My Big Little Girls

"...go take care of Ayelet, I'll manage."

Now you may wonder what event preceded this line. Were Ruby and I, building a large piece of furniture? (actually I do all the furniture building on my own, so no). Were we in the middle of preparing a scrumptious feast for a late night dinner? (enter laugh track) Maybe you think we were battling flying aliens invading through the back window. But you would be wrong. Here is what really happened...

Ayelet had finished her bath and was watching TV in the living room, while Hadas had her shower. I was helping Hadas a little with the shampoo, when Ayelet started crying outside. Hence the "It's OK Mum, go take care of Ayelet, I'll manage." I think I actually teared up a little bit when she said it, she sounded so mature. Of course, several minutes later she was complaining that she just couldn't put on her pajamas by herself, I just had to help her! But as I have mentioned in earlier blogs, I try to embrace these little moments where she still wants my help.

And in general she does take excellent care of all her sister's needs including entertainment or leaving cheerios on the floor for Ayelet to find and eat.

Now it's no secret that I let my kids watch TV, but I do try to interact with them a little. As you can see in this video, the problem occurs when I try to interact with the TV on. Take special note towards the end of the video at Ayelet's eye movements. And please excuse my horrible Itsy Bitsy voice.

Other than that, all is well with us here. We are getting prepared for our trip to Canada next week. Well at least mentally prepared. Although can one really mentally prepare to go from the cold winters of Raanana (18 degrees) to the cold winters of Toronto (-18 degrees)?

I wonder if these thoughts were what led Hadas to skip around singing "Suicidal, Suicidal" OK, it was probably just that we had heard the Sean Kingston song, Beautiful Girls in the car on they way to pick up Ayelet -- but the subconscious works in mysterious ways.

My subconscious or would it be just my conscious is telling me to get back to work and stop blogging. I only have 3 days left to finish all my projects!

A Hannukah Summary

Well Hannukah is over. It was a whirlwind of activities, parties, dancing, sufganiyot, singing, laughing, crying, cursing, candies, candles and chocolate coins.

The eight things heard around the house over the holiday:

1. Do I get a present today too? We gave her a couple gifts on the first and second days... so it was a huge disappointment when the gifts didn't keep coming! Ayelet got one present, and she didn't complain at all! Wait she hasn't slept at night since we gave her the present, maybe she is protesting after all!!

2. Can we stop at English Cake (bakery) and get a sufganiya (doughnut)? This is the bakery right next to her gan, which we pass all the time if we go the drugstore. So now of course she thinks it is her right to have something from there each time we pass by.

3. When is Abba coming home to light candles?

4. Can we light my hannukiah too? We did light it a few nights - she originally wanted to light every one she ever made, so I guess we got off easy.

5. Did you like my dancing? (at her gan party) - It was a great party, the kids well behaved and coordinated for the most part. Hadas was super enthusiastic about her participation which made it all the more fun. And Ruby was forced to participate too, which made it hilarious -- see photos below.

6. Remember when the guy jumped in the air - We went to a special hannukah play which had a Comverse only night. We were stuck in traffic, threatened by a policeman, and arrived late to find people sitting in our seats! I was totally stressed out - it was Ruby's fault that we were late, none of us had eaten anything thinking we would have food when we got there (this is where a lot of the cursing came in).

7. Can I have one more chocolate coin?

8. Are we going to Canada right after Hannukah? (Nope. Two weeks later! Yay!)

And yes, you all read correctly. All being well (tfu tfu tfu), we are coming to Canada for almost three weeks!!

Hope you all enjoyed your holiday!

See some of you real soon!

It's been too long...and time goes by so fast

I think it has been so long since I last blogged, that I just don't know where to begin!

That kind of sounds a lot like my life actually, what to tackle first? the laundry? supper? bathtime? Maybe I should feed the girls supper in the bath fully dressed!! That would be killing three birds with one stone! Not that I support the mindless killing of birds with stones - now shotguns, that's another story.

The girls are good. Ayelet is mischievous, crawling all over the place and messing up her Abba's computer. She crawls towards it, looks over her shoulder with a twinkle in her eye to see if I am watching and then, whack!! Ruby of course loves when the girls touch his beloved computer! That's him repairing whatever damage she had done, and her giggling at the mayhem she caused.

Ayelet also had a cold (still clinging to it actually) and is teething, which has led to a lot of sleepless nights the last couple of weeks (another reason it has taken me so long to blog - my brain is mushy a lot of days). I think I can see the top tooth pushing through so hopefully things will settle down. Although there are some nights, I really don't think I am going to make it through.

Hadas told me that she can help Ayelet at night if I want. That would be great, except she seems to sleep through everything. Like this morning, she came in to our room and said, Ayelet was a good girl last night, didn't bother her at all, and now she is just talking in her crib, not crying or anything. Well, where was she at 2:30 in the morning when I was in there trying to soothe Ayelet back to sleep!! !#^&%@#&^ I hope you mothers out there can relate, and I am not the only one close to losing it sometimes.

Hadas has been really good to her sister though. The girls were sitting together watching something on TV (I know some of you think that TV for youngsters is evil, but I LOVE it!), and Hadas was having some crackers and cottage cheese. I asked her to give Ayelet half a cracker, which she kindly did, and continued to do at appropriate intervals when Ayelet turned to her for more. I said, "Thank you big sister for all the crackers."

Hadas said, "She doesn't have to thank me she's my sister!" Like my mum says, I hope it lasts. Thinking back, I can't remember a single fight between my sisters and me... um, OK, maybe one or two (thousand). But we are great friends now, so that's what counts. And as you can see from the picture below, Hadas has got Ayelet's back!



Me, Hadas drives crazy sometimes. Anything I ask her to do, (pick up her toys, get ready for a shower, put away her dishes, etc.) she responds by saying, "First I want to tell you something." Usually she has nothing to say, she's just being a good little procrastinator, but I got to remember that the time is coming when she might not want to "tell me something", so I better enjoy these moments that she wants to share with me.

The moments when the kids are clinging to you and you just want to peel them off, try to just hold on a little longer, stay and tell one more story, let her tell you one more thing, before the door on that little world is closed, with a do not enter sign.

I hope that doesn't sound depressing, I don't mean for it to be. It's just my realization about how fast time goes by, suddenly Ayelet is wearing clothes, that I am sure Hadas was wearing just last week.

And for all of you who offered Hadas to come play in the snow with them, she asked, "Don't they know I live in Israel? And Canada is really far?"

Love you all. Countdown to Hannukah is on!!

Well, that's cool...

Hello All,

Just a quick entry today to wish my wonderful sister Karen a very happy birthday! May this year present you with everything your heart desires!

Enjoy your semi-vegetarian thanksgiving utahian dinner!

Love you!

Million Dollar Blues

Two weeks ago, Hadas and I stopped at SuperPharm (the Israeli Shoppers Drug Mart), they were having a sale on hair accessories, so I told Hadas she could pick something. She chose a set of hairbands - you know the plastic kind in gold, silver, brown and an assortment of other colours. In the recent past I had purchased another set of hairbands for her, which were broken within a week (she wanted to see how flat she could make them, snap! Reminds me of a bridge made out of toothpicks), so I told her to be careful with these ones.

Ruby was home with the girls last week (I was out with work in the evening), and was getting Hadas ready for bed. She was wearing one of her beloved hairbands, and as she took of her shirt, it caught and snapped in two. She burst into tears and Ruby could not console her!

Ruby: It's OK Hadasi!

Hadas: No! Mummy is going to be so mad!

Ruby: No, it's OK, Mummy won't be mad. I'll buy you new ones.

Hadas: But you don't understand, it cost millions!

Ruby: I don't think it cost millions.

Hadas: Yes it did, they are gold and silver!

Ruby: I promise I have enough money to buy you new ones.



I think she was close to demanding bank statements as proof.

In other wasted income news... Yesterday morning I was giving the girls breakfast and opened the cupboard to put away the cereal, CRASH!! Two large jars of tomato sauce (the kind I have only just found again!) came crashing down at my feet! Tomato sauce all over the floor, the walls, the cupboard, my pajamas and slippers! I called Ruby into the kitchen to carry the girls out and proceeded to spend the next hour and a half cleaning up the glass and sauce. Plus I had a cut in my foot! Don't worry I am OK! Although I did use it to my advantage when telling Hadas why I couldn't play on the floor with her.

That playpen we talked about last week has really come in handy... Ayelet really gets around. Ruby was "watching" her, while I was resting on Friday (all ten minutes of it), and I heard Ayelet talking loudly. I went outside and saw Ruby sleeping on the couch and Ayelet crawling under the dining room table. Don't worry, he has been thoroughly chastised.

A couple special messages:

@Karen - have a great trip! Love you!

@ Bubie - I told Hadas you asked if there was something she wanted for Hanukkah -- there is, a beautiful dress for her Bat Mitzvah. The girl plans ahead what can I say?

Shavua Tov Everybody!

On the move...

Hadas: Mum. Mummy. Mum.

My eyes flutter open.

Hadas: Ayelet is awake, she is waiting for you.

Me to her: Thanks sweetheart, good morning.

Me to myself: Noooooooooooooooooooo!!! I didn't hear her, I could have slept ten more minutes!!


Ayelet is getting very good at moving herself up and around (love that bum in the air!!). Yesterday, when I went in to pick her up from her nap, I saw a little hand holding on to the top railing of the crib. That cute milestone led to last night's two main activities, dropping her crib to the lowest setting and putting up the pack and play in the living room.


These pictures are from our recent outing to IKEA -- Ruby finally agreed to wear the Snugli, and loved it! You get much better service when you have a baby strapped on. (That's using your IKEA, blink blink.)











Hadas is also on the move, or at least she will be when she gets older. She asked me if we were going to go to Toronto for Benji's birthday party (hope you have a great time), and I said, no, it's a little bit too far to go for a party. She said, that OK, but when she is older she is going to move to Canada and then I can come visit her and she can visit me just like Bubie and Saba do. Ain't that a kick in the pants!!


And here for your viewing pleasure is Hadas wishing Benji... and all the November babies, a very happy birthday! We love you and wish you were here!!

If I'm 19, then you must be...

Hi All,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to use this very public forum to wish my dear sister Aimee a very happy and healthy birthday!

I really don't know where the time goes!

We love you so much over here! I will make sure to eat a giant piece of cake in your honour! And then in Benji's honour, and then Elana, Joel, Uncle Neal, Uncle Harold, Amichai and Karen's honours too. Man, that is going to be a big cake.




To the rest of you, keep working!!


Love, Deborah

You're so vain you probably think this blog is about you

Don't forget to vote!! --->

I am only writing this to make you happy. I know how important it is for you to hear from us. You know who you are... or do you?

Since I am short on time today. I will just add a few pictures or maybe a video. As they say, a picture's worth 1000 words. (A video's gotta be worth more than that.)


Hadas is a very friendly girl as I have remarked in past entries. When we leave her gan, there is always a chorus of kids, calling "Hadas! Hadas!" from the passing vehicles. She has quickly made a lot of new friends in gan, and conducts ceremonies for the kids whose parents work at either Comverse or SAP.


Her level of humilty though.... that's another story.


A couple Hadas quotes to accompany the pictures.


"I love me."

"All the babies love me."

"Doesn't my hair look beautiful?"

"I look just like a princess!"




It is nice to have such a confident little girl. I hope the meaness that comes along in later grades, doesn't dampen her spirits.

Ayelet is a good girl too.

Supply and Demand

I know I am guilty of having not supplied any blogs this week. But you are all guilty as well, there has been no demand! (I work in supply chain management, these terms are branded in my brain).

If you are interested in me continuing to blog. Please add a comment below. I know you are out there, now is your chance to delurk!

Really, it has been a very busy week... I have the next blog rattling around in my brain... and it is up to you whether or not it comes out...

Here is the title to keep you wanting more...

You're so vain you probably think this blog is about you...

OK, you have been warned, no demand, no supply!

Kidding... love you all!

Shabbat Shalom!
Deb

Mothers and Daughters of the World Unite!

My sister Aimee sent me a link to a very funny video of this woman who summarizes (in song) everything a mom says in 24 hrs condensed into 3 minutes...

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/223/popup/index.php?cl=4274384

Listening to it, I recognized so many things that have been said to me and that I have said to Hadas, it made me feel one with mothers and daughters around the world. And of course I hear myself saying things my mother said to me - it is a vicious cycle - I mean beautiful.

(I wonder what the dad version would sound like... probably just a lot of gas and belching)

Hadas and I had a few rough mother-daughter moments last week. Ruby was away in France, and we were all tired and cranky. One night, it got to be a little too much and I ended up yelling at her (oh the guilt as I write this!), "YOU ARE MAKING IT HARD ON ME!", when she refused to get into the shower (and of course once in the shower refused to get out.) She responded by shouting back, "I DON'T WANT TO LIVE HERE ANYMORE!" So I said, "FINE!" Which lead her to cry out, "BUT WHERE AM I GOING TO GO?" Reality check. She is four. She is tired. Get a grip! Anyway, it all worked out in the end, and we declared our love for each other when I tucked her into bed.

Me: I love you all the way to the moon!

Hadas: I love you all the way to Hashem!

I have attempted to be more patient with her this week - even when she is tired and kvetchy and refuses to do the things I ask.

In other separation anxiety events...

At shul this past Shabbat, Hadas went outside to play with a couple of her friends, but was quickly back at my side.

Me: Hadas why don't you go play with your friends?

Her: Shrug.

Me: What's the matter?

Her: They are going very far, I am afraid I will get lost.

Me: That's good thinking, but as long as you stay in the front or the back of the shul and don't go near the road it is OK.

Her: OK.

Her two friends appear at the front... "Hadas, let's go already!" Off she goes.

I know I have to enjoy these little moments, of her not wanting to stray too far from me... they won't last forever - right Mum? (Not that I was trying to get away from you!)


I also have to savour the way Hadas runs to me when I pick her up from gan in the afternoon, or the way Ayelet smiles when she sees me when I come to pick her up at the end of the day, or even if I come back into the room.

The words of the mother may be condensed into 3 minutes, but the love lasts forever.

I hope you all have a love filled week!

P.S. Mazal Tov to Max (and the whole family) on becoming Bar Mitzvah this past weekend!

Let Them Eat Steak!

Well the holiday season is officially over, now back to our regularly schedule blahs. No real hardcore blahs, just a couple, "wouldn't it be nice if I could just go away by myself for a week and do nothing" blahs.

This of course probably relates directly to the fact that Ruby is away in France this week, I have been told by several people that I must stop breastfeeding in the near future if I want Ayelet to readily take the bottle, and a severe lack of sleep. (Actually I slept pretty well last night.) But I have decided to turn blah into blog and here I am!

Last week we were gathered in the living room, everyone doing their own thing when I noticed that Hadas had set up a huge feast using every cup, spoon, bowl, plate, knife, fork and napkin at her disposal (her play things, not my stuff). She had created a beautiful spread and I thought wow looks like she is setting up for a wedding, or a fancy birthday party. She caught me looking, and smiled.

Her: Do you like it?

Me: Yes, you did a great job!

Her: Do you know who it is for?

Me: No, who is it for?

Her: Poor people who don't have food.

My daughter the philanthropist!

Me: What are they having?

Hadas: Steak.



She really is a very charitable girl, always thinking about other people and ready and willing to share. In fact yesterday she was wearing a cute jean skirt, with some beading - when she came home I noticed a little less beading.

Me: Hadas, what happened to your skirt?

Hadas: I gave some beads to my friends.

Me: sputter, sputter...oh whatever... please don't do that anymore.

Hadas: OK.

See, I am learning to pick my battles.

That's all I have to report today folks.

Wait, a couple mazal tovs before I go...


Mazal Tov to Judi and Andy (and the whole clan) on the addition of Jordon to the family. May you have much naches and joy from your new family. "As he has entered into the covenant, so may he be introduced into the study of Torah, to the chuppah, and to good deeds."


Mazal Tov to Sheryl and Behir Sabban on their recent nuptials. The wedding was beautiful. May you have a long, happy and healthy life together!!

Tabernacle Feasts for Everyone!

The Sukkot holiday is well underway! We spent the first chag with our friends the Dombs, who will become - if things don't change in the next twenty years - our inlaws!

Hadas refers to Gilad as her Chatan (groom) and defers her dessert choices to him.

Sharon: Hadas what kind of cake would you like?

Hadas: Apple. No wait, my chatan is having chocolate, I'll have chocolate too.

Don't they make a lovely pair?




Short side note....
Speaking of lovely couples, I woke up the other days to the sounds of Bob the Builder, and someone was calling Bob, "Dad". My first thought was, has Bob finally made an honest woman out of Wendy? As it turns out, Bob's father was in town, and Bob and Wendy are still denying their love for eachother...

We also had our very own Sukkot miracle. Ruby's etrog got lost on the way to lunch on the first day of the holiday, and we abandoned all hope of ever finding it. But, lo and behold on the walk home, there it was, laid gently on the paper recycling bin. I mean in today's society, that someone wouldn't see our little lemon looking fruit lying on the ground and want it for themselves... OK, so maybe it wasn't a huge miracle, but I still think it counts for something.

Hadas (who delights in having her own hadasim to shake around) set up her own Sukkot feast for her toys - the boys, animals and Dora related figures were forced to stay outside, while the other girls partied in the Sukkah. We are very into women's lib at our house.



Ayelet has also made progress this holiday season. She now has two sharp lower front teeth - believe me they are sharp. She has started to go up on her knees and rock around a little bit, so her crawling days are nearing!


I also wanted to say thanks to all of you who wished me well as I began my descent into old age on Friday. I still think I am 19 though, heading to the mall with a sock around my neck, DMGL knows what I am talking about :-)

I also had a surprise waiting for me at work this morning! Candy, balloons, and a pig for my phone!! I am a lucky gal. Thanks to Y.A.N.S. for this lovely tribute!



Enjoy the rest of the holiday!!

P.S. I love you Abba, glad you are going home. Make sure you take it easy!!

Milestones for all

Hi Everybody!
Sorry it has been such a long time. I have been very busy these last couple of weeks.

Mum and Dad were here, and we had a great time (and attended a lovely wedding - Mazal Tov Amichai and Tal) – crammed in enough meals for a whole month I think. My friend saw a picture of Mum and thought she might be my older sister! Very flattering…for my mother…
But it’s true, she does look good, I hope I look that good in 30 years.

Milestone 1 - Ayelet’s first tooth finally broke through – time to put on the steak! She doesn’t sleep through the night most nights, but was very considerate and slept all night Friday (Yom Kippur), so that I was mostly hungry and thirsty during the day, but not all that sleepy.


Hadas was a little less considerate during the day, asking me for something to eat about every five minutes. I finally got to the point where I said, “If you can reach it, you can have it!” She headed into the kitchen and I heard some rustling in the cupboard. Then she calls out, “I am using your chair to climb up!” Well, I gotta give her points for creativity.

I am sure a lot of other amusing things have happened over the last couple weeks, but they all escape me at the moment - probably cause of my old age (another upcoming milestone). I will start getting back on track with my blogging after the holidays.

Til then, be well.

Love, Deb

P.S. Very happy birthday greetings to Auntie Fraudie! and Sheila! who reached their own milestones in September.

Happy New Year!

We wish you and all your loved ones, a happy, healthy and joyous New Year.

May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life for a year of happiness and peace for Klal Yisrael.Shana Tova and Gmar Chatimah Tovah.
Love,
Ruby, Deborah, Hadas and Ayelet

New Beginnings, Old Obsessions

Both girls have started new programs this week.

Hadas has been very good about it - not a single tear. This may not seem astonishing, but she cried for three weeks straight at the beginning of last year. I know, she is a year older and as I am sure you can from these blogs, at least ten years wiser. Also, luckily she knows one little boy and one little girl who are also attending her new gan (JK).

It is hard to start in a new place, you sort of expect things to be the same as what you are used to. When we got to her gan yesterday morning, she went in a little bit warily and we went to look for a place to put down her bag. We found the wall of hooks outside the two bathroom doors (i.e. stalls) - and you early readers know how much I love bathrooms (http://lucyandjb.blogspot.com/2007/08/princess-and-pee.html).

I have obviously passed on this trait to Hadas.

Me: I guess you hang up your bag here.

Hadas: Really, right outside the bathroom?

Me: Yup, maybe so you can wash your hands before you get your bag? (That sounds convincing right?)

Hadas, a little distraught: And how do I know which bathroom is for girls and which one is for boys, there is no sign!

Really, I am totally with her on that one. Growing up with sisters, I am all for GIRLS ONLY bathrooms! I was actually just thinking this morning, that in my next house I want a Deborah Only bathroom.

Anyway she made it through the whole day without incident (except for misplacing her bottle of water - the first of many I am sure). That's one day down, 260 more to go!

Ayelet on the other hand, has been miserable - poor baby. She seems to be a little bit under the weather (or maybe she's teething) and she hasn't been sleeping great these last couple nights (i.e. I am sooo tired). Couple that with the fact that she refuses to take formula, the mummy dairy isn't producing as much milk as before, and she entered a strange new environment and has started having separation anxiety - we get one kvetchy baby girl!

(BTW - if anybody has any suggestions for increasing milk supply please feel free to comment below - or even better how to get her to take formula - short of adding chocolate syrup - I am almost that desperate).

We are very lucky that her caregiver is so experienced, she isn't fazed by kvetchy babies and assures me that she will get settled into a routine soon enough. I know that's true, but it doesn't stop me from feeling guilty about leaving her - OK, not that guilty - it's almost nice to leave her somewhere where I know she will be taken care of and I can have all my body parts to myself.

Ayelet has also started talking. I was secretly obsessed with her lack of sound making, no combining consonants and vowels here - I mean come on, Babycenter said she was supposed to start saying baba and mama weeks ago!! Maybe I should go get that checked out!! Just kidding. Really, I think she was more interested in listening than talking (and Hadas speaks plenty for the both of them). But the last couple of nights (read - middle of the night) she has started uttering unintelligible phrases! It is so cute, I almost enjoy holding her at 4 in the morning.

Enjoy your day!

International Spy

My girls are bilingual. If you count the Spanish from Dora, the French from the girls at gan, the smattering of Yiddish words that come up, Hadas actually speaks 5 languages (she could be an international spy)! And, well of course Ayelet doesn't speak yet, but she is already exposed to several languages, so I am sure she will have no problems getting confused too.




One of my mother's favourite language stories took place in The Gap.

Hadas was two (the picture is from that trip), the saleswoman came over to us and started talking to Hadas.

Saleswoman: Hi sweetie!

Hadas smiles shyly.

Saleswoman: How old are you?

Hadas: Bat shnatayim.

Saleswoman: What sweetie, how old are you?

Hadas a little more firm: Bat shnatayim.

My mother intervenes and explains to the saleswoman.

Mum: She understands your question, but she is from Israel and is answering in Hebrew.

Hadas leaning out of her stroller and says in her best Israeli accent: I speak 'Eebrew.

There was laughter all around!

She has since learned to put on a phony Canadian accent when speaking English.

I often forget that Hadas is only four and still learning. Many things, including language and words are still new to her. She had two friends come over to play a while back (one French speaker and one Hebrew speaker - Israel is quite the -- melting pot? salad bowl?) and I set up a department store in her room. I created different sections for toys, books, food etc. Each girl received a purse with some money for their purchases which of course they paid for at the cashier's station. (I know you are impressed, you thought I would plunk them down in front of the TV.)


As I left the room, I said to Hadas, "Don't forget to give them change when they buy something!" I went to play with Ayelet and listened to the background noise of happy shoppers.** I went to check on the girls after a little while and saw Hadas tearing up little bits of paper and giving them to her friends.

Me: Hadas, what are you doing?

Hadas: Giving change, like you said.

Me: Do you know what change is?

Hadas: No.

Me: Oops, my bad. (I didn't actually say that, but I thought it)


** Side note on shopping (if my mother hasn't told you about it already). One's penchant for shopping is established at an early age, and you retain the like or dislike of this activity into your adulthood! Fascinating!




Look for future posts about one of my favourite aspects of bilingualism, Hadas's free translations from Hebrew to English and vice versa.

G-d, death and free will

There have been lots of strange discussions around our house lately. These conversations are at the same time, serious, morbid and hilarious.

Hadas: Everybody has to die right?

Me: Yes, at the right time.

Hadas: G-d decides right?

Me: Yes, that's right.

Hadas: If I were G-d, I would decide.

Me: Um, right.

Hadas: If you and Abba die, and I am still a little girl, would I live in an orphanage?

Me: Uh, no, no, but G-d willing we will be around for a long time, til 120.

Hadas: Maybe until 1000!

Me: OK.

Hadas: Nobody lives until 1000.

Me: You're right.

Hadas: Why doesn't anybody live until 1000?

Me: It is just too old.

Hadas: You don't look old, maybe when you are 1000.

Is anybody else feeling totally lost? I should point out that the orphanage talk came about since I am telling her the story of Anne of Green Gables (see favourite things to your right). My mum is bringing the book, but Hadas wanted to hear what is it about so I have started telling her the story. She really seems to enjoy it, must be the Lucy in her.

We also had our very own Abbot and Costello, Who's on First moment while we walked home from our regular late evening exercises (OK, we went out for burgers).

Hadas: You know that Abba's Sabba, who died, was my Sabba Rabba.

Me: Yes, you're right. He was your Sabba Rabba.

Hadas: What was Abba's Sabba to you?

Me: He was like my Sabba too.

Hadas: Like your Sabba Rabba?

Me: No, like a Sabba, just like Abba.

Hadas: He was like your Abba?

Me: Oh look a cat. (The good old distract and defeat tactic!)

We had another existential conversation as we headed up north for a day of fun in the sun! (Don't worry we were actually in the shade at a giant gymboree type place.) For some reason Hadas started talking about Purim and mean old Haman (boo!! hiss!!)

Hadas: Why did G-d make bad people?

Me: He didn't make bad people, people can choose to be bad.

Hadas: What?

Me: (Crap, what am I getting myself into here) Hashem, let's people decide if they are going to be good or bad, it's called Free Will.

Hadas: Oh, so Haman chose to be bad.

Me: Right.

Hadas: Oh OK.

There is about five minutes of silence.

Hadas: I am going to choose to be good.

Me: That is an excellent choice!

Wow, I did really good in that conversation, she gets it! Now if only I could convince her that being good doesn't include scattering every available card and toy into every corner of the house.

Since there was no mention of Ayelet in this post, I am adding a short video of her here. It is a new feature and I know the quality of the video kind of sucks, but I wanted to see if it worked.

Until My Arms Ache

Note: Ruby's grandfather, Cantor Shmuel Frankel, Z"L, passed away last week, and I think that contributed to the somewhat melancholy mood of this post.

The week before Ayelet was born, Hadas fell down or bumped into something (I can't remember exactly what happened), and I picked her up and held her while she cried.

The week after Ayelet was born, Hadas fell down or bumped into something (yes, she is a klutz like me), and when I went to pick her up she was suddenly so heavy I could barely lift her.

I don't know how she suddenly got so big in one week! (I mean, I know it is the juxtaposition of holding a newborn and an almost four year old, but I am going for symbolism.) And it struck me how fast these kids grow and how little time I have to hold them in my arms.

Friday night, we stood around the Shabbat table singing Shalom Aleichem, Ruby held Ayelet and Hadas was standing off to the side, a little bit grumpy. I held out my arms to her and she ran over to me, I picked her up and held her in my arms and she put her head down on my shoulder. It is funny, sometimes she is so clingy and touchy and her hands so warm that I just want to shake her off, but that night, in that moment I just didn't want to let her go.

Ayelet also loves to be held and lifted into the air and when you bring back down, she lifts her hands up to be lifted again. It is a silly game, but the look of wonder on her face while she is suspended in the air makes me repeat the movement over and over again until I am exhausted.

I guess any new mother will tell you that raising kids is like the opening of a Charles Dickens' novel,

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way."

My hope is that I will be able to focus on the best of times, and to share the smiles, laughter and silliness that my girls, in their sheer innocence and guilelessness, offer up to me on a daily basis. It is not always possible to keep them shielded from the darkness and winter, but I am determined to hold my girls up and keep them in the light until my arms ache.

I hope you all have a great week, focusing on the small joys in life.


Love, Deb

P.S. Speaking of growing, Ayelet had her first bites of food this past week. Some sweet potato, semolina porridge and a little applesauce. She still won't take formula, but we are working on it.

P.P.S. Mazal Tov to Ilana, Mike and Ezra on the addition of Marcus Benjamin Sereny to their family.

Thursdays are for lists...

I have decided to use Thursday's blog to share with you the top ten list of things you can hear me say as our day winds down here. Also I am not at work today, so I have better things to do! Not that I spend any time at work writing this blog!

The count down begins...

10. Don't put your fingers in the baby's mouth! (too late)

9. Don't put that in your mouth! (too late)

8. Do you need a tissue? (too late)

7. Do you really think you should do that? (better late than never)

6. Go make a pee (thankfully not too late)

5. Why do you have to be so loud? (too little, too late)

4. Do you want to watch Hop? (I know it's late)

3. No, you can't have a treat (Why? it's late)

2. OK, now it's time for bed (it's really really late)

1. I love you, sweet dreams (It's never too late)

Just thought it would be nice to end the week on a sweet note. Since it is now the weekend here in Israel, you will just have to wait for new entries with bated breath.

Shabbat Shalom! Z

Have a restful weekend! I

Love, Deb Y

P.S. A very happy 1st birthday to dear Oliver Lazarus!!ej

P.P.S. A very happy birthday to Rupert Lazarus! e@

P.P.P.S. You can get a reminder about this blog by clicking on the subscribe link below.

What's yours is mine, what's mine is... well, mine too

*Note: I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to read my blog and write your comments! Yesterday we got to 9 comments! No pressure folks! I have actually read some blogs where the comments are more interesting than the blog. I have no problem being upstaged by you all, so feel free, I may even comment you back. BTW - clicking on the title of a blog entry will enable you to see all the comments.



Now onto today's blog.

As a brand new big sister, Hadas was ready to share everything with Ayelet. Even before JB was born, Hadas would tell Ruby and I of her grand plans for sharing.

"The baby can sleep in my bed with me. I will hold him so he doesn't fall out." (She was convinced we were having a boy - but was not disappointed with a sister.)

"If the baby cries in the middle of the night, you don't have to come, I will read him a book."

"The baby can play with all my toys!"

I thought, "Wow, I must be doing something right to have produced such a sweet child who is willing to share all her things with the new baby. This parenting thing is a snap!" Now, it's not that Hadas has gone back on her word per se, just the conditions of her commitment have been changed.

"You have to ask me if you want to put Ayelet on my bed. OK, now take her off."

"Her crying is bothering me to sleep."

"I can play with all of Ayelet's toys!" (and anything I find in Mummy's purse)

Hadas is always playing with Ayelet's toys (all unleaded I hope) - she claims she is teaching her how to use them. She finds immense pleasure in coming up with new innovations for everything - every teething ring, a bracelet or anklet (I know very hygienic). Every blanket (thanks Auntie Karen) becomes at first a veil (she is dying to be a bride), then a cloak, skirt, picnic table cloth, or a tent to place over the baby arch so that she and Ayelet can hide underneath.

She of course then gets bored, crawls out and leaves poor Ayelet in the dark (and then I have to put down my book and pull off the blanket - is a mother's work never done!). (I keep saying that I read, it's true sometimes - do Hebrew subtitles count?)

But when it comes to using her things to entertain Ayelet, like the NYC magic wand (thanks Auntie Aimee et al)... "You have to ask me!" I guess I must blame myself for this, I taught her not to just take things but to ask first. (Not that she follows this rule when it comes to digging through my purse and using my telephone in one her imaginary classroom scenes.)

Although she can also be very gracious with her belongings, sort of.

Her: Jelly can have my Dora DVD (no lead here either)

Me: That is very nice of you to share with her.

Her: No, she can have it, you can buy me a new one.

That girl is smart. She got this from Ruby (not the smarts, that's from me). She gets his hand-me-down electronics so he can acquire newer versions and she has cleverly applied this to the toy situation.

Of course I have to put her in her place, "I bought it. It's mine and I let you use it." That one will definitely come back to bite me in the bum.

The princess and the pee

I hate bathrooms, especially public restrooms - there is nothing restful about them. They are full of germs. Anytime we are out and Hadas has to go to the bathroom, I inwardly convulse with dread. If you are in a public restroom and you hear a demented woman yelling at a four year old, "Don't touch! Don't touch anything! Don't play with that! There are germs! There are germs! Get up! Get up!" you will probably find me, and poor Hadas who just wanted to pee.

It must be said though, that Hadas, G-d bless her, has a bladder of steel. Sometimes she waits until the last possible second to go to the bathroom. She was at work with me yesterday, playing semi-quietly, pretending to be a ninja princess, when all of a sudden she calls out. "Eeema, I have to pee!" We run down the hall, out the door, around the corner, and into the bathroom. I of course make her wait until I have sufficiently covered any exposed surface with toilet paper while she hops from foot to foot mumbling "I gotta go!!!" Finally I help her sit - with my stern warning of not to touch anything- and she gets to pee. She looks at me with a smile and says, "Did you hear it? I told you I had to pee! I wasn't lying!"

Sometimes it takes a lot of convincing to get her to go to the bathroom. This morning for instance. I am sitting on the couch feeding Ayelet. Hadas is running back and forth from her room to the kitchen. It has been twelve hours since her last tinkle...

Me: Hadasi, go to the bathroom please.

Hadas: I don't have to go.

Me: Please Hadas, just try.

Hadas: I don't want to.

Me: Please! If nothing comes out that's fine too.

Hadas: OK.

She heads off to the bathroom.

Hadas: Nothing is coming out.

Me: Really? OK.

Hadas: No wait, here is comes.

I think I know why she fights it. I think it may have something to do with her fear of missing something. You know, all the surprise parties that take place the minute she heads off to the bathroom.

I hope I haven't grossed you all out with the pee talk. I promise to minimize the talk of liquid excretory product (I Babyloned "pee" just to see what it would say) in future blogs.

On second children and slavery...

Ayelet threw up last night. Twice. On me. And the couch.

I just handed her off to Ruby to change and I went to take a shower. (Yes I know! Ruby was home at a semi-decent hour!)

Last month her metapelet (nanny) called me to say that she had given her a bottle of formula and all seemed well, but an hour later.. bleh! My first reaction was not, "Oh my poor baby! I hope she isn't sick!". My first reaction was, "Oh man! I hope she didn't throw up all over the stroller!"

That is the sad fate of the second child, no frantic calls to the Doctor, no Mummy rushing home from work to stroke her brow. Just concern for the upholstery.

OK, that is not entirely true. I have called the Dr. and the Tipat Chalav nurse today to discuss it with them. Maybe she is sensitive to the formula - she has only really had it twice and threw up both times. Maybe I need to switch to lactose free stuff? Ya, I know, keep pumping.





I know what you are thinking? Where does the slavery come in? That is role of the elder child!
Poor overworked Lucy!

Me: Hadas, Ayelet just threw up. Could you get me a towel please?

Hadas: Um, a towel, ya, OK. (After a few failed attempts at finding a towel, she produces a purple square of terrycloth.)

Me: Thanks sweetie. Oh, could you hand me that diaper over there, please?

Hadas: (Sigh) A diaper, ya, OK. Here.

I didn't know four year olds could sigh! Boy, am I lucky that my (mostly) sweet-tempered first born hasn't heard of emancipation. But I think she has an inkling..

Ayelet was lying on her playmat, happily kicking and I was reading a book. Hadas was running around playing Bride. Ayelet begins to kvetch...

Me: Hadas could you please give Ayelet her motzetz?

Hadas: No, I'm playing. You give it to her.

Me: Please Hadas, be a good big sister and give Ayelet her motzetz!

Hadas (sighing again): Then why are you a Mummy?

I am appropriately chastised and get off the couch to give Ayelet her motzetzi.

By the way, Ayelet was fine this morning, her usual cheerful self.

Mummies Cry?

My sweet Lucy is hysterically funny. That may not be her intention, but I cannot help but laugh at some of the things she says.

Thursday evening, I made her some chicken nuggets and put them in a bowl for her to eat while she watches the latest "please let mummy have ten minutes to herself" DVD.

Me: Here's your food.

Her: Thanks, can I have a fork?

Me: (Oh crap, back to the kitchen again!) Sure, here's a fork.

She is now so focused on the singing and dancing on TV, she keeps missing the nuggets with the fork!

Me: You can use your hands you know.

Her: Then why did you bring me a fork?

Me: You asked for the fork!

Her: So why do you think I asked for it? To play with it?

She stabs the nugget with her fork and eats happily while swaying to the music. My four year old is going on 16!!

Friday evening, I am getting ready to light the Shabbat candles and Hadas is running around the living room swinging a piece of boondoggle with some large plastic buttons she has threaded onto it...

Me: Stop swinging that thing around, you are going to hit something or someone and then somebody will start crying!

Hadas: Who is going to cry?

Me: You, or Jelly, or me.

Hadas: Mummies cry?

Of course Mummies can cry! We're people too! If you prick us - with the pin that you found under the couch because Mummy forgot to put away the heart pin that came with the purple dress Bubie bought you - do we not bleed? If we hold the baby for half an hour while running around trying to put away the laundry only to find that her diaper has leaked and you have a ring of runny poop on your freshly laundered shirt, do we not smell?

But then I remembered, that to my four year old, I am not quite a person. I am the all seeing, all knowing, all cooking (OK, all microwaving) Mum. And, you know what? I hope that I get to be that Mum for a long time. I hope a long time passes before she realizes that I don't have the answers to everything, that my cooking skills are limited to what can be thrown together without having to measure ingredients, and that yes Mummies do cry.

And so it begins...

OK, I have taken the blogging plunge! I never thought I would do it! Expose my thoughts to the world - OK to family and friends, but still, these are going to be my most intimate thoughts!

Why am I doing this? Because I spend an awful lot of time reading other people's blogs and thinking, that's great, their kids are going to have such a laugh about this!
So I decided my kids should have equal opportunity to look back on this and laugh, or cry, or be utterly humilated by their crazy mum.

If the title of this blog is confusing and you are wondering who are Lucy and Jelly Bean, those are my girls. Lucy, aka Hadas, my brillant four year old, and Jelly Bean, aka Ayelet, my equally brillant almost 6 month old. And the names haven't been changed to protect the innocent, I actually do call them Lucy and Jelly Bean.
















So here's how this works, I will post from time to time and you will provide heartwarming comments and words of encouragement for me to continue recording these precious moments of craziness that are my life.