6 weeks

Wow! Mariko is now six weeks old! I can't believe it!! I think I will always say that no matter how old, or young, she is :-)

Toshi's mom is here to help out last week and this week. It's been wonderful to have help again after two weeks of on our own. It was a strange adjustment since I had been used to doing everything on my own while Toshi was at work, but it's been wonderful, especially since she doesn't mind early mornings! Also, since Mariko has been sleeping more at night and doing so wonderfully gaining weight that we don't have to wake her up (7 pounds 5 ounces at last weeks checkup!), we are getting more sleep as well! Toshi does the shift until 2 (usually a (9:30 and 1:30am or so feedings). When he gest up for the later feeding I pump to make sure we have enough milk for the following feedings. I get up for the next one - usually around 4:30 and then pump again. After that Yoko takes over for the next one (usually around 7:30 or 8) and I sleep in while Toshi gets up for work.

Toshi's work days are still usually pretty short and he's nearing the end of his mammo requirement - 240 studies in 6 months - and his obligations at work will be even less once that's done. After that he will only be required to go to conference and will just go in to get studying done for boards. It has been incredible that his schedule has been so light since Mariko was born. It has made a huge difference in what our lives have been like these past six weeks. He was able to spend basically as much time as he wanted with her in the NICU and we were able to sleep in prior to going to see her. Since then he has been able to sleep in if needed and has been around in the afternoons and evenings to help out. I know that if I was breast feeding that I would pretty much be on my own for all of it anyway since he wouldn't be able to help with feedings (which I think will spoil me the next time around when I do need to do it all on my own - assuming breast feeding work) but it has been wonderful having him help and I look forward to that continuing!
Just got an email from Toshi at work - he's done with his mammo! YAY!

Yoko is here through Monday morning. We are then on our own for a week before Jeffrey comes on Monday evening. He'll be here through early Thursday. A quick trip but it will be wonderful to have him! After that about a week until dad comes to help with the week that Toshi is gone in New Jersey for his review course. Then it will be the middle of April - dad leaves the 13th. From there almost exactly two months until we move to Seattle. Our leave date is June 15th!! YAY! So excited about moving back home. It has been a long four years - with some great times and some not great times and we are so excited to get to move back to the West Coast where we feel we belong. Although we've made some great friends in NY it is not for us!! Ready to be back in Seattle!