Thoughts on being a psuedo America-jin grandma

This is the latest picture I've gotten from Sachie (the very first student we've hosted, and whose wedding we attended in October 2001) of her firstborn, Reiji. I like to say he's my Japanese grandson, and I'm his American grandma. I have met him; he is as cute as a button and very charming. I got the news today that Sachie is pregnant again; she is in her second month and is suffering from morning sickness, poor kid. If she's in her second month, that means...let's see...the baby should be born the same month as Reiji--in November. I hope it's a girl. I mean, Reiji's adorable, and that shirt he's wearing in the picture is the one we sent him at Christmas, but I would love a little girl to lavish. Here's why:


This is Hiroko's little boy, Haruta. Hiroko is the student whose wedding we went to in October of 2003, and just last year she produced this little wonder (in October 2006). So I already have two grandsons; it's time for a granddaughter, f'goodness sakes! (BTW, the outfit he's wearing is, yes, one we sent him for Christmas. It's a tradition. ^_^)

Besides, then I can send Sachie all sorts of pretty girlie pink stuff...I have long wanted to buy the prettiest, frilliest things I can get my hands on to dress a little girl in. This would give me the perfect excuse.

Yeah, yeah, I know we aren't offically grandparents, but hey, this is as close as I'll ever get, so I'm enjoying it as much as I can. Hey again--someday these kids may be coming to homestay with us like their mothers did! I can dream, can't I??

(Now I know how weird my mom must've felt when she found herself to be a grandmother at 46. I'm too young to be a grandmother, f'goodness sake!!! Most of my hair is still its original color!)

Oh, one more thing that I just noticed. I can see both Sachie and her husband, Takao, in Reiji's face. It makes for a very darling little boy. I wonder if someday he'll be breaking little hearts when he goes to school?