Tales of Forgotten Lor

This weekend was full of Chana-isms. Thought I'd share a couple.

-DON'T LOOK A GIFTHORSE IN THE MOUTH-
An acquaintance of mine came to drop off a baby gift for Sefi. It's a hand painted coat hook thingy; very cute. Chana looked at it and exclaimed, "Wow! That's so CHEAP!" We all looked at each other started to laugh and cover for her. Avri realized that since my mom had gotten some amazing deals on clothes for Chana before she left, every time she would pull something out she would exclaim "and it was SO CHEAP!" Later, after the friend leaves, we asked Chana what she though "cheap" meant. She had assumed it meant cute. I made sure to go to shul on Shabbat, just to clarify with the gift-giver that she had really meant cute.


-TOTALLY TUBULAR-
Sefi's umbilical cord stump fell off during the bris. I forgot to tell Chana about it, since she'd been waiting for it to fall off. Friday I remembered and pulled her over to show her her baby brother's new belly button. After examining his newest body part, Chana then looked at me and asked, "What about his other tube?"
"What other tube?"
"The one on his 'muhjy'*?" *Muhjy is my mother's name for a vagina. It stuck and we use it with Chana.
Well, then we had to explain the difference between boys and girls. It's funny, cuz I know that she's not 100% naive about these things. She knew when someone brought her Spiderman underwear, that they were boy underwear. She didn't ask about it before or when friends were changing their boys. We figured that she'd figured it out from kids in gan peeing with the door open. I guess it's because she'd seen Sefi's before the bris (I haven't let her see it since, and won't until it's 100% healed) and it really did look like a "tube" beforehand.

Yosef David Balofsky (aka Seffi or Seffi-Doo).

He is named after Avri's father who was Yosef Menachem and my grandfather who was David Peretz.

Thank you to everyone for the mazal tov and birthday wishes. Sorry I haven't had time to reply to everyone privately.

He is still a little drunk from the bris and sleeping well. I'm off to take advantage! Good night!

I'm 3^3 today. Yay me!

VISITORS:
My mom is coming in this afternoon from Canada. I'm really excited since I haven't seen her in 6 months. She'll be here for about 10 days and then will be back with my dad and sister for Sukkot. My dad hasn't been in Israel since my parents honeymoon in `76. I think he'll find it's changed a little around here. We found out a week or two ago that my sister is going to come for the year to Bar Ilan for her first year of university and so she'll stay from Sukkot until June in Israel. It'll be so great to have her around (to babysit ;) JK).

BABY UPDATE:
After a week of hemming and hawing, we have finally picked a name for our child. Also, I'd like to officially announce that the brit will be tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 9am at Beit Kenesset Eitz Chaim, in Bet Shemesh. We were concerned for a while that it wouldn't happen on time. The boy was a bit jaundiced and also he hasn't pooped since Shabbat. The doctor is a bit concerned about this (and frankly so am I) but he's comfortable and behaving as he should so she's letting us go ahead with the bris and if he hasn't had a bowel movement by Thursday we'll start doing tests. The mohel isn't concerned about our poop-less child and was happy with the latest bilirubin count, so we're officially on for tomorrow. I'm guessing he'll poop everywhere in the middle of the brit. :)

EVERYONE ELSE UPDATE:
We're doing great and adjusting to multiple childhood. Chana loves him and hasn't seemed to get too jealous (yet). It helps that my in-laws bought her a new baby stroller for her babies and she's been taking care of one in particular diligently. I've been trying really hard to spend time with her and not let the baby push her aside. I've mastered the nurse and walk and was one night able to brush her teeth for her while nursing. This was a feat!

Avri's been insanely busy at work, but he took today off anyhow to get ready for the bris, help me clean up the house and spend time with me on my birthday. Legally he gets tomorrow off of work for the bris (I love this country!)

I'm doing really well considering the birthing. I'm still a bit uncomfortable, but Advil is getting me through it. Baby sleeps pretty well (bli ayin hara) so though I'm tired, I'm not exhausted yet.

Our mortgage is finally firmed up and all forms are in. I spent almost an hour in the bank yesterday finishing that up. G=d willing, it will be closed by Thursday. Everyone please daven for the dollar to drop against the shekel!

That covers the basics. Have a good day everyone!

I just realized that I left you guys hanging. I asked my husband to post everywhere when we had the baby, but I guess he forgot to post on my LJ.

OK, so after 27h in the hospital, but only 5.5h of labour (after they finally broke my water, things moved quickly), we are proud to announce the birth of a son on July 31, 2007 @ 11:15PM (17th of Av). Baby Boy is supremely cute. First we thought he looked exactly like his Abba, but now more of me is coming out and so he's looking a lot like a dark version of Chana. Pictures can be found here.

Sorry it took so long to post, there was no internet in the maternity ward, we got home erev Shabbat and since then life has been a little hectic.

I'm not really in the mood to write any more. My mom is coming tomorrow and my house is a disaster. Also, someone is scheduled to wake up and eat soon. Will try and get around to posting more later.

Sorry about the late birth announcement!

OK. ( Quickish update of labour so far: )

So that's where I stand. Waiting in the hospital to be induced. Any visitors welcome until that point. I'm at Hadassah Ein Kerem, currently 3rd floor in gyne.

Chana woke up around 8:45am and once she remembered it was her birthday, she miraculously put all pain aside and decided that she wanted to go to camp for her birthday (surprise, surprise). I had to shlep her with me for an ultrasound first, which went fine and we headed to camp. Here's a link to pics of her party.

Chana's Party

Heading to the in-laws for birthday dinner.

On another note: HAPPY HEBREW BIRTHDAY roseball! A great sister-in-law and aunt who shares both Chana's English and Hebrew birthdays (Chana was born on her 19th b-day). Means I can never forget her birthday, or else I'm in BIG trouble.

Poor Chana has had one of the worst nights in recent memory. The beginning of the night was spent being so stuffed up that she literally couldn't breathe. We propped her up on pillows and gave her some cold medication for that. She slept alright for the next three hours until about 4am when she woke up with stomach pain. More drugs later (partially just for the mental factor) and the comfort of our bed, she fel back asleep and she's still out cold now at 8:15am apart from the occasional cry out in her sleep. I'm going to let her sleep as long as she wants and hope she feels well enough when she wakes up for camp and her birthday party. Otherwise, we'll be spending the day together in bed watching movies.

Haven't had a chance to take birthday pictures yet, but I can't believe my little girl is already 4 years old. Tonight as she was going to bed, she kept checking with me making sure she was REALLY four years old. I told her that since it was her Hebrew birthday and we were in Israel that she was, but if we lived in Canada she wouldn't be 4 until her English birthday. It was a silly answer but suited her fine (she was confused about the 2 birthday thing I guess.)

I have yet to bake her cake for her party at camp tomorrow, or buy her a birthday present... not without lack of trying mind you. She wants a soccer ball, specifically a regular old white with black soccer ball. I've been to 4 different stores and haven't found a regular old soccer ball yet. She's been very specific. If I can't find one by tomorrow morning, I will take her to pick one out. That way she won't be disappointed with whatever I buy. That or I'll go get her a necklace with her name on it (which was my other plan) and keep looking for a soccer ball for her English birthday (Aug. 12).

Speaking of tomorrow, I'm just hoping I make it through tomorrow without going into labour. Any time after 2pm will be fine, but I really want to make it through at least her birthday party at camp. It will be really hard on her if I miss it. I know there's nothing I can do if I do go into labour, but I can hope, cross my legs and try not to do anything to promote it. I mean, I'm 2 days late already, there's really not much I can do. BTW, when you're overdue, why do people (even ones you barely know) have to come up to tell you that there are good "natural" ways to promote labour... meaning sex? Not normal people are.

IN OTHER NEWS:
- Strike was over within about 24 hours, but not with enough time to file our papers on Thursday. They shall be done tomorrow and returned to us in the evening and Monday BE"H we can finally go to the bank with all our stuff and our mortgage will be processed. The house should be ours within a week or less of that. Of course, in the meantime, the US dollar has shot up and our mortgage is now 20,000 shekel higher than originally planned, and prime has gone up too (we have a prime rate mortgage) so who knows what our payments will end up being now. I'm just praying for an unexpected dollar drop in the next week or so, BEFORE we get the house (which is the day it gets sealed) and not after.

- Caved and read HP7 off a PDF on my computer. Couldn't wait. Anyone want it? It had some spelling errors but was otherwise very readable.

I think that's the major stuff. Sorry for not posting pictures of the house. Just keep forgetting...

Ok, so everything was moving well on the house... until today.

I hadn't heard from my lawyer on Monday about our papers being ready. I figured he just didn't get home with enough time before Tisha B'av to get us to pick them up, so I called first thing this morning. He told me that his intern never made it to the office on time and the papers were never filed. This wouldn't be a huge deal, except that now there's a general strike and all the gov't offices in the country are closed... indefinitely. Now, if this strike hadn't been publicized ahead of time, there would be no real reason that I could be so angry... BUT we have known about the impending strike for a week and we told the lawyer that the papers had to be in before that because we have a deadline. You see, after Aug. 1st, we start paying $50/day in rent for the house, something which we can't afford.

Being all emotional, I got Avri to call and tell the lawyer that the extra fees were now on his head, being that we knew about the strike already and the only reason we're now delayed is because of his incompetent intern (who btw, didn't call him to say that she wouldn't make it or else he would have sent someone else.)

I just got a call back from him now. We can file the papers by mail. It will take less than a week if we write URGENT on it. But still, there's almost no way we'll close in time and I still don't know who is going to be paying this extra money on the house. Best we can hope for now is that the shekel will drop significantly enough by that time to pay for his mistakes.

Unlike my hubby, I have no desire to read a pirated copy of HP7 on my computer screen. I'm actually hoping to hold out and read it while I'm stuck in the hospital after the baby's born. Would some nice soul be willing to lend me theirs once I go into labour? I'm trying to hold out at least a week to give people time to finish. : )

This has been by far one of the busiest weeks I've had in who knows how long. Between getting the mortgage in order and settling into the new house, I haven't stopped moving and B"D I feel GREAT. My goal was to go into Shabbat completely unpacked and I can't believe it but I managed to do so. Yes, the floors and tubs still need a good clean, but otherwise the house is all in order. We are still in desperate need of a good desk for the desktop computer (the only box not unpacked), some guest beds and a dresser and closet for the baby's room, but that's just a matter of time. Tomorrow I plan on posting pictures.

G-d willing, the house deal will go through either at the end of this week or the beginning of next, pending any gov't strikes (don't you love this country) and the house will OFFICIALLY be ours. Visitors are welcome any time during the day. Sleep over guests are welcome if they don't mind air mattresses. Otherwise, please wait until we have guest beds.

Chana is loving the new house. Since we live on a quiet cul-de-sac (you know, one of those small dead-end streets with only 20 houses) all the kids play on the street. Chana has instantly become a street rat. Today we had to give her a post-shabbat emergency bath because she was covered in sweat, dirt and blood from her hours playing with friends on the street. The rule in our house (being that she'll be 4 next week Hebrewly) is that you can play on the street as long as there are kids there that are bigger than you. Otherwise, you play on the lawn or in the house. There aren't too many girls her age on our actual street, but 2 doors down has a daughter who is 5 (an Israeli) and the two of them have hit it off great. A couple doors the other way is a little girl who is 2.5 and eventually they'll grow to play together. Probably take another year or so. There are also girls a couple of streets over, including one of her friends from Gan last year so even though I'll have to walk her over there, playdates won't be too hard to come by. When she's stuck, she plays soccer with the boys which suits her fine but probably drives them mad. Whatever. They'll get used to her.

For us, we're the youngest people on the street but that'll change eventually. Everyone is really sweet and welcoming and from our years in Hamilton, we're used to hanging out with people of all ages. As Avri says, as long as they play board games I don't care how old someone is. There's maariv on the street every night also right in front of our house, which is uber convenient. The welcoming committee provided us with meals for the first night or two as well as for all of Shabbat. Basically, what it broils down to is that we found the yishuv we wanted on our little street and we're so far thrilled with our decision. I hope it stays that way. Now to find a good school for Chana.

That's all for now. Hope everyone had a good shabbat. We know we did.

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We survived and no signs of labour yet!

We moved last night/today into the new house. Actually, it was probably one of the nicest, smoothest moves I've had in a while. They took the time to wrap my furniture and get it there safely. It took a lot of time (mostly because of the small elevator), but I was happy in the end to write the cheque and had no complaints. They were terrific! (Oh, it helps that the boss was there to oversee the move too.)

Anyhow, now on to unpacking... *shudder* But first, a shower. I stink to high heavens!

As smoothly as this move went, I really hope to never move again... or at least for a VERY long time.

Pictures of the house to follow when it's a little tidier.

Today we took Chana and N (the hubby) to buy pre-made Shabbat food. In the car, N turns to Chana and says.

"You know, we aren't really married. We have to wait until we're adults. But when we do get married, you can be the Challah and I'll be the Chazzan!"

OK, bli ayin hara things seem to be going smoothly. I've started packing and I have my mother-in-law and sister-in-law coming to help me today. I've got boxes (though not enough yet), packing tape, paper and bubble wrap. Hopefully we can get a good chunk done today leaving me with only the basic kitchen stuff, Chana's toys, clothes and food to do later in the week.

We found someone to take over our lease starting July 25th. It's a little earlier than we wanted to give up the apartment, but it will be fine. I'm just glad to be getting 2 months of rent back. They are a cute young couple. Maybe we'll even make friends.

Car's good. I feel decent again, which is most important. I doubt I'll actually ever recover fully (like getting my energy back) after this round of UTI, but it's nice to be back on my feet.

Since buying a house, a car and moving are so expensive especially for one month, I'm trying to save money wherever I can. This means that I haven't had the air on in almost a week. I'm dripping sweat which is supremely gross, but there's a nice breeze and I can cope most of the time. If we get another heatwave I won't be crazy, but right now it's been pretty nice out. I am looking forward to having screens in the new house. That way I don't have to worry about bugs with the windows open. Oh, and central air... drool! Really, there's no point in putting the air on in this apartment since it only cools the front rooms anyhow. Especially with having to pack a whole house, it's just not worth it.

OK. I should stop procrastinating. The biggest problem with packing at 38 weeks pregnant is that a lot of packing involves sitting on the floor and then standing again. As soon as my helpers get here it will be easier.

On with the show!

UTI again. I have a fever of 101. This is getting insane.

Yes, yes... cranberry juice... I know, I know....

Yes. It's true. We bought a house in Israel. We decided in the end to stay in Bet Shemesh, since we'd finally made friends and some friends from Toronto had moved this year to Bet Shemesh as well. Plus, with the price of commuting and stuff it made more sense to stay where we are.

This deal was hell, let me tell you. You can read stone_'s journal to find out more details. I'm too tired and too drained to describe it to you all. B"H we managed to get everything we wanted, but it was hell.

So the scary part is, we can move in July 15th. We are actually renting the house for a couple of weeks before we actually purchase it, so we can hopefully get in before the baby comes. I have to start packing... and do all the mortgage paperwork... and try not to go into labour from the stress. If I do, I hit 37 weeks today so all, BE"H will be good. Still, want to hold out until we're in the house.

So that's our big news. Car's going great. Nice to have wheels.

NEED SLEEP!

It's like heaven in my mouth!

-vanilla yogurt
-raisins
-granola
-cut up plum
-cinnamon

I could eat this five times a day!

Avri got his Israeli licence!

We own a car!