Egypt Day at School

The annual Egypt Day was held on Friday where the children took part in various activities to learn more about Egyptians in their history curriculum. The kids also learned to write their names in hieroglyphics. Everyone had to come dressed in an ancient Egyptian style costume. Some kids where dressed as egyptian queens, pharaohs, King Tuts, King Ramses and mummies.

The ancient Eygptian style lunch banquet were food eaten during Egypt days, including meat stew with pita bread as the main meal, hummus, couscous, vegetables, figs and grapes.

It was an eventful day for Justin. He enjoyed his Egyptian feast and was happy to win the best dressed costume for his class. Some of his friends' costumes were more elaborate than his but the teachers probably saw the effort of making a costume instead of purchasing from a store. Thanks to Papa, we managed to get the costume done even with the baby arriving four days before. Papa had to finish up the headband, Egyptian collar and stitch the cloth with Justin.

Trying on his costume

The bracelets he was trying were made from used toilet rolls. The Egyptian patterns were found from the web and coloured in gold.

Justin in his costume

His prize for the best dressed costume was "The World Almanac for Kids 2011".

We had an fun time learning about Egypt together. A good resource is the Magic Tree House's research guide on "Mummies and Pyramids" which gave many interesting facts together with photos and illustrations.

Arrival of Baby Sister

Our baby girl arrived unexpectedly at 34 weeks, one and a half month earlier than her due date. She was proudly delivered by Papa at our home in Japan. It has been an overwhelming week for all of us. Firstly, I didn't expect her to be here so early. Secondly, the idea of having an unplanned / unassisted home birth wasn't exactly what I had in mind. My previous two labours went extremely fast, took about 40mins and 20mins. I knew this was going to be a quick one again but not quite the birth plan I had in mind.

I was admitted to the hospital for bleeding and contractions two days before her birth. The doctor put me on medication to stop the contractions and an injection to mature the baby's lungs. An extra day the baby stayed in the womb, the better the chance that the baby will have a healthy start. The medication would take two days to achieve its full effect. Meanwhile, I had to stay in the hospital on bedrest.

On Monday evening, I was allowed to go back home to continue my bedrest. However I started to feel painful cramps during dinner. Papa helped me to the bed to rest. The contractions started coming fast, each one lasted for a minute in every 5 to 10 minutes interval. After 20 minutes, I knew we had to head for the hospital which was half an hour's drive away. I had a sudden urge to go to the toilet. My water bag burst when I sat down. The next second, I felt her head crowning. I couldn't believe what happened. I still remember telling Papa, "I need to get to the hospital, NO WAY am I going to have the baby here! I need a doctor! Help!" But it was too late. Baby's head was out, Papa said I had to push. "OMG!!!" He grabbed all the towels he could get his hands on. In a few minutes, the baby was out. Papa described how she "shot out like an eel" into his arms. He wrapped her in a towel to keep her warm and put her on my chest. I put my finger to open her mouth to make sure her air passage was clear. She cried a little and I was relieved.

The ambulance came in ten minutes, paramedics clamped and cut the baby's umbilical cord. I am truely amazed by the efficiency of the emergency service in Japan. One fire engine and two ambulances were parked outside, almost blocking the road. Eight men in uniforms suddenly coming into the house. My two boys were a little confused. They knew that their baby sister had arrived, but teared when they saw the paramedics carry me and the baby away. "Where is mummy going?" Papa explained to the boys later.

Carol rushed over and accompanied me to the hospital . (Thank you so much!) It's difficult with the language barrier and both of us felt safer with someone who can speak Japanese.

Cheryl is in neonatal ICU because she was born premature. She expected to stay in the hospital for about a month. She is feeding well and gaining weight each day. All of us are looking forward to the day she can come home. Will update more.

Jonathan's Drawing

Family photo

Jonathan's drawing of his family from school. Papa, Justin and him playing soccer while mummy watches with an umbrella!