With the cherry blossoms blooming and our baby just 1 week old, it was time to do a newborn photoshoot. I found a photographer who could take advantage of the cherry blossoms and take Japanese style photos!

These first photos were the ones I took of us in the park.

The photographer said it’ll take about one month for her to properly edit all the photos she took but here’s some preliminaries!

Of all the photos she took, this next one was my favorite!

Sakura Yabusame is the combination of traditional Japanese houseback archery with beautiful rows of cherry blossom trees in Towada City.

The sakura (cherry blossoms) are blooming right after Forrest is born. This was Forrest’s first outing, and he slept through the whole thing!

Finally, it’s time to take Forrest home.

Pior Forrest got a fever in the hospital. He needed antibiotics but he got through it like a champ.

We are learning the puzzle that is Forrest. I’ve been learning new skills like how to change a diaper, swaddling, keeping a baby warm, and how to console a baby.

Today is exhausting. Just so sleepy all day. Last night the crying woke me up. He’s not fussy but he does have a pretty loud cry and he is very expressive. It was very hard to wake up because I was so tired. Thank goodness for the nurse and Leanne.

My friends all came to celebrate my birthday and Amber Passey got me a birthday cake from Neeko Cakes. I feel so loved. Everyone really cares for us and our baby.

Leanne got the breastfeeding down, no problem. She’s a natural mom.

We went to the hospital for a check-up after work. Leanne was a bit nervous.

After the check up, they said you have the evening but come back within a couple hours for induction. It’s time for this baby to come out!

I tried to be cool and collected but I was freaking out. I thought we had more time! At least a week more! But the baby couldn’t wait. We quickly ate, packed our bags into the car, made sure the car-seat was installed and ready to go, and headed to the hospital.

Labor didn’t take nearly as long as we thought. Leanne was such a trooper through the whole thing and was tougher than I could ever imagine. After only 20 hours of labor, baby was born!

We knew almost right away when we saw him that his name was Forrest. Now time for his birth story! While Leanne was having contractions and pushing, we had a playlist ready to go with such hits as “I Want To Break Free” by Queen, “Push It” by Salt-N-Peppa, “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross, and “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani. We were all dancing to the music between pushes, even the midwife and her nurses! Baby Forrest was born to “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga.

I was on the right side of Leanne, a nurse was on the left, and the midwife was directly in front of Leanne being the only one fully gowned. When the baby came out, guess who got completely sprayed! Like a targeted missile, baby Forrest aimed everything directly at his dad! Leanne gave a giggle. The midwife’s gown remained completely spotless.

Forrest’s Dadimaa came all the way from Florida to Japan and made it just in time!

When Forrest was born, I couldn’t help but have a tear in my eyes when I first saw him. We made him, and he is so precious. I love him already. Leanne did skin to skin and breastfeeding during the golden hour and I did skin to skin too. I think it really helped with bonding. He has a full head of hair just like dad!

Every sound he makes is so beautiful and I love him so much. I can’t wait to get to know him. I can’t believe I’m his dad.

This year’s winter was mild with relatively little snowfall, resulting in less than ideal skiing conditions. However, I took advantage of a recent snowfall and made the most of the situation.

While I went skiing in Hachimantai, Leanne went on her own hiking adventure nearby.

In other news, Leanne is now 31 weeks! If you have suggestions for boy names, give them now! Seeing the baby move around in the belly is.. weird, but also really cool.