectly with Caroline & Brian's wedding. I was able to work on the flowers for the wedding, knowing that Kenzo was in good hands with his grandparents. Jiji thinks that Kenzo is "perfect." He's been very alert and mellow for them, something that is appreciated and enjoyed by visitors! They have both given the dude a few bottles, giving mom a much needed break. It's been great having the Tsuruta grandparents around and Kenzo will certainly miss their warm laps and shoulders when they leave.

One Month Old!

One month old today!





Auntie Kara is here for the weekend and has been a big help with Kenzo. It's been great having an extra pair of experienced hands around.




Kenzo loved his bath today and is looking forward to a real onsen experience in Japan soon.






We had Jen, Nick, Lola & Max over for dinner tonight with lots of laughs over new parenthood dramas....good comedic relief!

Gentlemen (and babies) prefer blondes!

Kenzo already knows how to charm the ladies! He gazed at Hilary the whole time she came to visit and kept her under his spell.










At the breast feeding class in Truckee, Claudia popped in to say "HI" and chat with Kenzo today. Again lots of gazing and cooing...from both the holder and holdee!















I'm holding miss Lola Grenside in the photo. Jen rocked the class as she easily wrestled both Lola and Max for a nursing session. I guess us with just one little person have nothing to complain about after seeing that!















Today marks four weeks for little Kenzo, who is far from little anymore. Weighing in at 8 pounds, 2+ ounces today and just about out of his newborn sized clothes and diapers. Egads - where does the time go?!

3 weeks

You all were right...it goes so quickly. We are in week three with Kenzo and can't believe how much he's grown and changed already, almost right before our eyes. Chubby cheeks and a double chin are all good when you're three weeks old, eh?

Last week we had more visitors for Kenzo: The Bell family (and Duke), Dannielle (with yummy enchiladas), Fran (speaking Japanese to Kenzo), and The Grenside Family. 3-month-olds Max and Lola have not been awake at the same time as Kenzo yet, but the three are soon to be BFF's! We are so happy to have Jen and Nick living in Tahoe for the winter and to have other new parents to commiserate with ;)