Kai Monticello

Kai v. 2.0

2007-04-11T18:17:00.001+09:00

Kai has moved. The new home for the official Kai Blog is kaimm.wordpress.com. There is still some construction going on, but I hope you all enjoy the new look. As for this site, it will be used but less frequently, I have some ideas on how to keep this Blog still up and running, but basically the new site will be your source for the Kai Updates.

Anyway, get over to the new Blog v. 2.0, click around and let me know what you think.

Taker' Easy

Kai Want More

2007-04-02T01:42:00.000+09:00

If you want to see the rest of this post, and the rest of the other posts, just click on the "Kai want more" like below.I am in the process of editing the Kai Monticello Baby Blog Official Setup. Don't worry here I am not tinkering with any genes or anything, but I am thinking of making some changes to the website (OMG!) !!! (!!!!) Some of the possibilities include buying a domain, which i think is going to definitely happen, or just possibly moving to a more user-friendly site.

What I really want to do is make the blog easier for you all to check, and more ascetically pleasing. If there are any ideas you have, qualms with the setup as of now, or suggestions on how to make this Blog more interactive, please feel free to let me know. Also I have taken a page out of the book of Brian and decided to show the comments on the same page as whence they came. This definitely makes for a better community based blog, which is what I am shooting for. I mean if you take the time to write it, you might as well have it show up for everyone to read ("Am I wrong?!!" See Walter Sobchak).

Anyway, I am just letting you all know this is a work in progress, maybe you will sign on soon and see some big changes. I want you all to be informed so that if something looks strange it is probably just a temporary change, and if it isn't tell me to fix it up!

And yes Brian, Apple does Rock when it comes to putting websites together, it is a definite possibility that I might be joining you over there on the Made on Mac title

Kai Turns 19

2007-04-01T09:10:00.000+09:00

This weekend Kai made it to the big one, nine (in weeks of course). I can honestly say that he is changing dramatically now.

As of late he has be able to lift himself up when he is in his Magic Chair, kind of do a mini sit-up, and he is always trying to do it. Even when we place him on our new sweet couch, he still tries to sit up on his own. When we put him down on his back to play, within 5 minutes he will be facing 180 degrees in the other direction from all his squirming.

Also the other night he was playing with his toys, which are Velcroed to his chair, and wanted one so bad he ripped it clean off the pole. Basically what I am trying to say here, is that this kid is strong. I am fearing for my life when he gets mobile.

Kai has gotten a lot more receptive as well. He can hold his attention longer and likes to grab at everything, if only to check how it feels. I can tell he is trying to make sense of everything, me and Aya are just dying for a word to pop out. I am almost positive it is going to be Japanese, but if he says Mama it can be taken as bilingual (and a display of concern, not to offend either parent. I told you he was smart).

One last note, we picked up Kai's Japanese passport this week, so now if he chooses to be a double agent, he has that option. Look closely and you will see it: in one it say's Nationality: Japan, and in the other Nationality: USA. Basically we needed to have both of them, US and Nihon, when traveling cause it makes life a lot easier. We almost missed our flight to Hawaii because of passport problems, thank the lord we made it though.

I love the expression in the Japanese Passport: "It's my puppy dog face Dad!"

And the US

On the Bus Going Home

Playing on the New Couch

"I'm a ball of fun!"

What's so Funny?

2007-03-24T19:39:00.000+09:00

It was a funny day in the house, and Kai joined in on the Party.  We were just playing around (me and Kai), while Aya was in the shower.  He was really intent on trying to get the blanket I was dangling in front of his face, and loving every minute of it.

I thought this was absolutely hysterical and kept laughing at how happy the blanket was making him.  Then out of no where, Kai lets out a huge laugh.  I didn't even realize what he was doing at first, and then after a couple times it clicked: he was laughing along with me.

It was unreal, like Kai and I had shared a funny joke, and we both were laughing at it.  There was a mutual understanding that something was very funny, and it was an amazing connection.  This was the first time he laughed, and I wanted to catch it on video, but when I got back he had lost interest in the blanket.

Still this is a big step for the big guy, and next time he does it I will be sure to catch it on the vid.  Until then, I'll keep my eyes pealed for baby laughs.

"Ahhh...I forgot to buy the milk."

Baby Update @ 20:07

2007-03-16T20:03:00.000+09:00

Kai has been Vaccinated!  Today he received his 3 month shot to protect against the big T (aka Tuberculosis).  I wasn't able to go with Aya and Kai to the doctor's due to work, but she told me that he didn't even bat an Eye when he took the shot.  What can I say, kid's got good Jeans...I mean genes: takes after dad.
Also we had a weigh-in this past Wednesday, and Kai-chan is on track to be the biggest Monticello yet.  Coming in 7.01kgs (15.45lbs) and measuring 62cm (2ft), we are glad to see that he has leveled off a little bit, but still a healthy sack of potatoes.  The kid is so strong, he has no problem standing up and he is only 4 months old! No crazy camera tricks here folks, that's pure brute strength.
As for Aya and I, we'll be spending the next month catching up with her friends, and saying good-bye to some of my friends, due to the end of the school year here.  This gives me some time off and we are looking forward to our visit to the onsen soon. If all goes to plan, we should be relaxing in the mountains in about a month.
One last note, Kai will be making an Audition as a Baby Model in the near future, we just need to get the pictures out.  I think he's got the gig hands down, no?
--
The Dude Abides

Birthday Pics

2007-03-14T18:00:00.000+09:00

As promised, the pictures from Aya's birthday.

The Birthday Girls

What the??!?

Nicely Done

Good Friends

NES

2007-03-14T10:22:00.000+09:00

Famicom, or as you may know it in the US, the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), has made a recent reappearance at the Monticello household. Last weekend Aya and I saw this great piece of gaming hardware on sale for about $12, so we couldn't help ourselves.

Although she looks a little different from our US version, she still plays like a true NES. We thought this would be a great way to get Kai started on the hand-eye coordination thing, we'll let you know how that turns out.

All the games here are completly different. I mean there is like hundreds of games that were only made in Japan. I was able to find Mike Tyson's Punchout, but it was a little to expensive for my taste; it actually cost more than the NES, which was redicoulus. I did have to splurge for Mario-bros, cause when we find a minute, it never hurts to play a little Super Mario 3. For all you RBI fans out there, that is actually the Japanese equvilant of it, which is called Family Star (weird I know).

Happy Birthday Mom

2007-03-09T22:47:00.000+09:00

I almost forgot (to post, come'on give me some credit) to tell you all it was Aya's Birthday today, so a big congratulations to Mom!

Thank you so much for being such a wonderful wife and mother, and a filez complianos to you. Not sure how that translates into Japanese, but i think it's something like, Omedetto!!!

Anywho, we are off to a big birthday party celebration, which is combined with a lot of the March birthday people we know here in Japan, and Grandma and co will be in charge of the big K. Madness will undoubtedly ensue!

Pictures to come.

Uncle Brian

2007-03-09T09:22:00.000+09:00

Our dear friend Brian has recently found out he has Hodgkin's disease, but that is not what shocked us. It is his amazing outlook and determined will, which impressed us most.

Brian we know you are going to kick this things arsss and the whole Monticello Family will be with you through this journey. Kai is teaching me the Buddhist prayers now, and apparently they do wonders for those whom they are bestowed upon.

Consciousness is an ice pond:
Though it is all water,
It needs the energy of the sun to melt.

I invite you all to check out his blog, so you too can be inspired by his incredible perspective.

In the HI

2007-03-07T13:34:00.000+09:00

Life was good, life was really good.

Hawaii was all that we expected, and Aya and I have decided we could live there on Kai One Place, no problem. Only thing is, we need to find some jobs first. The trip started off with Aya getting hammered (on accident) after the waitress at the restaurant switched Aya's lemonade with an alcoholic one. That was a wonderful kickoff to the trip.

Following this there was many a vist to the beach and lots of other activities which were done. Dan and I decided to kayak out to some "bird sanctuary" where no birds were located, while Maria and Nina went to the very far away islands in the distance there. Job well done ladies, Dan and I could not make it that far.

Then there was the meet up with Charlie from LOST. That was pretty cool, and he actually saved my tail, cause we were running late to the restaurant/bar (when there are famous people around everyone is happy).
Of course we can't forget the picturesque scenery all over the islands, the crystal clear water and Pearl Harbor. I decided to go swimming at "Sandy Beach" later to realize that it was actually as dangerous as everyone said it was. The 12ft swells damn near killed me, but at least I hit some serious waves while I was there.

Finally there was the great times relaxing with our family and friends, and my noteworthy discussion about Global Warming with Danny B. Apparently he hasn't seen An Inconvenient Truth, but after I send him his free copy, he promises to sport the "I'm sorry, I was wrong about Global Warming" bumper sticker on his whip. Until then, I will keep fighting the good fight.

Check out Flickr Show for all the new pictures. Lots are labeled and if you want a sweet Kai in Hawaii poster, let me know.

"Hey-ah, where's the closest toilet guy?"

The 131

2007-02-23T17:24:00.000+09:00

Just a little something before we leave; I put up the pics, 131 of them, from the last couple weeks. So head on over to the slide show to give Kai a good look before he picks up his Cute Baby Tan.

The people in this photo set include: Kai (dauhhh), Mom and Dad, Nabechi and Kae (Two of Aya's close friends), Rachel (co-JET participant), and Sora-chan (co-JET Bill's daughter).

Take'er easy.

Sionara (just for a week)

2007-02-22T21:30:00.000+09:00

Well, this might be the last chance for me to put up a post, but you get to look forward to all the great pictures and good stories from our trip. Aya wants to go shopping for about 23hrs in the afternoons, as for me well, I am thinking beach, beer, bed. Okay no that is not all, there is also the WWII memorial, the beautiful scenery, and of course, my first chance to go surfing!

If there is a chance, I will throw up some pictures on the blog while we are there. Otherwise expect to hear back in about a week.

p<(*?*)>p

(In our spare time, Kai and I practiced our Lion King Impersonations as we get ready for the presentation on the Summit).

Ohiyo-gozaimus

Hawaii Here We Come

2007-02-20T13:39:00.000+09:00

Well, school is winding down for me, and Aya, Kai and I are off to the Isles of HI.

We will have a week of relaxation in paradise, with our family and friends. In case you didn't hear, my parents, the Robilottos, the Fitzsimmons, and the Bodkins (Nina, aren't you and Dan engaged yet?) will all make the trip out to see Baby Kai. This will be Kai's first trip in an Airplane, and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that he enjoys it so much, he happily falls asleep.

The vacation starts Saturday the 24th and Aya and I can not wait. Kai is also looking forward to the masses just waiting to gawk over him. By this time he is used to it; every time Aya takes him out to the store the other mothers just won't let her be. All she hears is Kawaiiiiiiii (not Spanish) from all the other women.

Lastly I will leave you with some recent pictures of the little guy, man is he getting big.

Hungry

Talking

Chillaxin'

"It's a Chopper Baby"

Walkin'

Kisses from Mom

Big Boy

Dance Party US+J

2007-02-11T23:16:00.000+09:00

I hope you all enjoy this one as much as we did.

The Times, they're a Changin'

2007-02-09T11:49:00.000+09:00

From Birth to the Present, here's a little look at how Kute Kai has been chaining...

Nov. 18: Birthday! Written as 18.11.18 in Japan (Using the Japanese Emperor System for Years)

Nov. 23

Dec. 2

Dec. 9

Dec. 17

Dec. 24

Jan. 10

Jan. 15

Jan. 24

Today: Feb. 9

He sure has changed a lot. But who does he look like: Mommy or Daddy?

And I do promise that video is coming; just puting the finishing touches on it now.

Billy Jean: Part II in da works

2007-02-07T11:35:00.000+09:00

A new video is in the works, down here at the Monticello Lab. Things have been busy with school and keeping Big Baby Kai happy, so sorry about the time lapsed blogging.

I really would like to post more, but as of late there hasn't been much time to get it done. I will have a nice break from school coming up, so we all can look forward to more regular updates.

Check back soon for the Live Dance Action (no still photos here)!

Stones, Miles Stones

2007-01-31T19:37:00.000+09:00

Lately Kai has been keeping us busy with all his new moves. First off, he now knows he has hands. This is a big milestone for the little guy; we can now entertain him with toys and even things that aren't toys (but he enjoys it all the same). The most recent display of this new power is Kai wielding a plasma sword into a wizard (at least that is what I thought upon viewing this image). As you can see, he has the look of an early Muhammad Ali, or maybe a Foreman: a warrior to say the least.

The other big milestone we encountered recently was the baby-pushup. Kai busted this one out late last week, and has never looked back since. When laid on the ground, he can lift his body up and hold his (massive) noggin at a 45 degree angle.

He even was able to throw in a little Hip-check, just to show off for all the kids back home.

Going along with this growing up theme, we had to move Kai from the New Born diapers to the next size up (the 5kg max to the 4-8kg-ers). Even though Kai is probably about 6.5kgs (14.33 lbs for all you non-metric fans), he still can pack a good punch. Please read on...

Bear with me here, I've had this picture for a while and always thought of it as a forshadowing, maybe even a reckoning for the pain I caused in my early years. But after looking at this picture it's plain as day, there is a little devil in there somewhere.

Lastly, to bring us back on track, we can see the obvious angel as plain as day.

"Gifted" you surely are.

Much thanks to my wonderful wife Aya, who took a lot of the pictures you have seen recently, more to come soon.

Back in Black

2007-01-24T20:56:00.000+09:00

That fresh egg yeller is to damn rare,
but the white part is good, for slickin' down yer hair.
                 -Tom Waits

Well first off I have to apologize to all the readers out there.  Two weeks is too long to be misinformed about Kai.

I do have an excuse though, if you could be so nice to entertain the idea: we were busy > being really loving parents.  It's hard to get mad now huh?  Well there was a movie or two in there somewhere, but only after nine, when the little one was sleeping and Aya and I were exhausted (this parenting stuff is not for the weak of heart).

Anyway, Kai is bigger than life, weighing in at probably 6.3 kg, or pushing 14 EL BEES (aka lbs).  Right now we have him wearing outfits that max out for a 9mth old baby, with only an inch or two two spare (Kai is only 9 weeks old).  Needless to say, he's a big boy.

Also during the hiatus, we took a lot of pictures (151 to be exact), so I will just get right to it.  Hope you all can find in your hearts to forgive us; don't you worry, Kai-chan isn't going anywhere.

Here are some of my faviortes. The rest will be on Flickr (Sorry there was no time to label all the photos.)

Blue with a hint of Green

Directing Traffic

NASA: What's That?!?!

Yakuza

The Sleeper hold: I can't breath!

Grins

And Smiles

Thank you Nocciolinos!

Like None Other

2007-01-10T23:43:00.000+09:00

I Guess I shoulda named him, Michael J. Kai. Who knew?

Check out Billy Jean for the still pictures.

Big Baby Update

2007-01-04T19:45:00.000+09:00

A lot has happened in the past week.

First off, my brother Nick is staying with us, and we have managed to find some time to get out, and explore the city.  We celebrated his birthday on the 3rd, and went out for some drinks the night before.


Besides that things have been busy, especially with Kai.  Recently he has started to cooo and owwwwhhh  a lot more, which is so much fun to watch.  Me and him chat about what sports he will play when he is older and mom has to make sure the activities aren't to dangerous of course.  I think American football is out of the question, even though he is gonna be a big boy.

Aya recently weighed Kai and he came in at 12.75lbs or 5.8kgs, in 6 and a half weeks.  My mom told me that is what I weighed when I was probably 6 months old.  Anyway, the little guy sure has a good idea of what is going on.  Take this picture for example, there is no denying he's a smart little baby.

P.S. Thank you Nina for the wonderful bib.

The Magic Chair

2006-12-29T12:30:00.000+09:00

This chair came from on high, and descended to the mortals to ease their baby pains.

That is right this thing probably is the best invention, hands down.  Whenever we have a crying baby on our hands, we simply place him in the magic chair and gently rock him off to sleep.  It works every time, and to this day its precision still amazes me.

B.C. (Before the Chair) there were long crying episodes, sore arms, and tired parents.  Now we have a much easier time eating dinner with a peaceful baby and even watching a movie if were lucky.  All in all I think it depends on the baby. That being said, it is easy to see that Kai is a really good kid.  He is easy going, doesn't want to much, very content with some milk, and let's you know when he needs his Magic Chair.

This great piece of baby equipment was a good solid buy, and is something that we can't live without from now on.

Kai goes Golden

2006-12-26T23:04:00.001+09:00

Bath Time I
Originally uploaded by amontice.

Baby Kai loves bath time, and I love to take pictures of him in the bath.

Not only does he make the best faces, but you can even get some pretty sweet hair dos out of the tub. I think this one is best stated as, "King Cut."

Tough Guy Christmas

2006-12-25T22:45:00.001+09:00

A recent photo-shoot in the Monticello household produced some fine pictures. Fit with holiday vigor, the Boys are looking healthy and ready to wreck that Christmas turkey.

Well done Nick, Nice Form.

Merry Christmas *with baby love

2006-12-24T20:11:00.000+09:00

Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, have a happy New Year!

It's all there written on the newborn's face. Kai sends his best from Japan, and to all a good night.

Kai Kalendar

2006-12-23T23:19:00.000+09:00

For all of you out there on the Kai Calendar, you will already know this when I say it, but I am going to go ahead and say it anyway: today we are 5 weeks old!

That's right, Kai is 5wks and going strong. And in honor of the big guy's achievement, we have a live (and I do mean live here, as this video was taken this evening) video of Kai-chan giving his acceptance speech. If you listen closely you will hear him tell you, very clearly, "One: I am cuter than you," and, "Two: I am cuter than you, when you were as big as me."

The latter might be a stretch, but I think we can all agree on the former. We'll I won't keep you any longer.

Enjoy the show.