We want to wish a big congratulations to our cousin Andrea and her husband Josh on the arrival of their first child, a wonderful baby boy named Isaiah Joshua. Aunti Linda said Isaiah was born at 12:46pm PDT weighing in at 2790 grams (6 lbs 14 ozs). Andrea is doing great and the whole family is just ecstatic.

We wish them all well and can’t to see some pictures of beautiful little Isaiah. Welcome to the family.

Update 2006-JUL-06
These pictures are fresh in from Cousin Kristen of Cousin Andrea and handsome little baby Isaiah. Sure is a cutie. Congrats again Andrea and Josh.

Well the boy done went and got himself hitched to a BEAUTIFUL girl from Slovakia (in case some of you didn’t know Brian’s Dad is originally from Slovakia). We got word a couple days ago from Brian that he and Maria were married in Slovakia (I have included his email below). Way to go guys. I know everyone in Canada will look forward to meeting and seeing you in the fall. Of course for Kana, Grace Yuki and I it may be a bit longer yet before we can visit with you two.

“Maria and I are pleased to announce that on April 22, 2006 we were married in Trnava, Slovakia.

The day was perfect and the weather cooperated – 26 degrees and sunny.
80 people were in attendance and got to experience a combination of Canadian
and Slovak traditions. We look forward to returning to Canada this summer and
celebrating our marriage everyone. A reception will take place in Victoria in
late summer, or early fall. ”

The Newlyweds,
Brian and Maria Hotovy
We wish you both all the BEST in your new married life together. KANPAI!

Our little princess Gracie has been growing up. Actually I can’t believe how fast she gets bigger and some of the baby clothes we got for the Christmas can’t fit anymore! It is a real blessing that Grace has been growing just fine and I never can appreciate enough.

She will be 2 month old on Feb 22nd and there have been some changes with her. First of all, the time of her being awake gets longer. Secondly, she smiles or laughs looking at people or things and which means she gets to recognize what are around her. Also the reasons for her to cry has been changing, she only cried because she was hungry or wanted to have a fresh diaper before, however lately, we find that she sometimes cries for our attention or when she wants to be hold and that shows she grows.

I began to read her kids books these days. AND seems she really likes books! I succeeded to take a great picture of Grace Yuki with a beautiful smile on her face. It was taken when I read her a book called “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?” . Imagine me reading a book and trying to get a nice shot of Grace’s smile with my little cell phone at the same time! It must have been a quite funny scene if anybody had looked! Yet, that is what most of the new parents would do, I bet.

Well, the bassinet we bought for Grace will be too small for her to be in sometime soon and we’d better go get something bigger.

Thanks Grace Yuki for being such a beautiful, wonderful and amazing girl! Every cry, noise, smile and laugh you make have been making your parents the happiest in the world! Also thanks Craig for your support as always. I don’t think I would be able to get what I’ve got now without your help.

I love you both, my family.

First of all, thanks so much everyone for the cards, e-mails and gifts. We very much appreciate all of you, needless to say.

Well, almost 20 days have passed since beautiful Grace was born. She is such a great baby, and Craig and I are so happy. Even when she is sleeping, we just can not take our eyes off from her, you know what I mean. Even her crying makes me happy because I can know she is alive. It is strange but I feel like I am still in a dream once in a while. Giving baby a birth is surely an experience which is very hard, with lot of pain but with a joy never be to compare to anything. Holding still wet Grace in my arms and feeling her warmth gave me a feeling that I had never imagined I would. I will never forget that feeling, Grace's warmth and Craig's face looking at us with teary eyes.

Grace Yuki has been growing up just fine and basically seeing every single change on her is what I do.

Craig is a great Dad already. He helps me a lot with changing diaper (he is a Master), putting Grace into a sleep in the middle of the night with a wicked songs (he is a Professional), and holding Grace in his arms when she is not in a good mood (he is an Expert).

Anyways, Grace's existence has changed everything and we are just happy with this reality. I can't wait to see her growing up and bringing us great joy one and another. I am still a new mom and know there are lots to learn from now on but I know at the same time that I have Craig and Grace Yuki to learn together. New Team Mercer has just launched.

Kana and Grace came home from the hospital today.

Craig, Kana and Yuki fresh home from the hospital

We have been just overwhelmed by all of your emails to both regular and cell phone addresses, as well as all of your encouragement on the friends page. In addition we have really cherished being able to visit with some of you via Skype and MSN Messenger. Thank You Very Much.

I posted a few of the photos from the past few days to the Photo Gallery (retired 2012 as the photos are on Facebook)…so enjoy.

Tonight is our first night all at home, and I am sure with less sleep then any of us is used to. Pray for us! 😉

Kana was informed by one of the nurses at Kaizuka Hospital that she got the wrong discharge date. Her and Grace will be coming home on Tuesday, December 27th around 12:00 noon instead of Monday as we originally thought.

Kana is a little impatient about coming home, but I told her that it was quite nice to have all these nurses available to her so she can rest up and be ready for when the real work begins…when the girls get home.

I am just finishing off a video of young Grace Yuki Mercer…and in the video I use the song “Grace” by U2 from the “All That You Can't Leave Behind” album. I thought I might post the lyrics here as I think, I am sure you will agree, are quite awesome.

Grace

by U2

Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name

Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

Hello Everyone. I am back from the hospital with some more pictures and some more information on how today unfolded. God is good.

Well you should have known all of this by now but my email list failed me.

Grace Yuki Mercer was born this morning at 10:17AM JST. She weighs 2.9KG or 2900 grams.

Kana started having contractions around 3:30AM, when I got up she was like “Hmm Honey…the baby is coming.” So Chie, Mom, Kana and I piled into Chie’s car and headed to Kaizuka Hospital (about a 15 minute drive away). There she was whisked into the delivery room where I joined her soon after. The Nurses and Doctors said that Kana’s delivery was awesome because it was so short and there were no complications. In fact Kana gave a 100% natural child birth…no drugs or nothing…YOU GO MAMA!

Kana will stay in the hospital until Monday the 26th (so we are postponing Christmas until our BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER can make it home from the hospital). It was tough leaving her there tonight, but she is in good hands as is Grace.

So yeah, apparently my mailing list failed this morning so no one got the emails as it happened. YIKES! I have included a copy of the emails I sent from my cell phone:

7:23AM
Okay everyone, Kana has gone into labour and we are heading to the hospital as we speak. I will be emailing updates from my cell phone to this list as things progress. We appreciate your prayers at this crucial time for the Baby Mercer!

8:07AM JST
We just arrived at Kaizuka Hospital. Kana’s contractions are 5 minutes apart! More to follow…

11:11AM JST
Hey! Grace Yuki Mercer was born at 10:17AM JST weighing in at 2.9KG! Mom and Grace are doing GREAT!

5:42PM JST
Grace hanging out! BY THE WAY you can reply to these emails from my cell phone just keep em short! (this email had the Baby Room [see below] picture attached originally)

Okay well there ya go! I think everyone is up to speed now. If you want to email some wishes to Kana you can to her cell phone (she has it at the hospital)! Below are some pictures for your enjoyment! Click them for larger images.

Daughter Grace with Mom Kana shortly after being born

Grace hanging out in the Baby Room with “The Gang”

Grace sleeping in the Baby Room

Craig & Kana…the Happy Parents

Grace Yuki Mercer joined the family this morning at 10:17AM JST (Japan Standard Time). She weighs 2.9KG and is just great.

Grace Yuki Mercer

We are just heading back up to Kaizuka Hospital now to see Kana and Grace. I will post some more pictures and video when we get back.