It's been a busy few weeks since Hadarya became 9 months old and we've done so many new things. The best was the beach. We packed ourselves up early Sunday morning and drove to Coronado and met friends before 9 AM. We schlepped a sleeping baby in a car seat miles in the sand to reach our destination, a cooler of drinks and food, a beach bag filled to the brim, and went back to the car for the chairs and umbrellas. It was so worth it!
Hadarya LOVED the beach. She had so much fun we can't wait to go back again. When she woke up she looked around and smiled the biggest smile ever. We plopped her on the ground on a towel and gave her toy. She played for a few minutes and then scooted herself to a spot where she could mush the sand. SO, off she moved to be right in the thick of things. She found the sand fun, the seaweed not so tasty, and laughed at the things her friends Davia and Aidin did. She could have cared less that there was grainy sand all over her leg and body.
We then scooped up the kids and went to the water. She was thrilled to be sitting in a big bathtub! She splashed and patted the water. She tolerated the pull of the wave on her standing feet and the sensation of the sand moving. She would have stayed all day! We even dipped her in the water to wash off the sand and that made her laugh.
We bundled her up and dried her off with a towel and she sat content on our laps. It was clearly exhausting doing all that playing and we were not surprised when she fell right asleep in the car!
Jul 31, 2007
Jul 23, 2007
On the go Weekend Fun
One busy weekend that left me ready for a day off to recover! BUT so much fun.
Yiftach was the "rabbi" at Tifereth Israel this weekend as the regular was in Israel. So we went to services both Friday night and Saturday morning. Hadarya loves services. She loves the Hebrew. She loves the Torah. She loves being in the environment. It certainly helps that she flashes her cutie patootie smile at anyone and everyone too.
After services, we came home and spent a wonderful late afternoon shabbat with Doda Shlomit, Savta, and cousin Jonah. Eating a yummy lunch in which Hadarya tried Savta's carrot and chicken from the soup. They were a big hit! She loved them. Well, she loves any food and so far has not refused anything as evidenced by her lovely belly!
We then spent some time in the pool in which Hadarya loves to go under and "swim" on her belly. There are lots of photos at the flickr site.
On Sunday we were treated to a marvelous visit with Cousin Janis and Jim from Arizona. Hadarya dressed in her Phoenix Suns outfit from them with tennis shoes and looked quite the cheerleader! We went out for lunch, took a couple of nice walks, played, and got some new toys. Hadarya is now the owner of a delightful set of pots and pans that sing the ABC's and talk to you about what color pan is in the pot and which one is out. She completely loves this toy; especially the noise it makes when she bangs them together! She also has a "walker" that becomes a scooter and she is fascinated by the movement it does when she pushes on it. She is quite adept at walking with holding on to our hands and it's only going to be a short time when she walks with this.
What a fantastic time and great to see so much family!
Yiftach was the "rabbi" at Tifereth Israel this weekend as the regular was in Israel. So we went to services both Friday night and Saturday morning. Hadarya loves services. She loves the Hebrew. She loves the Torah. She loves being in the environment. It certainly helps that she flashes her cutie patootie smile at anyone and everyone too.
After services, we came home and spent a wonderful late afternoon shabbat with Doda Shlomit, Savta, and cousin Jonah. Eating a yummy lunch in which Hadarya tried Savta's carrot and chicken from the soup. They were a big hit! She loved them. Well, she loves any food and so far has not refused anything as evidenced by her lovely belly!
We then spent some time in the pool in which Hadarya loves to go under and "swim" on her belly. There are lots of photos at the flickr site.
On Sunday we were treated to a marvelous visit with Cousin Janis and Jim from Arizona. Hadarya dressed in her Phoenix Suns outfit from them with tennis shoes and looked quite the cheerleader! We went out for lunch, took a couple of nice walks, played, and got some new toys. Hadarya is now the owner of a delightful set of pots and pans that sing the ABC's and talk to you about what color pan is in the pot and which one is out. She completely loves this toy; especially the noise it makes when she bangs them together! She also has a "walker" that becomes a scooter and she is fascinated by the movement it does when she pushes on it. She is quite adept at walking with holding on to our hands and it's only going to be a short time when she walks with this.
What a fantastic time and great to see so much family!
Jul 11, 2007
9 months old
It's unbelievable that Hadarya is 9 months old! How did that happen? I cannot wrap my mind around how time seems to go so quickly. She gets more and more beautiful every day and her personality is extremely delightful.
At 9 months old my daughter has many accomplishments:
1. She broke her first tooth two weeks ago (and boy is it sharp!) Note to self: DO NOT stick your finger inside for a chomp.
2. She does this adorable head tilt to say hello and I love you and in general to get your attention. She knows it will get her huge smiles and laughs.
3. She became a rolly polly last night, doing multiple rolls over and over again and back. She must have entertained herself for 20 minutes rolling around with no specific purpose in mind.
4. She can walk holding onto our hands.
5. She sometimes attempts to pull herself up but is not proficient at that yet. (Thank goodness...we'd really have to move the mattress in her bed down!)
6. She loves loves loves music.
7. Her Leap Frog table is a source of delight and joy for extended periods.
8. She is fascinated with anything that has eyes in it. She stares into the eyes and gets frustrated when they don't respond! Her favorite is a frog that has flashcards attached. She also loves her puppy push toy that she rolls all over the place.
9. She holds her own bottle...well, when she wants to.
10. She holds her arms up to be held or picked up, with the cutest look that no one can resist.
Hadarya Tali you are a joy and delight in our lives!
At 9 months old my daughter has many accomplishments:
1. She broke her first tooth two weeks ago (and boy is it sharp!) Note to self: DO NOT stick your finger inside for a chomp.
2. She does this adorable head tilt to say hello and I love you and in general to get your attention. She knows it will get her huge smiles and laughs.
3. She became a rolly polly last night, doing multiple rolls over and over again and back. She must have entertained herself for 20 minutes rolling around with no specific purpose in mind.
4. She can walk holding onto our hands.
5. She sometimes attempts to pull herself up but is not proficient at that yet. (Thank goodness...we'd really have to move the mattress in her bed down!)
6. She loves loves loves music.
7. Her Leap Frog table is a source of delight and joy for extended periods.
8. She is fascinated with anything that has eyes in it. She stares into the eyes and gets frustrated when they don't respond! Her favorite is a frog that has flashcards attached. She also loves her puppy push toy that she rolls all over the place.
9. She holds her own bottle...well, when she wants to.
10. She holds her arms up to be held or picked up, with the cutest look that no one can resist.
Hadarya Tali you are a joy and delight in our lives!
Jul 9, 2007
Good Luck Charm
I know I go on and on about my good natured, happy, smiley daughter. No apologies. We are blessed with this angel in our lives and she is all about changing the lives of those she meets.
Last night we went to cousin Michael's baseball all-star game. It was right in Santee and close to the house so that made it easy Hadarya fell asleep at 7:04 in her crib with her lovey and pacifier. We scooped her up at 7:20 and put her in the car and headed out. She stayed zonked out in the stroller through two innings and loud cheering.
Then she woke up. She opened her big brown eyes and tried to figure out where she was. I held her and she twirled her head around at the noise and shook a little with the cold air. But she wasn't crying and she wasn't upset. Just figuring it all out.
Michael came up to bat and his team was behind. We called to him to notice Hadarya and his eyes lit up the night. He wandered over to the fence to say hello to her and she reached through the wire to touch him and smiled. She had not smiled since waking up!
Michael went on to hit a double and steal third base. His team was powered up and began hitting and scoring...winning the game and advancing to the next level.
The power of touch and a smile. Boy did she make Michael's night!
Then he got up there and smacked the heck out of that ball for a double and went on to steal thrid.
Last night we went to cousin Michael's baseball all-star game. It was right in Santee and close to the house so that made it easy Hadarya fell asleep at 7:04 in her crib with her lovey and pacifier. We scooped her up at 7:20 and put her in the car and headed out. She stayed zonked out in the stroller through two innings and loud cheering.
Then she woke up. She opened her big brown eyes and tried to figure out where she was. I held her and she twirled her head around at the noise and shook a little with the cold air. But she wasn't crying and she wasn't upset. Just figuring it all out.
Michael came up to bat and his team was behind. We called to him to notice Hadarya and his eyes lit up the night. He wandered over to the fence to say hello to her and she reached through the wire to touch him and smiled. She had not smiled since waking up!
Michael went on to hit a double and steal third base. His team was powered up and began hitting and scoring...winning the game and advancing to the next level.
The power of touch and a smile. Boy did she make Michael's night!
Then he got up there and smacked the heck out of that ball for a double and went on to steal thrid.
Jul 5, 2007
The Unbearbale Cuteness of Our Daughter
My favorite photos of Hadarya taken last weekend on our trip to Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and Foster City, CA visiting Nana and Saba, Igor, Sivan, and Eytan, and Aunt Judy and Uncle Ron.
Nana and Saba:
This is Hadarya's way of saying Hello! I Love you! (she will do this in response to your greeting or if she is seeking your attention because she thinks she is being ignored and she knows no one can resist a side head tilt!)
Igor, Eytan, Yiftach, and Hadarya:
Aunt Judy and Uncle Ron:
Nana and Saba:
This is Hadarya's way of saying Hello! I Love you! (she will do this in response to your greeting or if she is seeking your attention because she thinks she is being ignored and she knows no one can resist a side head tilt!)
Igor, Eytan, Yiftach, and Hadarya:
Aunt Judy and Uncle Ron:
A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words
So, all I'll say is WOW. My husband is an amazing photographer and I am so in love with my daughter, I cannot say enough about it. Enjoy!
Jul 4, 2007
No Planning Made for a FANTASTIC Day!
Happy 4th of July...which meant something totally different this year for many different reasons. #1 -- we have a baby. #2 -- the holiday was on a Wednesday; hence no long weekend to get away. #3 -- most of our close friends were out of town or had other plans. So we just never made plans. We just got busy with our regular lives and being out of town last weekend. LIFE just got in our way of making a big deal out of the 4th and quite frankly our disgust with politics, government, and treatment of those defending our country just didn't have us in the traditional July 4th party mood.
BUT never fear, because our unplanned day was remarkable, thanks to Lisa and Animal Crackers, and flexible Grandparents.
We had a picnic in the park with our play group for adoptive parents and kids who meet every week on Wednesday mornings, but I can never go because I work. Lisa had the fortuitous idea to still get together and include the hubbies! Dinosaur Park was filled with our 10 families and their kids. Good food, great company, and lots of laughs started our day off well beyond anything we could have tried to plan. AND our little Miss???? She slept through most of it! But when she awoke, she had a blast.
We then had lunch with Savta and walked around the beach at Coronado and took in the sun, the sea, and the masses of people. The day was beautiful and warm and Hadarya snoozed again! We had a wonderful time just hanging out. Savta had a new toy for Hadarya to play with... the classic Fischer Price toy where you push, pull, turn a knob and an animal pops up. You push it down and start all over again. H figured it out pretty quickly and loved sitting on Savta's balcony with the gorgeous flowers trying to make it work.
We ended our day with dinner with Grandma and Grandpa at our house and a bath in our new ducky tub. Hadarya showed off her standing legs at her Leap Frog table, pulled the buttons to make music for them, and showered Grandma with head tilts. (Her lovely way of saying hello, I Love you!) She went to bed at 7 and we enjoyed a nice adult dinner and conversation with my parents. No fireworks for us this year, but it didn't matter. We could see them in the eyes of our daughter all day long and our parents when they played with her. Who needs the loud ones that go boom?
BUT never fear, because our unplanned day was remarkable, thanks to Lisa and Animal Crackers, and flexible Grandparents.
We had a picnic in the park with our play group for adoptive parents and kids who meet every week on Wednesday mornings, but I can never go because I work. Lisa had the fortuitous idea to still get together and include the hubbies! Dinosaur Park was filled with our 10 families and their kids. Good food, great company, and lots of laughs started our day off well beyond anything we could have tried to plan. AND our little Miss???? She slept through most of it! But when she awoke, she had a blast.
We then had lunch with Savta and walked around the beach at Coronado and took in the sun, the sea, and the masses of people. The day was beautiful and warm and Hadarya snoozed again! We had a wonderful time just hanging out. Savta had a new toy for Hadarya to play with... the classic Fischer Price toy where you push, pull, turn a knob and an animal pops up. You push it down and start all over again. H figured it out pretty quickly and loved sitting on Savta's balcony with the gorgeous flowers trying to make it work.
We ended our day with dinner with Grandma and Grandpa at our house and a bath in our new ducky tub. Hadarya showed off her standing legs at her Leap Frog table, pulled the buttons to make music for them, and showered Grandma with head tilts. (Her lovely way of saying hello, I Love you!) She went to bed at 7 and we enjoyed a nice adult dinner and conversation with my parents. No fireworks for us this year, but it didn't matter. We could see them in the eyes of our daughter all day long and our parents when they played with her. Who needs the loud ones that go boom?
Jul 2, 2007
First Day ~ at SDSU. . .
Well, not really college yet, but if she keeps learning so fast, she'll be ready in no time at all!
Hadarya started daycare at the Children's Center at SDSU today. She is going M-W-F from 8 AM - Noon for the month of July. Then she'll go until 4 PM when I return to work in August. Grandma plays with her Tuesday and Thursday.
I started summer school the same day and was so busy as the site lead (acting Principal) that I did not have time to worry about my daughter. Which would have been wasted energy anyway!
Hadarya was amazing. Yiftach took her at 8 AM and stayed with her playing for about 20 minutes and said good-bye. She hardly noticed. According to Miss Alissa, she ate breakfast with gusto sitting at the table on a chair and then got a little whiny about 9. (She got up at 6 AM, so naptime was just around the corner!).
Sure enough, into the nap room, onto her cot with her lovey and pacifier, and she rolled over and slept for two hours! She woke up without a fuss and was so intrigued by her surroundings she didn't want a bottle.
Yiftach went over about 11:45 and I arrived at 12:02 and she was happy as could be, busy as could be, and having a ton of fun.
Most of the other kids were napping so there were only about 4 awake at this time. Lots of one on one attention, which is lovely. She was ready for other people and stimulation and she is going to have so much fun.
The quality in this program is bar none and worth every penny we are going to spend for her care. She has access to toys that are different, books that are different, and a huge outside play area where the kids spend time every day. The best part is the care given to her by the loving teachers who are all child development majors and who know so much about kids.
So far so good...we can't wait for her friend Davia to come back from vacation and be there to play with!
Hadarya started daycare at the Children's Center at SDSU today. She is going M-W-F from 8 AM - Noon for the month of July. Then she'll go until 4 PM when I return to work in August. Grandma plays with her Tuesday and Thursday.
I started summer school the same day and was so busy as the site lead (acting Principal) that I did not have time to worry about my daughter. Which would have been wasted energy anyway!
Hadarya was amazing. Yiftach took her at 8 AM and stayed with her playing for about 20 minutes and said good-bye. She hardly noticed. According to Miss Alissa, she ate breakfast with gusto sitting at the table on a chair and then got a little whiny about 9. (She got up at 6 AM, so naptime was just around the corner!).
Sure enough, into the nap room, onto her cot with her lovey and pacifier, and she rolled over and slept for two hours! She woke up without a fuss and was so intrigued by her surroundings she didn't want a bottle.
Yiftach went over about 11:45 and I arrived at 12:02 and she was happy as could be, busy as could be, and having a ton of fun.
Most of the other kids were napping so there were only about 4 awake at this time. Lots of one on one attention, which is lovely. She was ready for other people and stimulation and she is going to have so much fun.
The quality in this program is bar none and worth every penny we are going to spend for her care. She has access to toys that are different, books that are different, and a huge outside play area where the kids spend time every day. The best part is the care given to her by the loving teachers who are all child development majors and who know so much about kids.
So far so good...we can't wait for her friend Davia to come back from vacation and be there to play with!
Jun 22, 2007
Here Comes Summer
It is the first full day of the summer season and my last teaching 4th grade. I spent the day inside a classroom with 26 kids, 30+ boxes all labeled for the move that will take place at some time before the next school year begins but with no guarantees that I'll have any time to unpack and set up, and thoughts of my daughter in my head.
I made it to Grandma's and Grandpa's by 3:55 PM to pick up my darling. She was having a ball playing on their bed and rolling over and they kept screaming with joy at something she'd accomplish. I am sure most of you heard their shrieks of delight!
Then in walks Eema (that's me, the mommy!)and she turns on the whine. The sort of cry and jumps into my arms. She is ready for her bottle and she willingly gulps it down. She no longer wants the bottle from me. She does not want to sit and play. She does not want any of the other adults in the room. It's time to go home.
We arrive home and Eema is SOOO hot and sweaty that she wants to tear off all her clothes. But the beautiful baby is still clingy (that does not help the hot sweaty situation) and all the phones are ringing. So we head to our bed and turn on the ceiling fan and the now almost naked baby laughs and coos in the coolness.
As has become my habit, I run my finger over her gums on top and bottom because she's drooling a ton and is 8.3 months old and has no teeth. Until today... that's right, I ran my finger over her bottom gum and she bit down and OH MY GOSH DID THAT HURT! Lo and behold there is a sharp edge that got me. Hadarya Tali has her first tooth broken through the gum. I was so excited and yelled and whooped it up. You cannot see it, but it is clearly there. What a great start to summer AND I GOT TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO EXPERIENCE IT!
Then Aba (her daddy) came home and I told him that Tamar and Aidin had invited us over for a swim. Hadarya has never been but loves her bath and we were all hot, so we changed lickity split into suits and drove to their house. No words can describe the first flirtation with a pool. See for yourself and know that she went under twice and plopped her face into the water willingly while sitting in her ladybug. She loved every minute of the 40 we were in the water. Swim lessons here we come!
Jun 18, 2007
Fabulous Fathers
We spent a wonderful day with the fathers in our family in San Diego and Yiftach had his first celebration. We started off with a yummy breakfast at Megan's in San Carlos and stuffed ourselves on chocolate chip pancakes made special for us.
Then we were off for fun at the San Diego Fair (thanks Jeanne for the tickets!) and my dad had a ball seeing the animals and wood exhibit. He loves the same things every year and we always trapse around the exhibits. We spent time wandering through the vendors and having fun looking for nothing but finding everything. The best buy of the day was a cell phone clip hanger. Amazing technology to hold your phone but link it on to anything and strong strong strong! It's kind of like Hadarya's links but on a cell!
We spent the afternoon hanging out at our house playing with the baby and watching The Pursuit of Happyness. It was a fantastic movie! Then off to takes the first Father's day photos of my girl and her daddy who is smitten to pieces.
Dinner at Sipz rounded off a very nice relaxing Sunday. Happy Father's Day Yiftach; my darling husband and amazing father whom I love very very much. xo
Then we were off for fun at the San Diego Fair (thanks Jeanne for the tickets!) and my dad had a ball seeing the animals and wood exhibit. He loves the same things every year and we always trapse around the exhibits. We spent time wandering through the vendors and having fun looking for nothing but finding everything. The best buy of the day was a cell phone clip hanger. Amazing technology to hold your phone but link it on to anything and strong strong strong! It's kind of like Hadarya's links but on a cell!
We spent the afternoon hanging out at our house playing with the baby and watching The Pursuit of Happyness. It was a fantastic movie! Then off to takes the first Father's day photos of my girl and her daddy who is smitten to pieces.
Dinner at Sipz rounded off a very nice relaxing Sunday. Happy Father's Day Yiftach; my darling husband and amazing father whom I love very very much. xo
Jun 17, 2007
The Smell of Summer
The sweet smell of summer is here and it's on my baby girl! Sunscreen mixed with heat and sweat on a lazy day in the park. We had a picnic in the park and swung on the swings. Hadarya smelled like sand and sweat and heat and sun, and in desperate need of a bath. Absolutely Delightful!
Jun 12, 2007
Learning Something New
Every day you should learn something. I have loved keeping a blog and am not nearly fluent enough to make my posts very exciting nor do I keep up to date enough. I know there are a lot of you out there regularly checking and so I wanted to make it more enjoyable for you to read about our excitement with each day that our daughter grows and learns. Since we expect her to learn everyday, we should also be learning right along with her!
Thanks to Aaryn I can now add links to cool things and I learned how to add links to my actual blog. Check out her amazing daughter, brilliant photos, and superb writing that will make you laugh out loud at www.rubysohoadventures.com
AND I figured out how to add photos. I do not have any recent photos on my computer so this adorable one of my baby girl at birth will have to do. Please enjoy the photo and check out my other posts for added photos after this weekend!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks to Aaryn I can now add links to cool things and I learned how to add links to my actual blog. Check out her amazing daughter, brilliant photos, and superb writing that will make you laugh out loud at www.rubysohoadventures.com
AND I figured out how to add photos. I do not have any recent photos on my computer so this adorable one of my baby girl at birth will have to do. Please enjoy the photo and check out my other posts for added photos after this weekend!
Thanks for reading!
Jun 11, 2007
Just Tired
I am just tired. Not because my sweet baby isn't sleeping. Oh she is! It's that I am not getting to bed when she does and what a happy person I'd be if I went to sleep at 7:00 PM!
There is just too much to do at this time of year and I can't fit it all in. I am overwhelmed.
1. I am changing grade levels next year and have my head in two places. Wrapping up 4th grade and thinking about 1st grade.
2. I am in charge of the yearbook and am way late on getting it together. (Thank goodness for a dedicated parent willing to help out!)
3. I may have to pack up my classroom and move...but not until the summer on my own time the week before school starts.
4. I have report cards to do.
5. I have end of the year placement to do.
6. I have papers to grade and record.
7. I have assessment sheets to bubble in for scanning.
8. I am trying to run a home business (and doing a very poor job of it at the moment!)
9. I have to go to the bank.
10. I have to mail birthday presents to my cousins from two months ago.
11. I have to get a graduation present for Thursday.
12. I am beginning the procedures for an IUI with drugs and am very nervous.
13. I need more time in the day and less responsibility.
14. I wish I could go to sleep at 7:30 and not worry about anything else.
15. I am tired and it's only Monday.
There is just too much to do at this time of year and I can't fit it all in. I am overwhelmed.
1. I am changing grade levels next year and have my head in two places. Wrapping up 4th grade and thinking about 1st grade.
2. I am in charge of the yearbook and am way late on getting it together. (Thank goodness for a dedicated parent willing to help out!)
3. I may have to pack up my classroom and move...but not until the summer on my own time the week before school starts.
4. I have report cards to do.
5. I have end of the year placement to do.
6. I have papers to grade and record.
7. I have assessment sheets to bubble in for scanning.
8. I am trying to run a home business (and doing a very poor job of it at the moment!)
9. I have to go to the bank.
10. I have to mail birthday presents to my cousins from two months ago.
11. I have to get a graduation present for Thursday.
12. I am beginning the procedures for an IUI with drugs and am very nervous.
13. I need more time in the day and less responsibility.
14. I wish I could go to sleep at 7:30 and not worry about anything else.
15. I am tired and it's only Monday.
Jun 3, 2007
Signs of High Intellect
Like many of our friends, and current trends, we have decided to use simple Baby Signs with Hadarya so that she can communicate with us before she has the language. While she makes many noises, talks all day long, and had some clear indicators of wanting specific things, she needs other ways to let us know what she wants.
She now has a sound like a high pitched "eeeeeee" when she is hungry. We have been very consistent with the sign for more and all done. We added in food a little bit and milk/bottle more regularly.
Well, tonight, at 7 months 3 weeks old, it paid off! Our highly intelligent daughter CLEARLY signed "more" when I was done giving her dinner. She made the sign a few times before we realized what she was doing. When I got her more food, she happily ate 1/3 more of the spinach and potatoes and the rest of the carrots. After another bite of squash she clamped her mouth tight and turned away to indicate she was done.
She can also clap, but that is very different that more. She did clap. . . after I gave her more food!
It was so cool. I can't wait for "more!"
She now has a sound like a high pitched "eeeeeee" when she is hungry. We have been very consistent with the sign for more and all done. We added in food a little bit and milk/bottle more regularly.
Well, tonight, at 7 months 3 weeks old, it paid off! Our highly intelligent daughter CLEARLY signed "more" when I was done giving her dinner. She made the sign a few times before we realized what she was doing. When I got her more food, she happily ate 1/3 more of the spinach and potatoes and the rest of the carrots. After another bite of squash she clamped her mouth tight and turned away to indicate she was done.
She can also clap, but that is very different that more. She did clap. . . after I gave her more food!
It was so cool. I can't wait for "more!"
Beautiful Body
Last night, Saturday, June 2nd, we stayed out way past Hadarya's bedtime. We were having a carb loading dinner with our friends from LA running in the Rock and Roll Marathon today.
Being the trooper that she is, Hadarya fell asleep in the car, woke while we waited in an enormously long long long line at Fillipi's in Little Italy, finished her bottle and snoozed through the rest of the line and dinner.
She had decided not to take much of an afternoon nap, so she was pretty zonked.
Zonked enough, that when we got home and changed her diaper and took off her dirty clothes AND put her in her pajamas, she NEVER WOKE UP! The newest photo on flickr is testament to my daughter's gorgeous body, long legs, and sacked out sleepiness during this entire endeavor.
She then treated us to sleeping in until just after 7 AM.
Lovely. In all senses of the word.
Being the trooper that she is, Hadarya fell asleep in the car, woke while we waited in an enormously long long long line at Fillipi's in Little Italy, finished her bottle and snoozed through the rest of the line and dinner.
She had decided not to take much of an afternoon nap, so she was pretty zonked.
Zonked enough, that when we got home and changed her diaper and took off her dirty clothes AND put her in her pajamas, she NEVER WOKE UP! The newest photo on flickr is testament to my daughter's gorgeous body, long legs, and sacked out sleepiness during this entire endeavor.
She then treated us to sleeping in until just after 7 AM.
Lovely. In all senses of the word.
May 14, 2007
Marvelous Mother's Day!
For 37 years, Mother's Day has been about my Mom and Grandma Helen when she was alive. It has become a day to make sure that we all get together and do something (well, whatever my mom wants to do!) and as our lives continue to get busier, this day has been fun. We've been to lunch and the movies, shoppping, hanging out at our house after brunch, and just being together.
This year, my first Mother's Day, I decided to be selfish and I told my mom. I would have breakfast with her in the morning but I wanted to have a day without making decisions, without cooking, without hassle. Oh yeah... and I wanted my husband to step up and plan it so I wouldn't have to think about anything! She was actually ok with that and so our day began.
It was a lovely day full of wonderful moments and special memories. My family surprised me with gifts- a lovely card from my husband, gorgeous sunflowers and a to my sister card from my sister, and to my daughter card with a gift card for Glen Ivy from my parents. Breakfast was Yiftach's specialty: chocolate chip pancakes and then we ventured off as a new family of 3 for the remainder of our day.
We took Mother's Day photos at a photo place and headed to...... THE BALLPARK! Yiftach had purchased seats behind home plate with the cushions for us. We had a ball! Hadarya slept for just over an hour of the 2 hour game and it was great to be so close.
We ended our day with dinner with my mother-in-law at CPK (terrible service so we won't mention anymore about dinner) and dessert at HEAVEN SENT. Ya gotta go check this place out on University and 30th street. The food is divine, the tea superb, the cappuchino scrumptious, and the owner personable. Lachlan was working the cash register and then came to see how everything was and ended up sitting with us at the table and sharing his amazing story of how Heaven Sent came to be. A place to go to hang out. Take out of town friends. Catch up with your husband. Watch Charlie Chaplin movies. You don't need a reason to go. JUST GO!
I had a lovely first mother's day and know that there will be many more lovely days as a mommy!
This year, my first Mother's Day, I decided to be selfish and I told my mom. I would have breakfast with her in the morning but I wanted to have a day without making decisions, without cooking, without hassle. Oh yeah... and I wanted my husband to step up and plan it so I wouldn't have to think about anything! She was actually ok with that and so our day began.
It was a lovely day full of wonderful moments and special memories. My family surprised me with gifts- a lovely card from my husband, gorgeous sunflowers and a to my sister card from my sister, and to my daughter card with a gift card for Glen Ivy from my parents. Breakfast was Yiftach's specialty: chocolate chip pancakes and then we ventured off as a new family of 3 for the remainder of our day.
We took Mother's Day photos at a photo place and headed to...... THE BALLPARK! Yiftach had purchased seats behind home plate with the cushions for us. We had a ball! Hadarya slept for just over an hour of the 2 hour game and it was great to be so close.
We ended our day with dinner with my mother-in-law at CPK (terrible service so we won't mention anymore about dinner) and dessert at HEAVEN SENT. Ya gotta go check this place out on University and 30th street. The food is divine, the tea superb, the cappuchino scrumptious, and the owner personable. Lachlan was working the cash register and then came to see how everything was and ended up sitting with us at the table and sharing his amazing story of how Heaven Sent came to be. A place to go to hang out. Take out of town friends. Catch up with your husband. Watch Charlie Chaplin movies. You don't need a reason to go. JUST GO!
I had a lovely first mother's day and know that there will be many more lovely days as a mommy!
May 10, 2007
Baby Bliss
As each day passes I fall more in love with my daughter. The change that took place last week has completely let my heart fall to pieces whenever I am around her and it's all I can do to tear myself away and hold a conversation with another human being when Hadarya's there.
I leave work as soon as possible to be with her and revel in her and play with her. No matter what I do, she loves it! Tonight it was while I was changing out of work clothes into a tank and shorts. She was laying on our bed looking at me and she began to giggle. I had on the tank top and turned towards her and said "whoa, whoa." and she busted up. I did this for 10 mintues with a sway of my hip and sassy look over my shoulder at my beauty staring into my eyes.
After bathtime, we read books and she loved that I used her hand to go over the words and point out the pictures. At 6:50 PM she was ready for 1/2 a bottle and then she refused it... she wanted her pacifier and to go to sleep! She cuddled with me and then sacked in her crib. She is a vision of beauty laying on her side, snuggled with her taggie close to her face and her blanket over her. It's all I can do to not pick her up out of the crib to snuggle bunny with her!
Oh, does it get any better than this? I can't wait for each day and each new thing she learns and does. Summer is going to be a blast!
May 4, 2007
Legally and Officially Ours
Yesterday, Thursday, May 3, 2007 was our day in court... well, really our MOMENT in court. We have waited for and anticipated and been anxious for the signed documents that would give us final legality for this precious baby girl whom we met the second she was born into this world.
With each step along the way we moved closer to this day: We filed the required paperwork within 10 days to adopt this baby girl, STEP 1. 30 days passed without hearing from the birth mom, STEP 2. We met with the Independent Social Worker who filed papers to locate the alleged birth father, STEP 3. We sought a birth certificate to prove to the court that a baby girl without a given name was actually born on 10-08-06; which took several attempts! STEP 4. We filed paperwork to terminate the alleged father's rights, STEP 5. We waited to hear from the social worker that her searching was done and she filed her paperwork, STEP 6. We received documents in March that the alleged father's rights were terminated, STEP 7. We finally got a date in court to sign the documents, STEP 8. All of this took us 5 days shy of Hadarya's 7 month birthday.
We dressed up in matching color clothes. We went out to lunch. We invited friends and family. We put a bow in our daughter's hair. We drove around and around looking for parking at the court. We waited 20 minutes to be called in to the court through a lovely courtyard where we took photos. We were invited to sit down and our friends tubmbled in behind us.
I think we'd signed our names in two places on two pieces of paper before anyone else got the chance to sit down. And that was our moment in court. It was over before it really started. We were handed our copies and told we could take a photo with the judge.
It was our moment in court and while incredibly significant, this was about the change not the ritual (as put by our dear friend Scott!) and that made all the difference.
With each step along the way we moved closer to this day: We filed the required paperwork within 10 days to adopt this baby girl, STEP 1. 30 days passed without hearing from the birth mom, STEP 2. We met with the Independent Social Worker who filed papers to locate the alleged birth father, STEP 3. We sought a birth certificate to prove to the court that a baby girl without a given name was actually born on 10-08-06; which took several attempts! STEP 4. We filed paperwork to terminate the alleged father's rights, STEP 5. We waited to hear from the social worker that her searching was done and she filed her paperwork, STEP 6. We received documents in March that the alleged father's rights were terminated, STEP 7. We finally got a date in court to sign the documents, STEP 8. All of this took us 5 days shy of Hadarya's 7 month birthday.
We dressed up in matching color clothes. We went out to lunch. We invited friends and family. We put a bow in our daughter's hair. We drove around and around looking for parking at the court. We waited 20 minutes to be called in to the court through a lovely courtyard where we took photos. We were invited to sit down and our friends tubmbled in behind us.
I think we'd signed our names in two places on two pieces of paper before anyone else got the chance to sit down. And that was our moment in court. It was over before it really started. We were handed our copies and told we could take a photo with the judge.
It was our moment in court and while incredibly significant, this was about the change not the ritual (as put by our dear friend Scott!) and that made all the difference.
May 1, 2007
Rolls-Royce of Strollers
We purchased a new stroller. Actually, our it's our first stroller purchase as the other 5 we have are all loaners or hand me downs. Now there is nothing wrong with a hand-me down or loaner. But they all serve different stages and different purposes and none of them were working for us at this time.
1. 2 Snap-N-Go's -- both on loan and both are fabulous. The Grandma's use them regularly and as long as Hadarya is asleep or realtively happy to be laying backwards, they are superb. HIGHLY recommended.
2. 1 Peg big stroller -- from great friends from their son who is now over 3 years old. Super for laying her down and letting her sleep. The bar is too far for her to reach with toys as she is still too little and short, so she gets frustrated. The straps are also too big for her tiny size still. She's just not quite ready... more toddlerish.
3. Umbrella ---ditto above. Later on we'll love it, I'm sure!
4. Lightweight 14 lb sit up stroller -- shower gift. This is a great stroller and if she is awake she does well in it. The bar with toys is way too high for her to enjoy and she has to sit very straight, but it's easy and light and works pretty well.
So we've been carrying #1 and #4 in our car everywhere we go to accommodate a sleeping in the carseat child or a need to sit up big girl child. It's getting difficult to manage two in one car at one time!
It turns out that Graco now makes a stroller that matches our car seat in single and double and that means that the car seat would fit right in! Thereby eliminating the need for 2 strollers. We test drove them both at Babies R Us. We listened to advice from our friend (thanks Shauna!) about the hopes that we have to add to our family in the next year and a half and looked at the double stroller. She suggested not buying a single now and then a double in a year.
So that's what we did... we purchased a double stroller in chocolate brown and green that matches our car seat and is beyond any good description. Our daughter is riding in style and comfort beyond what we realized we needed!
Graco has created a stroller by combining the best of all the others! The stroller has the ability to snap in 2 car seats at the same time. OR you can take of the front bar and add snack/drink cups for a toddler. The bottom basket collapses so you can reach it when a sleeping child is in the back. The back and front seats have 3 positions and both have huge canopy covers. The front wheels spin all the way around or lock into place if you prefer. The brake is one bar that controls the whole back. There is a removeable soft sided holder for cell phone, keys, glasses, etc... (pretty large) plus 2 removeable cup holders (so you can wash them). It has regular handles to pushwith your palms down and upright handles to hold on to like a bike (good place to hang shopping bags too!).
While a double stroller might seems sort of extravagant and could not end up being what we need in the future, it really gives us the option to allow Hadarya to stay asleep in her carseat attached and then if she wakes up, to sit up in the front and see what is going on. We can also take along a friend wherever we go and that means one less hassle with another stroller in crowded places.
The best part is how much Hadarya loves it! She sat in the front in our house for 40 minutes playing with the stroller toy that she could reach. She took a 2 hour nap at a noisy outdoor festival and didn't want to wake up because she was so comfortable stretched out in the back. AND... it is a one handed fold that locks immediately. EASY to do while holding a child. I was impressed with the ease in which I could do this with Hadarya in my arms.
So our baby girl gets an amazing new mode of transportation and one that we hope will inspire our minds with positive focus on bringing another child into our family in the near future.
1. 2 Snap-N-Go's -- both on loan and both are fabulous. The Grandma's use them regularly and as long as Hadarya is asleep or realtively happy to be laying backwards, they are superb. HIGHLY recommended.
2. 1 Peg big stroller -- from great friends from their son who is now over 3 years old. Super for laying her down and letting her sleep. The bar is too far for her to reach with toys as she is still too little and short, so she gets frustrated. The straps are also too big for her tiny size still. She's just not quite ready... more toddlerish.
3. Umbrella ---ditto above. Later on we'll love it, I'm sure!
4. Lightweight 14 lb sit up stroller -- shower gift. This is a great stroller and if she is awake she does well in it. The bar with toys is way too high for her to enjoy and she has to sit very straight, but it's easy and light and works pretty well.
So we've been carrying #1 and #4 in our car everywhere we go to accommodate a sleeping in the carseat child or a need to sit up big girl child. It's getting difficult to manage two in one car at one time!
It turns out that Graco now makes a stroller that matches our car seat in single and double and that means that the car seat would fit right in! Thereby eliminating the need for 2 strollers. We test drove them both at Babies R Us. We listened to advice from our friend (thanks Shauna!) about the hopes that we have to add to our family in the next year and a half and looked at the double stroller. She suggested not buying a single now and then a double in a year.
So that's what we did... we purchased a double stroller in chocolate brown and green that matches our car seat and is beyond any good description. Our daughter is riding in style and comfort beyond what we realized we needed!
Graco has created a stroller by combining the best of all the others! The stroller has the ability to snap in 2 car seats at the same time. OR you can take of the front bar and add snack/drink cups for a toddler. The bottom basket collapses so you can reach it when a sleeping child is in the back. The back and front seats have 3 positions and both have huge canopy covers. The front wheels spin all the way around or lock into place if you prefer. The brake is one bar that controls the whole back. There is a removeable soft sided holder for cell phone, keys, glasses, etc... (pretty large) plus 2 removeable cup holders (so you can wash them). It has regular handles to pushwith your palms down and upright handles to hold on to like a bike (good place to hang shopping bags too!).
While a double stroller might seems sort of extravagant and could not end up being what we need in the future, it really gives us the option to allow Hadarya to stay asleep in her carseat attached and then if she wakes up, to sit up in the front and see what is going on. We can also take along a friend wherever we go and that means one less hassle with another stroller in crowded places.
The best part is how much Hadarya loves it! She sat in the front in our house for 40 minutes playing with the stroller toy that she could reach. She took a 2 hour nap at a noisy outdoor festival and didn't want to wake up because she was so comfortable stretched out in the back. AND... it is a one handed fold that locks immediately. EASY to do while holding a child. I was impressed with the ease in which I could do this with Hadarya in my arms.
So our baby girl gets an amazing new mode of transportation and one that we hope will inspire our minds with positive focus on bringing another child into our family in the near future.
Apr 18, 2007
The Burning Bush
Passover is my favorite holiday. I love the idea of cleaning the house and setting out special dishes and doing a lot of baking and cooking. I love having family around and telling the story of our ancestors. I love the time we all spend together and the yummy foods.
Hadarya's first Passover was spent at "Uncle" Eli's and "Aunt" Susie's house. We had made arrangements to be guests this year since we were going to be on vacation until the day before and all of our immediate families has plans to be other places! It turns out (due to the health issues mentioned in previous post) that my immediate family was in town and joined us too. It was a night to remember and we have photos to prove it!
Hadarya has been laughing out loud for some time. She has a great laugh, a funny giggle, and infectious belly laugh. It's easy to get her to laugh and you can do lots of things to illicit any of the above responses. Tickle her under the arms, play peek-a-boo, get items out of the basket from her stroller (over and over and over again) and she thinks it's a game; hide behind the wall and come out into the doorway;jump on the couch cushions or blow raspberries on her belly with a rough beard.
The creative minds of the Meltzer clan decided to do a shortened children's Passover seder that included props, scripts, and music. The big kids sat around the dining room table and the adults stood on the outside. I was at the far end of the room holding Hadarya while the play was being performed at the other end. She sat her in pretty dress and watched what was going on. At the point in which the burning bush showed up, Hadarya broke into spontaneous hysterical laughter. Jennifer held the bush up but had not started moving it or shaking it and huge giggles erupted from our side of the room. She laughed so hard and for so long, that everyone else was laughing with her. The photos on flicker show her big giggles and the responses of everyone else.
I feel safe to say that my daughter loves Passover as much as I do. I hope that continues as she gets bigger and gets to help clean the house!
Hadarya's first Passover was spent at "Uncle" Eli's and "Aunt" Susie's house. We had made arrangements to be guests this year since we were going to be on vacation until the day before and all of our immediate families has plans to be other places! It turns out (due to the health issues mentioned in previous post) that my immediate family was in town and joined us too. It was a night to remember and we have photos to prove it!
Hadarya has been laughing out loud for some time. She has a great laugh, a funny giggle, and infectious belly laugh. It's easy to get her to laugh and you can do lots of things to illicit any of the above responses. Tickle her under the arms, play peek-a-boo, get items out of the basket from her stroller (over and over and over again) and she thinks it's a game; hide behind the wall and come out into the doorway;jump on the couch cushions or blow raspberries on her belly with a rough beard.
The creative minds of the Meltzer clan decided to do a shortened children's Passover seder that included props, scripts, and music. The big kids sat around the dining room table and the adults stood on the outside. I was at the far end of the room holding Hadarya while the play was being performed at the other end. She sat her in pretty dress and watched what was going on. At the point in which the burning bush showed up, Hadarya broke into spontaneous hysterical laughter. Jennifer held the bush up but had not started moving it or shaking it and huge giggles erupted from our side of the room. She laughed so hard and for so long, that everyone else was laughing with her. The photos on flicker show her big giggles and the responses of everyone else.
I feel safe to say that my daughter loves Passover as much as I do. I hope that continues as she gets bigger and gets to help clean the house!
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