Changes

A probably slightly longer update about Dawn and myself but we've been doing GREAT!! I know I only post up things about Toshi but I figured that I would take some time to share what we've been up to. 

In the last 8 months I have been on this crazy run of reading, learning, and trying to lose weight AND feel great too. A lot of people think that when you go on a diet that it's temporary but in reality it's a lifestyle change. I'm thankful that Dawn is incredibly supportive of my, "Hey, Boo ... wanna try this out with me??" sorta deals. A lifestyle change won't happen if your spouse or partner isn't on board with you. It only makes it harder because even though you want to eat healthy or differently you'll be constantly battling each other on what to eat. 

This all started because I wasn't happy with myself on how I looked, how I felt everyday, and I wanted to get better at basketball. Not only that but I wasn't happy with work either. So it seriously felt like a WTF kinda moment in my life. After several months of talking to Dawn about my situation we finally came to a conclusion on what to do first. I started to talk to other engineers at Northrop and through Miles' friends/acquaintances. This actually helped because one of the persons I was talking to spoke to his lead and expressed to him that I wanted a change in my career.  Long story short (without all the cussing and frustration I had from work) I moved to a different group and I couldn't be happier. One thing that I learned from all of this and what Dawn has said to me over and over is that you are only stuck if you choose not to do anything about it. 

 My lead and situation at work is better and even though it has its challenges I have an entirely new attitude towards it. I don't associate myself with people that hold me back and I can honestly say that I dropped those fools from my work and social life. Not only that but I've come to the mind frame that I will never let work define who I am and what I am capable of. For the longest time I have always felt that work is who I am. But the people that have my back constantly is my family and they should always be #1, not #2. Once I had this attitude everything at work changed. I want to be the best husband, the best father, and best family man I could ever be. I'll still put out great work and effort at work but not with the mind frame that I need approval from these people. I need to be there for my wife and son and it has helped soooo much. One thing in particular is that the bond between me and Toshi has exponentially improved. When I am with him I only focus on him and what he wants to do and I enjoy the moments/days when it's just me and him. 

Once work was getting better I took on a challenge to myself to drop some weight. I've read numerous books and listened to multiple podcast on health and nutrition. Some of the books I've read were Wheat Belly and The Bulletproof Diet.  I've also poke to a friend of mine every week on managing my macro-nutrient numbers. Let me tell you ... I have never been so satisfied eating what I eat today. I actually eat two to three times MORE than before and I am still in the greatest shape of my life.

This leads me into a shout out to Dawn because we (yes, I promote this to my friends and coworkers as well) are promoting a detox through Arbonne International. This detox is exactly what I've been doing for the last 8 months. The only thing that's different is that it's a program and everything is laid out for you. We actually had to figure this out together and come up with meal plans for the both us which took a lot of work. The detox program does work and I can say that because two people at work have done it ... male and female ... and they have lost 10+ lbs. My coworker who has been on it for almost 2.5 months has lost 20 lbs!!! Amazing!! And he is always satiated with lean protein, healthy complex carbs and healthy fats too! So Dawn has been working her butt off the last 3 months and she is doing GREAT! If any of you want more information let me know or get in touch with Dawn.  

Losing weight isn't about working out 7 days a week (don't get me wrong that helps and is essentially icing on the cake) and it comes down to what you are fueling your body with. When I started I got rid of the candy bars, high carb breakfast, cheating on multiple meals every single weekend with pizza, burgers, and beers .. LOTS of beer might I add and I started to drop weight quick. For the first month I was dropping, on average, 2 lbs per week. This is what the detox can basically do for you and I believe in what Arbonne has developed.  Eating clean is simple. It's only a matter of how bad you want it and what you are willing to give up ... or how much extra work are you willing to put in as well. Needless to say I was at 197 lbs and 16% body fat and I am now 180 lbs at 10.7% body fat... woohoo!!! 

As for Toshi, he has the good life!! Here's Toshi taking a shower like a big boy.

Don't mind my hairy belly lol. Actually, in the first pic Toshi was pointing out my manly nipples muahahaha

While we were at my basketball game today he took a run on the football field

Let me blow off the dust!

I've been meaning to blog and update everyone on how we're doing but life has been busy. In all honesty Dawn and I can't believe that next week is going to be March! Sooner than we think, Toshi is going to be 2 and I hit the big 3-0 =(.

Before I get into our own shenanigans I'll talk about Toshi first. He's definitely getting big and he is always moving.  That boy doesn't stop except if you have food. If you wanna be his best friend and/or have him warm up to you, bring some snacks :D.  So, the only time we can catch him sitting still for a photo is when he's eating. Even if you think he doesn't see you bring out your phone, gopro, or camera ... he'll stop what he's doing and run up to you.

Dawn and I couldn't be happier with how he is doing and who would have thought this kid came out 6 weeks early, was sleeping for the first day or two (we were worried because he wasn't eating!), and was sooo small.  He is a big kid and he definitely likes to play rough. Probably doesn't help that I play rough with him too by throwing the ball at him, pushing him over, tickling him etc. etc.

Some of the best moments, hands down, is when I hear him call "Dada", comes over to me, smiles, slaps my face, laughs, and runs away haha. If you couldn't guess it this is my morning wake up call haha. Sometimes Dawn is there to say, "Nice, nice to daddy" and if she says that he's actually very nice. Instead of a slap he grabs my phone, plays with the radio, or grabs my water container.

Another awesome moment is when we see Toshi overcome a certain fear. Our most recent one was standing up and taking shower with the hand shower. We had dinner at papa's house and Papa decided to give him a shower with his hand shower attachment. Man .... Toshi screamed bloody murder the whole time. It was nuts! So after that Dawn and I decided it was time to graduate from the "tub".  It was rough the first few days. He screamed so loud and frantic that even Kekoa came over to check out what was going on in the bathroom. Anyways, after a 3 nights of doing this by the fourth he was totally fine. I mean ... fine haha. In fact he LOVED it! He was laughing, giggle, and dancing in the shower. It was soooo awesome and cool to see that after some time and expanding his comfort zone he was able to be confident in the shower.

And lastly ... maybe my favorite moment is when we get him ready for bed. We do the usual lotion, pajamas on, read book and sing a song. But the moment that melts my heart is when we say good night. Toshi will keep his eyes on you and just as you are about to walk out of the room he starts to wave at you! Sometimes he mumbles something which, we like to believe is "goodnight" haha. But that is such a heartfelt moment.  Makes me want to pick him back up and give him more kisses!! haha

Christmas!!!

Life is just so crazy that by the time I actually want to post something I'm too tired too do so.

Dawn has mentioned to me that one of her patients uses the mobile app and being that some of my readers (Probably not many) don't have Facebook. However, I don't really post up every single picture we take but this mobile app can be something quick and simple for us. I really want to share everything with you guys, especially my mom and dad, but keeping up with the current generation means doing everything from my phone haha.

So, let's test this out!!

We finally put up our Christmas tree and it is amazing! I was never one to pay money for something that dies in a few weeks but since it was going to be big and in our living room I'd figure we could splurge just a little. Here's a quick pic we have of our tree and Kekoa

So... after several attempts of writing on my phone and trying out the mobile app ... it sucks!!! It was frozen on my post for days and I gave up waiting for it to be available. Not sure why but oh wells.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their holiday season!!

Wait ... really? A blog post?

It has been forever and years since I have blogged or shared with you what's been going on lately. I know ... my bad :P

Not only did my parents ask, "What's up with Toshi's Tooshie??" but my in-laws, friends, and co-workers mentioned something to me all within this past month of October. So I took it as a sign to sit down and do something.

I also had to download ALL the pictures from my camera and to my surprise I had pictures on there since ... maybe February/March time frame?? I can't remember exactly but it was a long time ago haha.

Last week we went to the pumpkin patch. This is Toshi's second time and he had a blast!! Granted I think he was scared of some of the masks but overall, he had a great time.

On a tangent subject, since I haven't posted for a while I'm sure some of you are like, "OMG look how big he is!!" Yes .. this kid can eat. Dawn has said that he has never said or gave the notion of "I'm full, stop feeding me." Only if he doesn't like what he's eating than he'll give the "all done" sign. Can you believe

Toshi is in full walking mode as well.  I love and hate this stage in development. I love it because he can walk and his motor functions are amazing. Dawn has always said that babies have the best form and it's so true. His back is always straight, his chest is upright and not concave in, and when he bends down to pick stuff up his squat form is amazing. The down side ... he will NOT sit still haha. Not a huge bad thing but watching Dawn's bball game (or mine) he wants to move and run around. Anyways, the good outweighs the bad so both Dawn and I are very happy with Toshi.

I'm not sure how much longer Toshi will do this but we find it absolutely cute that he crosses his feet. He's been doing this since he was born!! We wonder when this will stop or if it ever will

Well I hope everyone is doing well!!! Thanksgiving and Christmas is just around the corner and another year is almost in the history books. I can't believe it'll be 2015!! Where has this year gone?! So much good stuff has happened with work, outside life, and family life.  The beginning of the year was rough but finally, I can say, I'm over the hump and have a better appreciation for my family (mom, dad, mama & papa, bro/sister in-law ... I couldn't be more appreciative).

I've found my happy spot and it seriously meant to let go of things that have been putting me down for years. It's hard to let go of certain aspects of life but when you do and realize how much better you're doing ... **sigh** it's AMAZING!!! I come home happy and excited to see Dawn and Toshi, I'm happy with my body fat loss and the workout and flex diet have been good to me.

Turn down for what?!

It's already June!!

It has been a while since I last updated the blog =(. Since Toshi is napping right now I figured I can write something up real quick.

Toshi's development has been so quick the last few months. Both Dawn and I were wondering if he was ever going to crawl since he preferred to stand. However, the first "step" was the backwards crawl to a seated position and then we realized he LOVES the iPad or our phones. These objects were like cookies for him.  He showed signs of wanting to crawl and sure enough within a few days he was  mobile.  Our lives just got a little crazier, right??

Well it's also pretty cool when you think about it since my arms can finally take a break from holding his beefy frame. I don't know if I could hold him for more than 10-15 minutes!!! Yes, he's that solid haha. He's also an enormous heat generator. I started off this blog mentioning that Toshi is sleeping ... I love to hold him and let him sleep on me, while I still can, but the time has come that he prefers to sleep in his bed. He actually sleeps on his side these days so maybe that's why he'd prefer his bed. I can't complain either since I get really hot when he sleeps on me.

We recently sent out his invitations for his first birthday. These were the pictures we chose and narrowed it down from there. Having him sit still is really, really hard haha.

This picture was a straight up mug shot haha. None of us like this one but I'd thought I share it with everyone.

I liked this picture but too bad I wasn't directly in front of him.  I don't have Photoshop skills, yet, to remove the bib and all.  If you haven't noticed yet Toshi loves to eat!! He eats so well for every meal I just hope he doesn't grow sideways too much.  I remember that I spent all my money, from my first job, on food. I loved going out to eat all the time with friends ... sure enough though you gain weight haha. Let's hope Toshi doesn't eat THAT much :)

This is a picture we chose since he was dressed up and had a koi fish behind him. He just looks a little "WTH" don't you think? haha.

Lastly, this picture was great. Every time I see this pic I wanna say, "Hey guuurl, how you doin??"

Dawn and I can't believe this little guy came out 6 weeks early, super tiny baby, and now he's like a little boy now. He's grown so much and he is someone that makes me smile after I come home from work. I can't believe he'll be one soon. It has gone by way too fast.

Start of Spring

The past few weeks have been pretty awesome. Toshi is starting to take that step forward in crawling and it's evident that he is getting stronger. I must admit though ... I miss the early stages of life when I could hold him in my arms and he wouldn't mind haha. Now, he doesn't want to be swaddled or cuddled :'( oh wells ...

First off it was Dawn's birthday (April 13th for those that don't know). I threw her a ... somewhat ... surprise birthday party. I decided to make short ribs and Dawn made Mac-n-Cheese (which was really good btw) and we had our friends come over.

Thanks to Nari and Ria for the amazing cheesecakes, which is Dawn's favorite dessert.

We also had a birthday dinner at Sakura with the family. We topped off the night with dessert at mama and papa's house:

Toshi's first experience with birthday candles haha. Now we know what he'll do when he has his first birthday cake.

Kevin and his family, Dawn's cousin, was in town from Australia so the family decided to celebrate Easter one week early. As usual it was filled with great food and good company:

This is one of my favorite pics!

Toshi's first Easter egg hunt. Luckily he was able to find a bright pink one haha. I should have told him to grab the one with money in it!!! hahaha. Next time :P

This is a sample of what the kids got for Easter O_O

Even though we celebrated Easter early we still wanted to get together as a family and celebrate Easter on Easter Sunday. We went to Captain Kids on Redondo Beach Pier and man ... we ate like KINGS!!! Great seafood Brunch :D

As Dawn would say ... it's never too early to start haha. Dawn goes through these flashcards during the week with Toshi. 

One weekend we had a special guest come over haha. Rick was more than happy to read Toshi a bed time story and sing songs to put Toshi to sleep.

Teeth!

About a week or two ago mama noticed that Toshi had a tooth emerging from his lower gum line. At first glance you couldn't really tell but until you ran a finger over it that's when you notice it. Now, it's starting to show more as the days progress. He hasn't been terribly fussy but then again I don't have him all day, everyday, like mama and papa. Not the greatest photo (phone camera) but you can see two little teeth sticking out.

Dawn had a chance to visit her friend, Naomi, who recently gave birth to her son, Genzo. He's only 4 months old but looks older than Toshi haha.

 Toshi found some time to play with his toys while at Naomi's house. As always ... he explores by taste first haha.

While all of us are working hard someone has to be sleeping on the job:

Kekoa has warmed up to Toshi a bit more these days. He doesn't see him as some little alien anymore but he is still reserved, as he should be. Kekoa still doesn't like it when Toshi is on him since his ears go back but it's getting better as the months pass by.