Hello again, I'm taking over as Chief Blogger for now. Chris is soooo busy at work and putting in some crazy hours so I'm going to keep you updated!

I had a busy day. Once Sarah was at school I quickly tried to do the normal morning clean up, have a shower and get ready for the day. This usually all happens while Ronan has a nice 2 hour nap. You can imagine how the wheels fall off when he decides one hour is enough. I'm just not ready, and I feel a bit behind the rest of the day! I had a whole list so once I was semi-decent we jumped on my bike - pictures to follow (finally) - and headed into our little shopping street, Azabu-Juban. First stop was the florist. We've become regulars there and get rewarded with things like free Halloween pumpkins for Sarah in our delivery. Today I was taking the plants we bought for the bathrooms, and the pots I had back to Yoko so she could plant them and make them look nice. Bought a couple more things and then got back on my bike knowing that they would all be delivered to our apartment later. Next stop the Drugstore to get Ronan's nappies and Formula. The pharmacist knows me now and knows what I need there. He slips a little toy in the bag for the kids. Then to Food Magazine to draw some cash from the only ATM I know of around here that accepts my card. Then a long ride, with a quick stop at the 100 yen store - no purchases there today - then on to Gymboree. This is a playgym venue where I have enrolled Ronan and I for mom and baby classes once a week. I took him last week and can't believe how much he loved it. They have a room full of climbing apparatus and he was off like a shot. He couldn't get enough. Our class is tomorrow but I had to get my membership forms in. Then back on the bike and home for lunch and a long nap! Ronan, that is. I had a call from Carole (she's been helping me with some cleaning and babysitting), to say she couldn't come to do the housework today. I, of course, had been saving up the dirt for the last few days thinking she was coming. So the rest of my day was spent cleaning. Not so fun but it is rewarding. The house looks so nice now, I wish you could all see it, I'm very proud of our home!

It's peaceful here right now. The children are both sleeping. They are very chaotic when awake. They're lots of fun but a huge amount of work. Ronan is starting to drive Sarah mad. He really just loves her so much and wants to play with everything she has but unfortunately his way of playing is to rip her art and break down her block tower. She gets so mad with him she literally roars at him and then there are tears all around. I feel like a referee! But then I look again and she's chasing him around and they're shrieking with laughter. I guess it's a good balance. Ronan is so close to walking on his own. He walks all over now with one hand on something just to feel secure. It's very sweet to see my baby up and about. He's also starting to say a few words, "Mama, no and bye". He makes us laugh all the time, and loves the attention. When we say 'no' to him he smiles a cheeky smile at us and shakes his head. His favourite thing at the moment is to put everything on his head. He got hold of the laundry I'd been folding this morning and by the time I got to him he had two pairs of panties draped around his neck! Sorry, no photo of that ;) He's a very affectionate, cuddly little boy too. He rolls around on the carpet a lot and if we get down too he comes charging over like a puppy and lies on us. Maybe he just wants to be a wrestler! Sarah is my little Princess. She's a mini-mom to Ronan and listening to her is a very good indication of what I sound like. When did I turn into someone who says all the things my mom always used to say???? She is starting to speak with an American accent, she's picking it up from her teacher and schoolfriends. I have to giggle when I hear her count and sing her songs sounding just like a little American. She even corrects my pronunciation when I sing the words the good old SA way???!!! She's getting so big too. I've had to buy her a whole lot of clothes because all of a sudden hers weren't fitting!

Life here is good. It's very different to what we're used to and we've had to totally change our expectations of day to day life. Our priorities have shifted and we spend so much more time than ever before doing things together, and doing interesting things. It's amazing how enjoyable it is to play in a park and have an ice-cream together on a public holiday. I have my days, I really can't say I don't. I'm not homesick, my home is where my heart is, with my 3 favourite people. But I do miss my family and my friends. It helps a lot having trips planned to see them, and the time is really flying by so it's never a long wait, but it's not the same when you can't just pop in for half a cup of tea or drive out to do some shopping together. I'm relying heavily on special friends I've made here when I have those days and I think on the whole we're all doing fine. We're in the same boat and all feel the same way. I'd been told how close an expat community is but now I can really see it. I never ride anywhere without bumping into someone I know and the genuine friendliness is so warm and welcoming it's hard to feel lonely. Of course keeping in touch with all of you is a huge help so stick around!

Chris and I have our cultural training this week and we start Japanese lessons next week. I can't wait! I wish I could just magic this language into my head but clearly some teaching is needed. We've picked up a little but it's not a vocab that sticks on the tongue easily. I've had a couple of flustered moments, directing taxi drivers is never that easy and I have told one repeatedly 'good morning' instead of 'thank you' and only realised when I got out what I was doing. This was a minor slip up, I'm sure there will be worse to come.

Right, you'll all be calling for Chris to come back if I don't shut up and post some photos now!