Schu-letz-tzu Update

Sunday Funday

And....we're back in Japan with the Carp for our fourth year. I think I have failed to mention in the past that everything here in Japan is pronounced with 3 syllables, ALWAYS! So, what used to be Schultz, 1 syllable, is actually pronounced Schu-letz-tzu, with 3 syllables. This is not all, people, in order for our English to be understood here, you must also add an "o" sound at the end of everything. So, what used to be hamburger, is now hamburgo, city is now citeo, left is now lefto, and so forth. I have come to terms with the changes, but my kids are just utterly confused.

Now, English is definitely their first and most prominent language, however, they also know Spanish, Hebrew, and bits of Japanese. I am hoping this will all be a learning experience for them, but, the words are often mixed when speaking. Yesterday, Jordyn (who speaks with a Japanese accent by the way) asked me for a snacko, por favor and rambled on and on in what I think was Japanese. Jake who pronounces the Japanese baseball players' names better than they do, can count in all the languages, randomly choosing which one to count in: ichi, ni, tres, four, cinco, shesh, hach, eight, etc. Zoe is just learning to speak, so I am hoping I can keep her on the English track.

Jordy the goof ball!

So, here we are, same apartment, same school, and same Starbucks. Jake and Jordyn are now the eldest in their school, and love having their friends in Japan back. Zoe just started going to the YMCA a few days ago, and absolutely loves it. After the first day of school, the teachers' observation was that Zoe will be great in class and has no problem eating. That's my girl! We have some new American families here with us this year, and we love them. There are 10 kids between our 4 families, so we are always busy!

The weather just started getting warm, which means the frizz will make its debut soon, and the rain has made plenty of appearances. It is such a different mind set having to walk everywhere, but luckily for me, I can use this as my "exercise". Mike's team is doing well, which makes playing a lot more fun! We aren't expecting too many visitors this year, but if you're interested in coming, Zoe's got some room in her crib!

She is definitely up to something!

Dinner at our favorite Mexican joint

I had to document this!

This kid eats, breathes, and dreams, baseball!

Riding the streetcar with my angel

I know this has been more of a lesson on Japanese language and culture, but hey, you would have never known that 3 syllables is a must and the letter "o" has never been more important!

Sayonara, Shalom, Adios, and Goodbye....for now!

Off Season So Far

Wow, I didn't realize it's been nearly 4 months since my last update. We've been having too much fun being parents of 3! Thanks to all of our parents' help, Mike and I escaped to Mexico for a nice, adults only, fun-filled, much-needed vacation. It was really nice to spend some time with Mike without stopping to wipe someone, change a diaper, or feed someone other than ourselves.




We have been keeping busy figuring out our lives, and of course, nothing has been figured out yet. However, Mike did receive another contract with the Hiroshima Carp and we will be going back to Japan for next season. Mike will be leaving at some point in January, and the kids and I will follow in March sometime. We are very blessed to be with the same team for nearly 4 seasons and hope this next year brings even more success!




The kids are doing amazing! Jordyn is loving her dance class and doing very well with school and her extra curricular activities. She has a puppet class on Mondays, a sports class on Wednesday, and cooks her heart away on Fridays. Jordyn has been working real hard on her writing and loves drawing pictures for everyone she knows.




Jake has been studly with his 2 sports this season. He plays basketball on Saturdays and baseball on Sundays. Unfortunately this is the last week for both, but we will find something to ease his sports addiction. Jake loves going to school, but loves practicing his math even more.




Zoe is growing like crazy and still in the 90th percentile for weight, and off the charts for height. I am pretty sure she doesn't take after me in the height department. She is singing constantly and rolling everywhere. She will occasionally scoot herself across the floor, but prefers to roll! She is so happy and truly lights up the room.




We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Oh Where, oh where can the Schultz's be?

Wow, I can't believe I haven't written in forever....sorry, time has flown by! Well, by now most of you know we are in LA while Mike is rehabbing from his back surgery. He had it done almost 6 weeks ago, fixing a herniated disc, and removing a cyst from the same area. We are all so relieved that he is doing great, moving around, and seeing a physical therapist to get him back into his baseball regime. He is slated to return to Japan early September sometime, and will then come back home near the beginning of October. The kids and I are staying put for a while!

Jake and Jordyn are going into Pre-K this year, and will be graduating pre-school next June. We didn't want them to miss their pre-school graduation, so we won't be heading to Japan or wherever Mike is next season until June sometime. We will then come back to LA early September so that my sweet, almost, 5 year olds will be starting Kindergarten. Holy Moly! I honestly cannot express my adoration for those 2 kids. It is an honor to be their mom, and every day they surprise me with new things. They are always going on playdates, and I have to tell you, it is one thing for people to tell me how cute they are, but it is another thing, for people to tell me how well mannered they are. That means more to Mike and I than anything.

Jake is excited to play T-ball, basketball, soccer, and take karate in the fall. He tells everyone he meets what sports he will be doing. He is so unbelievably smart as well; the things that this kids comes up with just baffles me. The other day he asked me what was under the street. It took me a moment to think of an answer but waited for him to tell me what he thought instead. How on earth does he think of these things? Jake is also very aware of both his sisters. He just adores Zoe and loves to make her laugh. Jordyn is his best friend and it is just the sweetest thing to see. They rely on each other, warn each other about EVERYTHING, and love each other so much!



Jordyn is also doing wonderful. She is my Little Mermaid. She is swimming up a storm, and no pool is too deep for her to "dive" in and get her princess diving sticks. She is really into drawing and writing new words, so we are always playing the spelling game. Our walls are full of gorgeous artwork that Jordy has given us. :) In the fall, she will also be doing soccer, but enjoying ballet and dance as well. The girl is hilarious and makes Mike and I laugh on a daily/constant basis. She is loving being a big sister and is a humongous help with Zoe.

Zoe is fantastic. With the exception of her recent sleep habits, she is a wonderful baby. She will be 6 months old tomorrow and is one of the happiest babies I have ever seen. She is always smiling and can watch her big sis and big bro for hours on end. She is just about sitting up on her own and eating everything given to her. She is a big girl, and we just adore munching on her rolls and thunder thighs! It is amazing what pleasure she has brought into our lives. We have had one crazy and hectic year, and yet nothing seems terrible when we look at our little girl!

Well, that is one heck of a long update. We will be in LA for a while, so some stability is nice. I will definitely try and update a little more often! Take care!

The First Smile

It truly melts your heart when your child smiles for the first time. I remember like it was yesterday when Jake and Jordyn did it, and now, this will forever be in my memory bank. The difference this time, is that Mike is not around to see it. So, for him, I posted this little video of Zoe smiling. I hope that my child continues to smile forever and follow in her sister and brother's footsteps, because they sure do have a lot to smile about!!!

We're Now 5!

Zoe Brooklyn Schultz was born on January 26th, 2010 and we are so very happy to welcome her to our family. It has been one heck of a ride since her arrival, but thankfully everyone is healthy and that is the most important thing. Mike left about 2 weeks after she was born, and we are all missing him so very much. He is doing well in Japan and awaiting our arrival. We just booked our tickets and will be heading to Hiroshima on March 22nd. It seems like forever, but there is so very much to prepare for before leaving. I am obviously very overwhelmed and truly give credit to those raising kids on their own. I am so lucky to have the amazing 3 that I have, but I'm not going to lie, it's hard!

Zoe is nearly a month old and such a great baby. I think she is teaching me what it means to be calm and content, because she is like that all the time. She is long and lean at the moment, nearly the 80th percentile in height (wonder where she gets that from) and only the 35th percentile in weight. Jake and Jordyn love having a little sister and try to help in every possible way, except when she's crying!

Pajama & Crazy Hair Day at School

Both Jake and Jordyn are playing T-ball right now and absolutely love it. They are still swimming and Jordy still loves her ballet class. They have been so amazing during this transition and are such a pleasure to be around. Seems silly, but it was definitely easy with twin 4 year olds. Now, we have our work cut out for us!

It's almost time!

Well, it's been quite a while since I last blogged our life, and to be honest, it might be a while that I do it again. SHE'S COMING! We have just about a week left before our sweet girl arrives into our lives. We are so excited and have been preparing for such a while now. The stinky part of it all is that Mike will be leaving on February 13th, just a couple weeks after the birth. The kids and I will be joining him when the baby is healthy enough to fly and I am feeling up to a long day of travel with 3 kids! 3 kids! I still can't believe I am going to be saying that! Anyway, we have had a couple of months of complete fun and chaos at the same time. There are lots of pictures, so enjoy!
37 Weeks

My Future Artists

My family has been dealing with the mental and physical decline of my ailing grandfather, who has recently been moved into the Alzheimer's and Dementia unit of his nursing home. It has been so very hard but we are keeping our spirits high and visiting him whenever we possibly can. Mike, Jake, Jordyn, my best friend Jenny, and I visited him last week, and we took lots of video of him. It was an amazing day and one that we will all remember. I appreciate all the prayers and love many of you have given my family.

Grandpa Al with Jake and Jordyn

We also celebrated Christmas, Channukah, our 6th anniversary, Jake & Jordyn's 4th birthday, my baby shower, and Mike's 30th birthday in the past 2 months. It was almost a constant celebration in our house and time we got to spend with all our family and friends. The offseason is so busy for us, but wonderful at the same time. I have included even more pictures from the past couple of months!

Auntie Jojo with the twins on their 4th birthday
J & J's 4th Birthday Party at My Gym

Celebrating Channukah with Safta at Chinese Food

At Mimi & P's for Christmas

In Oxnard for our 6th Anniversary

Celebrating Mike's 30th Birthday at Cafe Cordiale (surprise party)

My sister and I at my baby shower

Jake has been playing flag football with his "team" and will start T-ball in a couple of weeks. He has actually taken up a new sport that he absolutely loves. GOLF! Mike has taken him a few times to the "big boy" golf course and they actually played 18 holes on a par 3 course. He has his own lefty putter and a 9 iron. I think we might have another Tiger Woods (um, no, not in regards to anything but golf) on our hands and we couldn't be prouder. He has been building a lot at school and has been practicing his big brother role with some of Jordyn's dolls. All in all, he is just my boy's boy who couldn't be sweeter and more lovable.
Practicing at putt putt golf on his b-day

My little fish

Jordyn, my mom, Mike's mom, Mike's sister and I all visited the American Girl store a couple of weeks ago. OH NO! I think I was worse than Jordyn in the store. I wanted to buy everything! She has been really into her dolls and Barbie's lately and changes their clothes nearly 10 times a day. It's really cute when she has Mike doing it for her. Jordyn has also taken a big liking to her swimming lessons. She thinks she's a fish and absolutely loves being in the water. She can swim the length of a pool by herself and it's truly a joy to watch. Coloring is her other favorite thing to do and regardless of where she is, she is pretty creative with what is given to her. She never ceases to amaze us with her personality and sensitivity.

Jordyn with Ava, her American Girl doll

Eating lunch at the American Girl cafe....what fun!

The next month or so will be wonderful and a true blessing, and I am so lucky to have my friends surrounding me for the support of raising 3 kids without Mike around. Mike is gearing up for the season and ready to rock and roll. We can't wait to join him in Japan when the time is right. Until then, we will be in LA visiting with our friends and family, and adjusting to life as a family of 5 (well, kind of).

Present for the Big Brother to be

Every big sister needs a pair of wheels

I will definitely update the blog with some pictures of our expanded family. In the meantime, stay safe, healthy, and enjoy every minute of every day with your loved ones!

Sarah

Time sure flies!

WOW! I can't believe it's already the beginning of December! Things have been nonstop around the Schultz household, from birthdays and traveling, to sickness and baseball negotiations. All in all, the busyness has been good and sweet. Mike and I traveled to Alabama a little less than 2 weeks ago for our good friend Bill's wedding. Mike was one of the groomsmen, and a handsome one if I might add! :)

I began feeling ill (coughing) right before the trip, but couldn't miss the wedding, so the day after the wedding, and after lots of dancing and a few too many contractions, we came home a day early. Since the trip, things have been great pregnancy wise. I feel great and the baby is as healthy as can be. I am now 30 weeks and Baby Girl Schultz is weighing in at about 3 lbs. 8 oz. We are getting super excited for her arrival and just trying to prepare before everything gets a bit too hectic.

The week after the wedding we celebrated Thanksgiving with Mike's family. It was very nice, but my coughing only got worse. I finally got some steroids to help calm down the cough. The doctor was a bit worried that I might cough my way into labor since it was nonstop. After 2 bruised ribs and a lovely side pain, I am just starting to feel a bit better. Perfect timing because we just celebrated Mike's 30th birthday this last weekend, and it was an amazing weekend. Thank you to all our friends and family who made it a perfect birthday.

This weekend we are having Jake and Jordyn's 4th Birthday party at a really cool indoor gym. Their birthday is not until December 15th, but due to some time complications, we are doing their party this weekend. My baby shower is the following weekend, and then Mike and I are celebrating our 6th Wedding Anniversary. All these celebrations, just in time for Chanukah and Christmas.

Jake has been playing soccer in a league, and absolutely loving it. Today he had his awards ceremony and just ate it up. He is really into golf right now and even got his own little set of golf clubs. He goes out every week on the golf course and actually does a pretty good job. Jordy is practicing real hard for ballet and even has a recital coming up in a couple of weeks. She loves dancing and loves performing. They are both taking swimming lessons again and are just about ready to swim on their own. We are taking advantage of all the sports that are being offered here in LA because once next season begins, the sports are pretty limited.

It is definitely a crazy month, but a blessed one at that. We have finally settled with the same team in Japan, and will be going back there for next baseball season. We feel very lucky and happy with our decision. Mike will be going back mid February, and the kids and I (all 3 of them at that time) will follow toward the end of March/beginning of April. We hope those of you who haven't visited us yet, will take the opportunity to come on down and see what Japan and the Schultz's have to offer!

We hope everyone is doing well and we will update again soon. I promise! Now that I am supposed to be resting and taking it easy, I will be able to update more often. We wish everyone a wonderful month of December regardless of what holiday you celebrate! Take care!

Mike, Sarah, Jake, Jordy, & Baby Schultz