Today is Day 30 of National Posting Blogging Month. I cannot believe I met the challenge to blog every single day. It actually was not as difficult as I thought it would be! There were a couple of times that I barely squeaked by and once that I did it so early in the morning, my sister thought it shouldn't count because she had nothing to read over breakfast. She had to wait almost two days of time for the next post being up.
I appreciate all my faithful readers and the few who have begun posting comments. I love getting feedback!
Hadarya is having a ball! She is such a trooper. She loved walking around and around and around the hotel area by the conference site. The huge open space was extremely attractive to her walking feet. She got very adventurous and walked pretty far away from us.
It's now time to get dressed for Shabbat. The real treat of the weekend is davening with Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro. She is here for the Biennial and is our dear friend who introduced Yiftach and I to each other. It's going to be great to catch up with her.
There is a sense of relief to be ending this 30 days and a sense of sadness.
I am not longer obligated to blog every day but it's been kind of fun. I kind of like the idea of picking a theme of some sort (other than my daughter) and blogging about that too. So this will temporarily be the end of every day blogging. We are in Orlando for a conference and have a busy weekend of things to do. I will update about our fun, but it might not be until we get home.
Nov 30, 2007
Nov 29, 2007
Day 29 - A Day of Pleasant Surpises
1. We made it through security at the San Diego Airport in the amount of time it took US to unload onto the conveyor belt and then reload on the other end. All this with a sleeping baby who NEVER WOKE UP!
2. A baby who slept through the first part of the flight to Atlanta, transferred into the stroller and slept for the entire layover, and then got on the plane, played for take off while watching all the people and then fell fast asleep.
3. Car seat rental with car was a brilliant idea.
4. Time share has cribs and high chairs available at no cost to us. No need to drive to rent them for $80!
5. Internet hook up for our laptop in our room is $15
6. If we have to change units tomorrow, the housekeepers move everything for us.
We are very tired at 11:30 PM on the East Coast. Baby girl did not go to sleep until 10:30 with very little napping all day. Husband is exhausted and cranky but a very good man for chauffering us back and forth to the resort, hanging out, and wanting so badly to participate but knowing it's not his time to.
What a nice day despite the lack of proper sleep last night. We have found Floridians to be very friendly, helpful, and pleasant. : )
2. A baby who slept through the first part of the flight to Atlanta, transferred into the stroller and slept for the entire layover, and then got on the plane, played for take off while watching all the people and then fell fast asleep.
3. Car seat rental with car was a brilliant idea.
4. Time share has cribs and high chairs available at no cost to us. No need to drive to rent them for $80!
5. Internet hook up for our laptop in our room is $15
6. If we have to change units tomorrow, the housekeepers move everything for us.
We are very tired at 11:30 PM on the East Coast. Baby girl did not go to sleep until 10:30 with very little napping all day. Husband is exhausted and cranky but a very good man for chauffering us back and forth to the resort, hanging out, and wanting so badly to participate but knowing it's not his time to.
What a nice day despite the lack of proper sleep last night. We have found Floridians to be very friendly, helpful, and pleasant. : )
Nov 28, 2007
Day 28 - Traveling Lightly
We began our packing endeavor last night too late to really think things through. Normally I pack far in advance, but there has been too much going on to think that way. This is our first big trip since Hadarya has been mobile. We have done a lot of traveling, but no air flights since March. All car rides, usually when she is sleeping.
We realized we were in a predicament when her clothes and such took up one small suitcase, mine another, and then Yiftach's. Add to that a Pack and Play and a car seat and we are over in our allowed amount to check. Never mind the carry on's and stroller! The one smart thing we did was pack the car seat in a traveling bag and pack it with blankets, diapers, and toys. We used our space wisely.
Then I got an idea!
Somehow we must be able to rent the items we need so we don't have to schlep them. We ARE going to Orlando mind you and that tourist area has to be filled with these things. Google came through and gave us 8 options. Some more expensive than others. We settled on a a place called K.I.S.S. which will give us a full size crib with bumper, mattress, and linens, a high chair (she's gotta sit somewhere!), and a box of toys for about $80 for a week. (weeks start at 4 days). We decided it was well worth the money and not the schelp! Then I was told today at daycare by another mom that car rental places have to offer car seats...who knew?? I've never rented a car with a baby! So we called up and sure enough for $7.50 a day or $39 for the week we can get a car seat.
SOOOO we said goodbye to our packed up carseat, no pack and play, and are going to Orlando for 5 days and 4 nights with 2 large suitcases, 1 small suitcase full of consumable items, (diapers and food), a diaper bag, a backpack (magazines, laptop, and toys), a stroller, and a laptop case. We are golden. This is going to be great and we feel so good about choosing to travel without all the added accessories. We haven't gone yet, but I highly recommend renting if possible. I know the lack of hassle will be worth the money!
We realized we were in a predicament when her clothes and such took up one small suitcase, mine another, and then Yiftach's. Add to that a Pack and Play and a car seat and we are over in our allowed amount to check. Never mind the carry on's and stroller! The one smart thing we did was pack the car seat in a traveling bag and pack it with blankets, diapers, and toys. We used our space wisely.
Then I got an idea!
Somehow we must be able to rent the items we need so we don't have to schlep them. We ARE going to Orlando mind you and that tourist area has to be filled with these things. Google came through and gave us 8 options. Some more expensive than others. We settled on a a place called K.I.S.S. which will give us a full size crib with bumper, mattress, and linens, a high chair (she's gotta sit somewhere!), and a box of toys for about $80 for a week. (weeks start at 4 days). We decided it was well worth the money and not the schelp! Then I was told today at daycare by another mom that car rental places have to offer car seats...who knew?? I've never rented a car with a baby! So we called up and sure enough for $7.50 a day or $39 for the week we can get a car seat.
SOOOO we said goodbye to our packed up carseat, no pack and play, and are going to Orlando for 5 days and 4 nights with 2 large suitcases, 1 small suitcase full of consumable items, (diapers and food), a diaper bag, a backpack (magazines, laptop, and toys), a stroller, and a laptop case. We are golden. This is going to be great and we feel so good about choosing to travel without all the added accessories. We haven't gone yet, but I highly recommend renting if possible. I know the lack of hassle will be worth the money!
Nov 27, 2007
Day 27 - No Applause When Entering A Room?
At the end of the 3 Day walk, at closing ceremonies, the crowds of thousands cheer and applaud the walkers and crew as they come into closing ceremonies. The closing speaker always jokes about how there will probably not be anyone clapping for you when you walk into the office on Monday. It gets tons of laughs because we realize how great it has been to cheer each other on all weekend and that no one every applauds our simple efforts.
Well tonight that was not the case. With 9 women in Book Club watching my proud baby girl show off, there was spontaneous applause. She was in the dining room and finishing dinner when most of them arrived. They have not see her stable walking yet and boy she couldn't wait. Well, she did wait patiently by her chair until everyone was looking at her. Then she smiled her huge smile, clasped her hands in front of her chest and slowly and dramatically began her walk to Ima. When she got to the carpet, she fell forward in a bow and everyone clapped. Yep, she got the applause when entering the room walking.
We think she's as cute as a button but this took the cake. She was a giggly mess of fun the whole evening and totally delights in the attention she gets as the youngest member of book club. Although... I am considering that the need for a sitter is going to arise shortly as she's just not going to let me relax and enjoy book club much longer.
Off to grab my sleep. She is let us sleep until 5:15 AM and then went back to bed after a bottle. BLISS.
Well tonight that was not the case. With 9 women in Book Club watching my proud baby girl show off, there was spontaneous applause. She was in the dining room and finishing dinner when most of them arrived. They have not see her stable walking yet and boy she couldn't wait. Well, she did wait patiently by her chair until everyone was looking at her. Then she smiled her huge smile, clasped her hands in front of her chest and slowly and dramatically began her walk to Ima. When she got to the carpet, she fell forward in a bow and everyone clapped. Yep, she got the applause when entering the room walking.
We think she's as cute as a button but this took the cake. She was a giggly mess of fun the whole evening and totally delights in the attention she gets as the youngest member of book club. Although... I am considering that the need for a sitter is going to arise shortly as she's just not going to let me relax and enjoy book club much longer.
Off to grab my sleep. She is let us sleep until 5:15 AM and then went back to bed after a bottle. BLISS.
Nov 26, 2007
Day 26 - On the Run
Literally I am moving in motion to get 3 days of sub plans finished, a note to a parent with directions for her day of volunteering in my classroom, hosting book club tomorrow night, and be a good sister. Oh yeah... and the baby is on the run too. She is so proud of herself for walking and she can get herself up without any assistance or props. It's adorable and scary and fun.
SO much to do and my bed calls loudly.
SO much to do and my bed calls loudly.
Nov 25, 2007
Day 25 - I don't want to brag BUT...
my daughter is exceptionally smart. She just is and she shows it every day. We do our best to guide her, giver her structure, and share with her experiences that we believe will enrich her, help her grow into a well-rounded human being, and learn a lot. Every day she continues to astound us and teach us things that she can already do that we don't remember teaching her.
Today was no exception.
She is not so keen on picking up her food anymore. She'll pick up finger food like bread, cornbread, pancakes, veggie burgers, and soy chicken nuggets. She will not pick up cucumber, broccoli, peaches, kiwi, or other slightly gooey foods. We thought she didn't like them. We thought she didn't appreciate us trying to feed her. We were so wrong. In the last two weeks she has been adamant about having her own spoon when we feed her something like applesauce and yogurt. She dips it into the jar or bowl and then brings it into her mouth in the right way and says "mmmmm." Ok, it's a spoon and she's got pretty good aim. Well today she insisted on holding a plastic fork and would not eat the kiwi that she loved yesterday when I put it in her mouth. So we speared the fork because she was putting it in her mouth. She GOBBLED up the half that I had cut for her that she did not pick up with her hands. At dinner, she ate speared cucumbers and all of a fruit cup on the fork that she would not touch before today. I cannot believe that she can use a fork! She is only 13 1/2 months old. She cannot spear it herself, but she can get it all in her mouth without any problem.
She also understands how to follow a direction. She has actually been doing this for about a month but we thought it was just because of the situation. My awesome cousin Janis bought her a rocker/toddler chair when she was born. She now climbs in and out of it. Hadarya thinks it's funny to stand on it and hold the back and play peek-a-boo with the window. We have been telling her to sit down in both Hebrew and English since she started the standing up business. Within a few days we could say, "Hadarya, sit down on your tushie please;" and she would. She'd give us a smug look but she would do it. We thought it was our tone more than anything. Well, today we (Auntie Kimber, me and Aba) were sitting on the couch facing the wall with the toy chest (about 10 feet away). I asked Hadarya to go get the monkey (Kof) and give it to Auntie Kimber. I repeated it a few times using the Hebrew name for the monkey that we call it. She turned around and walked to the toy chest. She stopped and looked back at us and Aba told her the same thing entirely in Hebrew. She grabbed the monkey off the toy chest (there were 2 teddy bears and a doll on it too) and walked back to the couch and handed it to Auntie Kimber. We were shocked! She knew exactly what we asked and followed through. It was quite a sight to see.
So my life is going to be filled with finding ways to challenge my smart daughter while keeping her rooted in stability of herself. She has got the walking down pat and proudly pulls herself up on whatever is nearby and then toddles on. She actively leaves the family room and moves down the cold tile floors towards her room or ours or the kitchen. She rarely stops in between unless she needs to steady herself. She does not go running into things as she has figured out how to make her legs slow down. She is very proud of herself and we are too. I am sure that pride will turn into exhaustion as she begins running away from us to explore!
She is only 13 1/2 months old. Wow. I am so proud of her amazing accomplishments.
Today was no exception.
She is not so keen on picking up her food anymore. She'll pick up finger food like bread, cornbread, pancakes, veggie burgers, and soy chicken nuggets. She will not pick up cucumber, broccoli, peaches, kiwi, or other slightly gooey foods. We thought she didn't like them. We thought she didn't appreciate us trying to feed her. We were so wrong. In the last two weeks she has been adamant about having her own spoon when we feed her something like applesauce and yogurt. She dips it into the jar or bowl and then brings it into her mouth in the right way and says "mmmmm." Ok, it's a spoon and she's got pretty good aim. Well today she insisted on holding a plastic fork and would not eat the kiwi that she loved yesterday when I put it in her mouth. So we speared the fork because she was putting it in her mouth. She GOBBLED up the half that I had cut for her that she did not pick up with her hands. At dinner, she ate speared cucumbers and all of a fruit cup on the fork that she would not touch before today. I cannot believe that she can use a fork! She is only 13 1/2 months old. She cannot spear it herself, but she can get it all in her mouth without any problem.
She also understands how to follow a direction. She has actually been doing this for about a month but we thought it was just because of the situation. My awesome cousin Janis bought her a rocker/toddler chair when she was born. She now climbs in and out of it. Hadarya thinks it's funny to stand on it and hold the back and play peek-a-boo with the window. We have been telling her to sit down in both Hebrew and English since she started the standing up business. Within a few days we could say, "Hadarya, sit down on your tushie please;" and she would. She'd give us a smug look but she would do it. We thought it was our tone more than anything. Well, today we (Auntie Kimber, me and Aba) were sitting on the couch facing the wall with the toy chest (about 10 feet away). I asked Hadarya to go get the monkey (Kof) and give it to Auntie Kimber. I repeated it a few times using the Hebrew name for the monkey that we call it. She turned around and walked to the toy chest. She stopped and looked back at us and Aba told her the same thing entirely in Hebrew. She grabbed the monkey off the toy chest (there were 2 teddy bears and a doll on it too) and walked back to the couch and handed it to Auntie Kimber. We were shocked! She knew exactly what we asked and followed through. It was quite a sight to see.
So my life is going to be filled with finding ways to challenge my smart daughter while keeping her rooted in stability of herself. She has got the walking down pat and proudly pulls herself up on whatever is nearby and then toddles on. She actively leaves the family room and moves down the cold tile floors towards her room or ours or the kitchen. She rarely stops in between unless she needs to steady herself. She does not go running into things as she has figured out how to make her legs slow down. She is very proud of herself and we are too. I am sure that pride will turn into exhaustion as she begins running away from us to explore!
She is only 13 1/2 months old. Wow. I am so proud of her amazing accomplishments.
Nov 24, 2007
Day 24 - Sleepless in San Diego
Every since Hadarya got sick at 11 1/2 months (she is now 13 1/2 months) we've not had a consistent good night's sleep. Her sleep pattern was constantly disrupted with not feeling well, fevers, breathing issues related to teething, etc. It's not been a good month in our house for feeling well rested!
She is healthy now and has gained her appetite back. We are using soy milk as she had a difficult time with the whole milk right after being sick. The sicknesses interrupted a good path we were on to get off formula, bottles, and baby food. All of that slid downhill with the various illnesses as she only wanted comfort food that was mushy and easy to swallow. The new fangs coming in didn't help the drinking issue. And now we are having a sleep issue.
She wakes an average of two times a night and cries her eyes out. She never ever has done this before. Tonight was no exception. She was totally soaked and cried through the whole diaper change. She was only ok once she had a bottle in her mouth in which she drowned the entire thing. Her 1:30 AM spout was her second waking up since going to bed at 7 PM. She will not go down to sleep unless she is really almost out either.
We tried to let her cry a little when she "woke" up from the bottle and being put down by Yiftach. Did not work. Her screaming petered out within 5 minutes and it was minimal. I went in and gave her a pacifier and laid her down and patted her back several time and told her I loved her and to rest her body. She was standing up screaming before I left the room! The only thing that worked this time was the rocking chair and bottle again. We also tried tylenol as her teeth are looking swollen as they drop through on both sides.
She is an amazing kid who is happy, happy, happy all the time. She goes down for naps very easily at daycare. She is one of the few who still needs her back patted for a while but she does not need to be rocked like at home. She will not do that for us here.
I know she is not really hungry and that she is getting enough food. I know that sleep patterns get interrupted. I know that she is way happier with more sleep and so am I. I don't know how to get back to the longer sleep hours for her and how to help her stop the crying. Nothing I read on the internet helps. I am hoping that it's just a phase as she is growing and getting over being sick.
We are off to Florida next weekend and this is going to be way hard if she cannot sleep through the night!
She is healthy now and has gained her appetite back. We are using soy milk as she had a difficult time with the whole milk right after being sick. The sicknesses interrupted a good path we were on to get off formula, bottles, and baby food. All of that slid downhill with the various illnesses as she only wanted comfort food that was mushy and easy to swallow. The new fangs coming in didn't help the drinking issue. And now we are having a sleep issue.
She wakes an average of two times a night and cries her eyes out. She never ever has done this before. Tonight was no exception. She was totally soaked and cried through the whole diaper change. She was only ok once she had a bottle in her mouth in which she drowned the entire thing. Her 1:30 AM spout was her second waking up since going to bed at 7 PM. She will not go down to sleep unless she is really almost out either.
We tried to let her cry a little when she "woke" up from the bottle and being put down by Yiftach. Did not work. Her screaming petered out within 5 minutes and it was minimal. I went in and gave her a pacifier and laid her down and patted her back several time and told her I loved her and to rest her body. She was standing up screaming before I left the room! The only thing that worked this time was the rocking chair and bottle again. We also tried tylenol as her teeth are looking swollen as they drop through on both sides.
She is an amazing kid who is happy, happy, happy all the time. She goes down for naps very easily at daycare. She is one of the few who still needs her back patted for a while but she does not need to be rocked like at home. She will not do that for us here.
I know she is not really hungry and that she is getting enough food. I know that sleep patterns get interrupted. I know that she is way happier with more sleep and so am I. I don't know how to get back to the longer sleep hours for her and how to help her stop the crying. Nothing I read on the internet helps. I am hoping that it's just a phase as she is growing and getting over being sick.
We are off to Florida next weekend and this is going to be way hard if she cannot sleep through the night!
Nov 23, 2007
Day 23 - Black Friday is GOOD
Yep, I went out very early this morning to shop. Actually I had somewhere to be at 6:30 anyway, so I decided I might as well hit a few stores along the way. I am actually very proud of myself. We did very smart ad shopping and I knew exactly what I was looking for. I found it all and did not spend more than 10 minutes waiting in line. I was a super savvy shopper. It was so awesome. I got home at 7:20 AM as my lovely husband and gorgeous daughter were getting up. I cannot share the amazing items here...as some of my readers are recipients of the gifts I purchased. But suffice it to say this will be a lovely holiday for all.
Shabbat was spent with Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Kimber where we celebrated Thanksgiving again. Turkey, cranberries, potatoes, peas and mushrooms, and great company. Hadarya even got to celebrate Hanukkah early by opening several presents. Her favorite, by far, was a fun rocking chair that Grandma got from a friend. It wasn't even an official holiday present!
Then we arrived home at 7:00 and Princess fell fast asleep... we are close behind.
Shabbat was spent with Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Kimber where we celebrated Thanksgiving again. Turkey, cranberries, potatoes, peas and mushrooms, and great company. Hadarya even got to celebrate Hanukkah early by opening several presents. Her favorite, by far, was a fun rocking chair that Grandma got from a friend. It wasn't even an official holiday present!
Then we arrived home at 7:00 and Princess fell fast asleep... we are close behind.
Nov 22, 2007
Day 22 - Turkey Day
Bright and early we were up and out to participate in the 6th annual Jewish Family Service 5K walk/run for the hungry. It was awesome! Baby girl slept until I picked her up out of her crib at 6:50 AM (this would be the morning she wanted to sleep in!) and we left her in her pj's and a fresh diaper. The race itself didn't get going until about 8:20 after the 10K runners left. We walked with Scott and Jennifer and had a blast! Auntie Kimber and Grandpa got ahead of us, so we caught up with them at the end. In time to eat pizza (Hadarya's first and definitely not the last!) and carmel corn.
Then we came home to a deliciously long nap. Hadarya slept for just over 2 hours she fell asleep in the car) and we put back on our PJ's and got into bed. Then we hung out when she woke up, had lunch, and went for a walk to the corner 7-11 to get a paper.
Of course, we'd pushed our time and so we rushed around to get dressed, give H a bath, and gather the tons of food we made to head to Scott and Jennifer. There were about 30 people having dinner tonight and it was a little loud, a little madhousy, and a lot of fun. The kids had fun playing and eating and laughing.
Hadarya is fast asleep having had no afternoon nap and staying up until about 8:00. We are hoping for an all-nighter tonight and so we are off to join her in dreamland. It was a wonderful day filled with lots of fun, good food, and fantastic family and friends. The best part...I don't feel like I over ate and stuffed myself. Yeah!
Then we came home to a deliciously long nap. Hadarya slept for just over 2 hours she fell asleep in the car) and we put back on our PJ's and got into bed. Then we hung out when she woke up, had lunch, and went for a walk to the corner 7-11 to get a paper.
Of course, we'd pushed our time and so we rushed around to get dressed, give H a bath, and gather the tons of food we made to head to Scott and Jennifer. There were about 30 people having dinner tonight and it was a little loud, a little madhousy, and a lot of fun. The kids had fun playing and eating and laughing.
Hadarya is fast asleep having had no afternoon nap and staying up until about 8:00. We are hoping for an all-nighter tonight and so we are off to join her in dreamland. It was a wonderful day filled with lots of fun, good food, and fantastic family and friends. The best part...I don't feel like I over ate and stuffed myself. Yeah!
Nov 21, 2007
Day 21 - Quiet Time
My house is quiet. The air is quiet. There is no noise right now except me typing. I cannot remember another moment like this in a long, long time. There are no little fingers grabbing the power plug or pounding on the keyboard. No voice asking me about dinner or what we are doing later. Just the quiet of my own thoughts...hmmm, that is kind of scary!
I am off today and my husband is at work and my daughter at daycare. I slept in (7:10) and got them off. I am doing some laundry, did a masque on my face, and took a long hot shower. The sky is bleak and gray and the kind you want to snuggle in with a movie and hot chocolate. Now, that is a great idea!
My day will be filled with friends and family coming over to cook for Thanksgiving and do laundry. Until then I am going to enjoy the time to myself. : )
I am off today and my husband is at work and my daughter at daycare. I slept in (7:10) and got them off. I am doing some laundry, did a masque on my face, and took a long hot shower. The sky is bleak and gray and the kind you want to snuggle in with a movie and hot chocolate. Now, that is a great idea!
My day will be filled with friends and family coming over to cook for Thanksgiving and do laundry. Until then I am going to enjoy the time to myself. : )
Nov 20, 2007
Day 20 - The Break Begins
I have been officially on break since noon today. It's a great thing to have conferences with no kids right before a holiday and then still have time off. I feel like I have accomplished so much. I talked to 17 parents about their students successes and challenges. I cleaned up my classroom. I rearranged the seats, made a new rewards system, and planned lessons for 2 weeks. I baked a batch of brownies and 2 batches of cookies. I made a nice dinner and hubby cleaned up the kitchen. Toys are put away and the babester went to bed without a fuss at 7:30.
I love knowing that I do not have to get up and out of pajamas all day tomorrow if I don't wanna. Break is good. I am so looking forward to 5 days of family, me time, and just hanging out in our house. Oh yeah... and blogging of course.
I am now going to enjoy my quiet house and my husband.
I love knowing that I do not have to get up and out of pajamas all day tomorrow if I don't wanna. Break is good. I am so looking forward to 5 days of family, me time, and just hanging out in our house. Oh yeah... and blogging of course.
I am now going to enjoy my quiet house and my husband.
Nov 19, 2007
Day 19 - Did You Know?
I spent the day in a class size reduction staff development today. All teachers who have 20 students are required to have a one of the three conference days taken back by the district for a mandated staff development.
Today, 300 K-3 teachers gathered to hear a speaker discuss and lead us in discussion about a Pyramid of Interventions meant to help students before things reach a crisis situation. It is meant to help our Professional Learning Communities continue on their paths to collaboration and achievement in learning for all students.
Part of the presentation was a short video called Did You Know? It was developed a year ago for a staff to start the conversation about whether or not they were preparing their students for the 21st century. It has now created 5 million conversations. This is one of them. Click on various versions on the home page to download the video.
It is powerful and thoughtful and insightful. It has made me think about what kind of world (one I cannot imagine!) will be there for my daughter in 20 years. It has made me realize that she is going to have a whole new world for herself that I will learn through her. It is my responsibility to provide her with the opportunities and experiences to be able to actively participate in this world that will be open to her.
Today, 300 K-3 teachers gathered to hear a speaker discuss and lead us in discussion about a Pyramid of Interventions meant to help students before things reach a crisis situation. It is meant to help our Professional Learning Communities continue on their paths to collaboration and achievement in learning for all students.
Part of the presentation was a short video called Did You Know? It was developed a year ago for a staff to start the conversation about whether or not they were preparing their students for the 21st century. It has now created 5 million conversations. This is one of them. Click on various versions on the home page to download the video.
It is powerful and thoughtful and insightful. It has made me think about what kind of world (one I cannot imagine!) will be there for my daughter in 20 years. It has made me realize that she is going to have a whole new world for herself that I will learn through her. It is my responsibility to provide her with the opportunities and experiences to be able to actively participate in this world that will be open to her.
Nov 18, 2007
Day 18 - LIFE
Today is the 18th day of blogging for me and I contemplated my day and what would be so interesting to write about. So I am focusing on the 18. 18 is the numbers represented by the Hebrew letters that make the word for life...chai. It is an important number in Judaism and one that is used for many things. My daughter was born on 10-08 (18) and came home from the hospital on the 18th of that month. It is an auspicious number and one that I constantly think of when thinking about new life yet to be.
Tonight we had dinner with our great friends that we never seem to see anymore. Why??? LIFE... it just gets in our way now. Tamar and I knew each other when we were single and out looking for our b'sheret almost 9 years ago. Wow how time flies. We were in each other's weddings, 6 months apart and will both celebrate 5 years of marriage in 2008. Our lives are full and busy and happy.
She is mom to a lively 3 year old boy and that certainly changed how her life worked and how our friendship worked. Then came our baby and another layer changes things as life begins to be more complicated when doing simple things like dinner. We used to just go go go and stay out late. Now our lives have two little bodies in it who need to eat at an early time and go to bed at an early time then we used to. It makes it challenging to find time to get together because we each want to be at our own house to let the kids go to bed.
So tonight, on a whim, we went to the park and played at 5 PM. We had so much fun. Then we went to dinner for pizza and salad and the kids had a ball. Hadarya got very tired right before our dinner came (no surprise since she had no nap!) and cuddled on me while I ate over her head. We joked about how conversations get interrupted now. How we order food with a toddler in mind who will eat some of it. How when it's time to go, it's time to go and there is no lollygagging around the bill.
Life is wonderful and full and happy. It's different than it was before the kids. It will be different after her twins arrive in February. Now we'll need a table for 8 with 4 high chairs! Life is good and today was a great day to remember all that we have and all that makes us smile.
Tonight we had dinner with our great friends that we never seem to see anymore. Why??? LIFE... it just gets in our way now. Tamar and I knew each other when we were single and out looking for our b'sheret almost 9 years ago. Wow how time flies. We were in each other's weddings, 6 months apart and will both celebrate 5 years of marriage in 2008. Our lives are full and busy and happy.
She is mom to a lively 3 year old boy and that certainly changed how her life worked and how our friendship worked. Then came our baby and another layer changes things as life begins to be more complicated when doing simple things like dinner. We used to just go go go and stay out late. Now our lives have two little bodies in it who need to eat at an early time and go to bed at an early time then we used to. It makes it challenging to find time to get together because we each want to be at our own house to let the kids go to bed.
So tonight, on a whim, we went to the park and played at 5 PM. We had so much fun. Then we went to dinner for pizza and salad and the kids had a ball. Hadarya got very tired right before our dinner came (no surprise since she had no nap!) and cuddled on me while I ate over her head. We joked about how conversations get interrupted now. How we order food with a toddler in mind who will eat some of it. How when it's time to go, it's time to go and there is no lollygagging around the bill.
Life is wonderful and full and happy. It's different than it was before the kids. It will be different after her twins arrive in February. Now we'll need a table for 8 with 4 high chairs! Life is good and today was a great day to remember all that we have and all that makes us smile.
Nov 17, 2007
Day 17 - Baby Love is the Best
My days are now divided into parts: work, baby time, and then catch up time on the house, life, mail, etc. That is about an hour and half of time before I crash into bed.
So today when I had to work on a Saturday and lose my baby time, it was not the best of the best! But I work in a public school and we offer Saturday conferences and get next Wednesday off before Thanksgiving. I met with 8 out of 10 parents who showed up and all of them went very well, except for the one I suspected wouldn't. It was really nice to sit with all my parents and chat about the strengths and weaknesses of their kids.
Then I got home at 2:30 to the best of the best that melted my heart! Hadarya was playing with her leap frog table and saw me around the corner. She grinned from ear to ear, stood tall, and raised her hands to me. Oh my, it was so great. She snuggled and cuddled and played and laughed. She couldn't get enough of me and I couldn't get enough of her. It was the best ending to my morning.
So today when I had to work on a Saturday and lose my baby time, it was not the best of the best! But I work in a public school and we offer Saturday conferences and get next Wednesday off before Thanksgiving. I met with 8 out of 10 parents who showed up and all of them went very well, except for the one I suspected wouldn't. It was really nice to sit with all my parents and chat about the strengths and weaknesses of their kids.
Then I got home at 2:30 to the best of the best that melted my heart! Hadarya was playing with her leap frog table and saw me around the corner. She grinned from ear to ear, stood tall, and raised her hands to me. Oh my, it was so great. She snuggled and cuddled and played and laughed. She couldn't get enough of me and I couldn't get enough of her. It was the best ending to my morning.
Day 16 - Shabbat
Once a month our synagogue has an early service and a fantastic dinner afterwards. The dinner is cooked by two members of the synagogue who give their time to shop and cook for 180 people. Last night they out did themselves.
The service was , as always, great. Hadarya LOVED the music by Zeji on the guitar. She danced and stared in awe as he played. She was not so interested when the music stopped so we took a few walks around.
The dinner was an early Thanksgiving feast that was beyond superb. Turkey, stuffing (made with day old challah), kugel, green beans, cranberries, gravy, potatoes (all homemade!). I ate way too much!
Little Miss fell sound asleep after a few bits of challah in my arms and let us eat our dinner. It was a great way to start our weekend, despite the fact that I had to work on Saturday doing parent conferences. Ahhh.. all weekends should start so beautifully!
The service was , as always, great. Hadarya LOVED the music by Zeji on the guitar. She danced and stared in awe as he played. She was not so interested when the music stopped so we took a few walks around.
The dinner was an early Thanksgiving feast that was beyond superb. Turkey, stuffing (made with day old challah), kugel, green beans, cranberries, gravy, potatoes (all homemade!). I ate way too much!
Little Miss fell sound asleep after a few bits of challah in my arms and let us eat our dinner. It was a great way to start our weekend, despite the fact that I had to work on Saturday doing parent conferences. Ahhh.. all weekends should start so beautifully!
Nov 15, 2007
Day 15 - Honoring My Husband
Tonight was the Bone Marrow Donor Reception. It is the 3rd year we've attended and every year it gets better and better. My amazing husband donated bone marrow in June 2005 to an anonymous recipient who has survived. Tonight was about honoring him and all the other donors who have given of themselves so selflessly. Tonight my husband was the honored guest and his story was told.
I was in tears watching the video of him and Phyllis that was shot during her visit to San Diego in May. I've seen it before. I've heard the story before. It didn't matter. It was still amazing and still heartwarming.
Then my lovely, adorable husband got up to speak in person and share his story. He had not had much notice (he thought he was back up person a couple of weeks ago and then found out he was it when we arrived tonight!), so he took up some notes with him. They were not needed. He spoke from his heart and was genuine and real. It helps that he is a great public speaker, but the audience felt his message and emotions.
Tonight was about him and his act of bravery. Tonight was about us and the decisions we made together to go through with this act. Tonight was about Phyllis and Joel and her survival of 2 1/2 years. Tonight was about God's shining light on us and our daughter arriving in our lives just after the 1 year survival mark. Tonight was about remembering the choices you can make and the difference you can make in someone's life.
The Talmud says that to save someone's life is like saving the world. My husband has saved the world.
I was in tears watching the video of him and Phyllis that was shot during her visit to San Diego in May. I've seen it before. I've heard the story before. It didn't matter. It was still amazing and still heartwarming.
Then my lovely, adorable husband got up to speak in person and share his story. He had not had much notice (he thought he was back up person a couple of weeks ago and then found out he was it when we arrived tonight!), so he took up some notes with him. They were not needed. He spoke from his heart and was genuine and real. It helps that he is a great public speaker, but the audience felt his message and emotions.
Tonight was about him and his act of bravery. Tonight was about us and the decisions we made together to go through with this act. Tonight was about Phyllis and Joel and her survival of 2 1/2 years. Tonight was about God's shining light on us and our daughter arriving in our lives just after the 1 year survival mark. Tonight was about remembering the choices you can make and the difference you can make in someone's life.
The Talmud says that to save someone's life is like saving the world. My husband has saved the world.
Nov 14, 2007
Day 14 - Report Cards Suck
I hate doing Report Cards. They take hours and hours to do. They are electronic and have to be downloaded. Then you have to fill in all the names and information. Then you have to click on every box to fill in the letter grade. There is also a comment section to which I feel compelled to write several sentences.
I shouldn't complain. I only have 20 to do this year. But I also have a life outside school. I have a baby who I want to spend time with and a husband who needs my attention. That does not even touch on the housework, the late hour I get to bed, and the online course I am taking.
It's very late. I am very tired. AND I only have 7 report cards done. Conferences are Saturday. We really should have a 1/2 day sub to finish these on school time. NOT on our weekends and nights.
Let's hope the Princess makes it through the whole night tonight. : )
I shouldn't complain. I only have 20 to do this year. But I also have a life outside school. I have a baby who I want to spend time with and a husband who needs my attention. That does not even touch on the housework, the late hour I get to bed, and the online course I am taking.
It's very late. I am very tired. AND I only have 7 report cards done. Conferences are Saturday. We really should have a 1/2 day sub to finish these on school time. NOT on our weekends and nights.
Let's hope the Princess makes it through the whole night tonight. : )
Nov 13, 2007
Day 13 - What a LONG night!
It's only 6:25 AM but I wish is were later so I'd be closer to going to bed! Hadarya had a really tough night last night. Like none other even when she was sick. We had friends over for our weekly dinner and the girls had so much fun playing together. Hadarya had not had anything to drink all day and was making me very worried. She was so not interested in much of anything except some baby food. Nothing she had to chew.
She would not settle down to go to bed, so we took a drive and she finally fell asleep around 8:10 PM. She went to her bed and woke up screaming her lungs out at 9:30. She could not be calmed down through cuddling, pacifier, or other means. Our friends suggested tylenol and that her screaming was definitely something other than not feeling well.
Shauna to the rescue! Sometimes you have to be able to step back to see a solution. She asked how big H was (22 pounds) and if we still had our swing. She said swings were up to 25 pounds. SO out came the swing from the garage and in went the 13 month old, 22 pound, 30.5 inch baby girl. She was out within 5 minutes.
Repeat all of the above at 2:20 AM and you have our night... including the car ride! She slept until 5:30 and Yiftach brought her to bed where she remained asleep until waking up very happy at 6:30 AM.
Tonight she seems to be much better and drank quite a bit all day including some juice in a bottle this morning. Shauna astuely guessed that that maybe she was teething and indeed it looks like there are at least 2 on top (the fangs) breaking through as well as a back molar. Aahhh... the joys of teething and parenting.
She would not settle down to go to bed, so we took a drive and she finally fell asleep around 8:10 PM. She went to her bed and woke up screaming her lungs out at 9:30. She could not be calmed down through cuddling, pacifier, or other means. Our friends suggested tylenol and that her screaming was definitely something other than not feeling well.
Shauna to the rescue! Sometimes you have to be able to step back to see a solution. She asked how big H was (22 pounds) and if we still had our swing. She said swings were up to 25 pounds. SO out came the swing from the garage and in went the 13 month old, 22 pound, 30.5 inch baby girl. She was out within 5 minutes.
Repeat all of the above at 2:20 AM and you have our night... including the car ride! She slept until 5:30 and Yiftach brought her to bed where she remained asleep until waking up very happy at 6:30 AM.
Tonight she seems to be much better and drank quite a bit all day including some juice in a bottle this morning. Shauna astuely guessed that that maybe she was teething and indeed it looks like there are at least 2 on top (the fangs) breaking through as well as a back molar. Aahhh... the joys of teething and parenting.
Nov 12, 2007
Day 12 - Laundry
All about laundry today. I thought we'd just done our clothes but I guess we wore a ton and it seemed to be overflowing. Since Hadarya's been sick for the last 10 days we've also not taken care of our towels and sheets and whatnot. So... the day started with a whole house vacuum and laundry. 6 loads done and one more of the baby's things still to go. Whew!
Then our friends called. We have dinner once a week at our houses and it was their turn to host. They'd hosted for the last few times as we've had to cancel our weeks due to a sick baby or other conflicts. Shauna called at 1 and asked if they could come to our house instead. I had offered since we'd been there so many times! Of course, we said. AND can we bring our laundry? she asked. Their machine was broken and had not been fixed. In between dinner, dessert, baths, and talking, they managed to do 5 loads themselves.
We love our washer/dryer that my parents bought us when we moved into the house. It was amazing today completing 10 loads of clean clothes. Our dinner party became a folding laundry party and we all are ready for the week!
Then our friends called. We have dinner once a week at our houses and it was their turn to host. They'd hosted for the last few times as we've had to cancel our weeks due to a sick baby or other conflicts. Shauna called at 1 and asked if they could come to our house instead. I had offered since we'd been there so many times! Of course, we said. AND can we bring our laundry? she asked. Their machine was broken and had not been fixed. In between dinner, dessert, baths, and talking, they managed to do 5 loads themselves.
We love our washer/dryer that my parents bought us when we moved into the house. It was amazing today completing 10 loads of clean clothes. Our dinner party became a folding laundry party and we all are ready for the week!
Nov 11, 2007
Day 11 - Just as Powerful Year #5
4,500 walkers. 600 crew. Hundreds of volunteers. San Jose Police on bikes. Safety crew on motorcycles. Strangers 3 days ago - united by a common cause.
Today was my 5th closing ceremony for the Breast Cancer 3 Day. We left the baby at home (hard decision but the right one!) and although I debated about whether or not I should actually attend right up until the last moment, I am so glad I went.
Cheering on the walkers as they entered Petco Park was a never ending line of beautiful women and men who had spent 3 days walking 60 miles, raised $2200 each, and traveled away from families to sleep in a tent for 3 days.
The walk to the closing ceremonies was lined with thousands of people cheering on the crew and the walkers. We lined the area and cheered the walkers into the outer ring. Then the crew moved into our circle and we all raised our shoes to the inner circle of survivors.
I have heard the same or similar words for 5 years. I never get tired of the same silly jokes about porta-potties. I never get tired of hearing about the kindness that we deal with for 3 days. I never get tired of being reminded that no one is going to cheer for me when I get to work. The tears still well up and I remember how lucky I am to be here; to be alive; to be able to participate.
Our mission is not complete. Breast cancer is not eradicated. We have to keep walking until a cure is found. Getting ready for year #6...2008.
Today was my 5th closing ceremony for the Breast Cancer 3 Day. We left the baby at home (hard decision but the right one!) and although I debated about whether or not I should actually attend right up until the last moment, I am so glad I went.
Cheering on the walkers as they entered Petco Park was a never ending line of beautiful women and men who had spent 3 days walking 60 miles, raised $2200 each, and traveled away from families to sleep in a tent for 3 days.
The walk to the closing ceremonies was lined with thousands of people cheering on the crew and the walkers. We lined the area and cheered the walkers into the outer ring. Then the crew moved into our circle and we all raised our shoes to the inner circle of survivors.
I have heard the same or similar words for 5 years. I never get tired of the same silly jokes about porta-potties. I never get tired of hearing about the kindness that we deal with for 3 days. I never get tired of being reminded that no one is going to cheer for me when I get to work. The tears still well up and I remember how lucky I am to be here; to be alive; to be able to participate.
Our mission is not complete. Breast cancer is not eradicated. We have to keep walking until a cure is found. Getting ready for year #6...2008.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)