Jonathan woke up the other morning and said his foot hurt.
A few days later, it got worse. He started hobbling around with a cane.
Yesterday, I convinced him to see a podiatrist.
The doctor took an X-ray. And guess what? My husband has an extra bone in his foot. To use his words, he's a "mutant." And luckily for him, he banged this mutant bone somehow, and now has a hairline fracture.
Only Jonathan, I swear. Poor thing can barely go up the stairs. And to think that we wanted a house with multiple floors. How silly were we.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
First steps!
Xander took three steps last night! From Lynn (my mom's girlfriend) to my mom. My mom had the biggest smile on her face for the rest of the evening.
In other Xander news, he's gone from nesting his cups to stacking them up himself. And the best was when we were in Target yesterday. He was whining, wanting to go home. I said, "honey, we just need to get one more thing." And he looked straight at me, went "uuuuuuhh" and in sign language signed, "all done." Which he had only ever signed in his high chair before (booster now actually, not just high chair). Oh yes, and he also wipes his own nose now with Kleenex. Thank God.
In other Xander news, he's gone from nesting his cups to stacking them up himself. And the best was when we were in Target yesterday. He was whining, wanting to go home. I said, "honey, we just need to get one more thing." And he looked straight at me, went "uuuuuuhh" and in sign language signed, "all done." Which he had only ever signed in his high chair before (booster now actually, not just high chair). Oh yes, and he also wipes his own nose now with Kleenex. Thank God.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
"The Jew tour"
Last night, Jonathan and I decided to forego the traditional Jewish December 25th Chinese and a movie. Instead, Deann and Justin invited us over to their house for Christmas dinner. We got all bundled up, drove the 40 minutes over... and stepped into a movie.
I had never been before to a house that had a real Christmas tree with golden lights, and an angel on top, and a train track all around. There were cookies on the table, since Claudia and Deann had finished baking and decorating gingerbread angels, trees, and reindeer earlier that morning (some had apparently been eaten by Santa on Christmas eve, Claudia was quick to tell us). There was a fire in the fireplace, and personalized stockings hanging on the mantle. Xander was overwhelmed. Shinies on the tree! A train going choo-choo! Flames leaping on the hearth! Oh, what should a boy look at first!
I, on the other hand, immediately went into sociology mode. I crouched down under the tree to look at its stand, and noticed it was sitting in a huge bowl of water. Very seriously, wondering how they managed to make the tree stand up straight, I asked, "so how does this thing work?" Jonathan, Deann and Justin just kind of looked at me - then buckled over laughing. Apparently it came out wrong. So for the rest of the night I got the "Jew tour" of the tree and all Christmas accoutrements.
In high school (and in Jerusalem) I'd been to Catholic midnight Mass, and really enjoyed the liturgical aspects. This was very different. It was more "secular American," the way it's pictured in every Christmas TV special. It felt like observing a slice of someone else's life. Also, as the first Christmas we've been to since Xander was born, it increased my self-confidence about how to best raise him in the larger non-Jewish environment: it was very much about "celebrating someone else's holiday" and getting a chance to talk with friends over good food and wine.
By the way, eating birthday cake for baby Jesus after Christmas dinner? Totally neat way to teach a toddler the religious, not just the materialistic, meaning of the holiday. Deann had warned us before, and I was okay with it, but it sure didn't hurt that the cake was smooth red velvet with vanilla icing. :)
Oh yes, and P.S: Xander was all over Claudia and her younger sister. He kept giving them hugs. Finally he went over to Deann and gave her a hug. And she had the best line of the night: "You thanking me for giving you two cute girls to hit on? You can't marry them both, you know!"
I had never been before to a house that had a real Christmas tree with golden lights, and an angel on top, and a train track all around. There were cookies on the table, since Claudia and Deann had finished baking and decorating gingerbread angels, trees, and reindeer earlier that morning (some had apparently been eaten by Santa on Christmas eve, Claudia was quick to tell us). There was a fire in the fireplace, and personalized stockings hanging on the mantle. Xander was overwhelmed. Shinies on the tree! A train going choo-choo! Flames leaping on the hearth! Oh, what should a boy look at first!
I, on the other hand, immediately went into sociology mode. I crouched down under the tree to look at its stand, and noticed it was sitting in a huge bowl of water. Very seriously, wondering how they managed to make the tree stand up straight, I asked, "so how does this thing work?" Jonathan, Deann and Justin just kind of looked at me - then buckled over laughing. Apparently it came out wrong. So for the rest of the night I got the "Jew tour" of the tree and all Christmas accoutrements.
In high school (and in Jerusalem) I'd been to Catholic midnight Mass, and really enjoyed the liturgical aspects. This was very different. It was more "secular American," the way it's pictured in every Christmas TV special. It felt like observing a slice of someone else's life. Also, as the first Christmas we've been to since Xander was born, it increased my self-confidence about how to best raise him in the larger non-Jewish environment: it was very much about "celebrating someone else's holiday" and getting a chance to talk with friends over good food and wine.
By the way, eating birthday cake for baby Jesus after Christmas dinner? Totally neat way to teach a toddler the religious, not just the materialistic, meaning of the holiday. Deann had warned us before, and I was okay with it, but it sure didn't hurt that the cake was smooth red velvet with vanilla icing. :)
Oh yes, and P.S: Xander was all over Claudia and her younger sister. He kept giving them hugs. Finally he went over to Deann and gave her a hug. And she had the best line of the night: "You thanking me for giving you two cute girls to hit on? You can't marry them both, you know!"
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Snow, snow and more snow
It is 75 degrees in California, as my mother's girlfriend keeps reminding her. Right now it is 35 here, and yesterday my mother drove in snow for the very first time. Xander took a long walk around the block in the snow, and loved it.
My mother cooked food! Our oven only gets used when parents come over. It's fabulous. All of our tupperware will be full by the time she leaves. (We may need to buy some more, actually.)
I finished my last monster 18 page paper. Now I'm working on transcribing Lutheran council meetings of 1968 on Vietnam and conscientious objection for my side job.
Between that, errands, kid, mom, husband, and everybody being sick... life is good!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Babeleh boy... and everything else
So my mom got here yesterday, and told me that I've been holding out! Apparently Xander can do lots of little things that I have neglected to post.
1) He stands up on his own and claps.
2) He stacks cups, instead of just knocking them down.
3) He likes to get into the kitchen Tupperware cabinet.
4) He's moving from two naps to one.
5) He's VERY talkative.
6) He waves, gives high-fives, and says "all done" after a meal in sign language.
7) He turns pages of books by himself.
8) He's very affectionate and gives lots of hugs.
9) He's extremely well coordinated and has good depth perception.
10) He's very strong and can completely lift up and turn his cart in the air.
11) When we sing the candle blessings, he looks straight to the candle holders and knows the blessing is for Shabbat.
12) Last but not least, in my mother's words, "he's cute as the dickens." But I'm sure you all knew that already. :)
In other news, I finished my Talmud paper, hooray! Still have one left, and that 40 hours worth of work at the AJA. Vacation, shmacation.
Hanukkah has been lovely. My mom brought over literally an entire suitcase full of books plus a carry-on, probably about 60-70 pounds worth. I have no idea how I'm going to fit them all on my shelves, but I'm excited about the prospect of trying. Jonathan and I got Xander a xylophone and this peg-and-hammer toy (you know, where you hammer the pegs down, then turn the toy over and hammer them again?) And he likes it quite a lot. I got Jonathan slippers, and he gave me the Harry Potter Marauder's Map! Complete with spiffy display case, it's awesome. Now I can display the map with Hermione's wand!
We've been getting into Battlestar Galactica, and are now well into the second season. I'm still a huge Star Trek fan, but I must admit that BSG has better characterization. The show doesn't shy away from internal conflict the way that ST does. Sigh. I still love both.
Other than that? It's snowing. I'm staying inside. Simcha is glued to the window watching the world. And the baby took a long nap. All in all, a good day!
1) He stands up on his own and claps.
2) He stacks cups, instead of just knocking them down.
3) He likes to get into the kitchen Tupperware cabinet.
4) He's moving from two naps to one.
5) He's VERY talkative.
6) He waves, gives high-fives, and says "all done" after a meal in sign language.
7) He turns pages of books by himself.
8) He's very affectionate and gives lots of hugs.
9) He's extremely well coordinated and has good depth perception.
10) He's very strong and can completely lift up and turn his cart in the air.
11) When we sing the candle blessings, he looks straight to the candle holders and knows the blessing is for Shabbat.
12) Last but not least, in my mother's words, "he's cute as the dickens." But I'm sure you all knew that already. :)
In other news, I finished my Talmud paper, hooray! Still have one left, and that 40 hours worth of work at the AJA. Vacation, shmacation.
Hanukkah has been lovely. My mom brought over literally an entire suitcase full of books plus a carry-on, probably about 60-70 pounds worth. I have no idea how I'm going to fit them all on my shelves, but I'm excited about the prospect of trying. Jonathan and I got Xander a xylophone and this peg-and-hammer toy (you know, where you hammer the pegs down, then turn the toy over and hammer them again?) And he likes it quite a lot. I got Jonathan slippers, and he gave me the Harry Potter Marauder's Map! Complete with spiffy display case, it's awesome. Now I can display the map with Hermione's wand!
We've been getting into Battlestar Galactica, and are now well into the second season. I'm still a huge Star Trek fan, but I must admit that BSG has better characterization. The show doesn't shy away from internal conflict the way that ST does. Sigh. I still love both.
Other than that? It's snowing. I'm staying inside. Simcha is glued to the window watching the world. And the baby took a long nap. All in all, a good day!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I wouldn't have believe it if it hadn't happened to me
I set my hair on fire last night. While lighting Hanukkah candles.
The menorah was in the middle of the kitchen table. I was sitting at one end. I tipped my head far to the side, toward the table, to stick my tongue out at Xander.
Tipping one's head is a bad, bad thing when one' s hair is fluffy.
Did you know that hair is flammable?
The side of my head went up like a... well, like a Hanukkah candle. Jonathan smacked me with a magazine to put me out.
Xander's eyes went wide.
After we realized there was no damage other than to my pride, I told him that Mommy was the shamash.
He didn't laugh.
Jonathan, on the other hand, nearly fell off his chair.
I had to wash my hair three times to get out the pieces of ash.
Only me, people, only me.
The menorah was in the middle of the kitchen table. I was sitting at one end. I tipped my head far to the side, toward the table, to stick my tongue out at Xander.
Tipping one's head is a bad, bad thing when one' s hair is fluffy.
Did you know that hair is flammable?
The side of my head went up like a... well, like a Hanukkah candle. Jonathan smacked me with a magazine to put me out.
Xander's eyes went wide.
After we realized there was no damage other than to my pride, I told him that Mommy was the shamash.
He didn't laugh.
Jonathan, on the other hand, nearly fell off his chair.
I had to wash my hair three times to get out the pieces of ash.
Only me, people, only me.
Monday, December 14, 2009
La dee da
My pulpit this weekend was great. I led a 15 minute Shabbat service, then we all adjourned downstairs for a Hanukkah party with menorah lighting, latkes, dinner food, songs, and dreidel. Jonathan has had the flu the past week though, and I got struck with it later that night. Suffice it to say it was a miserable early morning/night, and I had to cancel my Adult Ed in the morning. I had such a good lesson plan too! Anyway, it was a bad drive home. I was grateful to be out of the car and back in bed.
Other things? Xander can stand up on his own now. And he's no longer a wind-up toy, he can turn his push cart around and avoid obstacles with no problems. It's much less frustrating for all of us. We went to a party for his daycare last night, and it was adorable, all these toddlers running around... it was like, that could be you next month!
I have a Philosophy final tomorrow, then a Liturgy and Talmud paper due. My mom comes in Friday, so the goal is to be done by then. 'Course, when I finish that stuff then I have another 40 hour contract as a research assistant, so she may end up babysitting Xander more than she expects!
Happy Hanukkah, everyone.
Other things? Xander can stand up on his own now. And he's no longer a wind-up toy, he can turn his push cart around and avoid obstacles with no problems. It's much less frustrating for all of us. We went to a party for his daycare last night, and it was adorable, all these toddlers running around... it was like, that could be you next month!
I have a Philosophy final tomorrow, then a Liturgy and Talmud paper due. My mom comes in Friday, so the goal is to be done by then. 'Course, when I finish that stuff then I have another 40 hour contract as a research assistant, so she may end up babysitting Xander more than she expects!
Happy Hanukkah, everyone.
Friday, December 11, 2009
I love my pulpit.
You haven't lived until you've seen a bunch of small-town retirees sing along to Adam Sandler's Hanukkah song.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Winter has arrived
Special weather statement for Hamilton, Ohio:
A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BRING WEST WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH TO THE REGION TONIGHT. THE WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE TEENS TO CREATE WIND CHILL VALUES AS LOW AS 5 BELOW.
PEOPLE WHO NEED TO BE OUT TONIGHT SHOULD TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS AND COVER AS MUCH SKIN AS POSSIBLE. THEY SHOULD ALSO DRESS IN SEVERAL LAYERS... RATHER THAN ONE BULKY LAYER.
Reading week
First I should say, it wasn't actually a conference last weekend, more a retreat. It ended up being quite good, after I got over missing Xander and Jonathan. We talked all about conversion, what it entails, the role of the rabbi, what to say to someone, "seekers" versus people converting for marriage, halacha and law codes about it throughout history, a panel, role playing opportunities, etc. We ended around 10pm each night. And of course, instead of going straight to bed, I decided to be tired but to have fun. So I watched TV for a couple hours all by MYSELF each night - not one interruption! It was strange, I'd forgotten what it was like to not have husband, kid, or cats wanting my attention.
School-wise, I've finished the Talmud Oral Exam, the Human Relations paper, and the Hellenistic Literature paper. Up next is prepping for my pulpit tomorrow, then a Philosophy test on Monday, then a Talmud and a Liturgy paper (15 pgs each, ugh). My laptop and I have seriously bonded.
Also, things I do not like about winter? Cold snow that seeps through tennis shoes. Having to have the heat on constantly. Dressing up a baby boy in four layers when he doesn't even want to have to put on one. Wet cats who come in from outside, then want to climb on our bed with snow on their fur.
And check this out: the car of the future!
School-wise, I've finished the Talmud Oral Exam, the Human Relations paper, and the Hellenistic Literature paper. Up next is prepping for my pulpit tomorrow, then a Philosophy test on Monday, then a Talmud and a Liturgy paper (15 pgs each, ugh). My laptop and I have seriously bonded.
Also, things I do not like about winter? Cold snow that seeps through tennis shoes. Having to have the heat on constantly. Dressing up a baby boy in four layers when he doesn't even want to have to put on one. Wet cats who come in from outside, then want to climb on our bed with snow on their fur.
And check this out: the car of the future!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Conferences
I'm sitting in a hotel room, waiting 10 minutes before I head downstairs to dinner. I'm not particularly excited about this conference, not because of the topic - it's on Outreach and Jews by Choice - but because I'll be gone from Xander and Jonathan for two whole days. Sniff.
Jonathan's last day of work was Friday, so he's home with the boy at least. If anyone in the Cinci area has a job suggestion for him, please do send it along.
Oh yes, and mazel tov to Auntie Lois and Mike, who are finally getting started on building their dream house!
Jonathan's last day of work was Friday, so he's home with the boy at least. If anyone in the Cinci area has a job suggestion for him, please do send it along.
Oh yes, and mazel tov to Auntie Lois and Mike, who are finally getting started on building their dream house!
Friday, December 4, 2009
I really am not into writing final papers
I've checked email, paid bills, organized my notebooks, even helped lead Tot Shabbat with the kidlets at HUC. And the papers are still there, waiting for me.
What do you do to procrastinate? I SOOO don't want to do work.
What do you do to procrastinate? I SOOO don't want to do work.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
More Xanderbug
Daddy and Xander in the bean bag store at the mall.He went for so long that I wondered how much stamina he had. The next day, I took him for a walk around the block. He walked TWENTY-TWO MINUTES (I timed it) before he sat down. The kid is stubborn!
Cell phone addict in the making.
The funny part of teething.
When we're gone, the cats don't miss us. They have kitty cuddles instead.Words
First, an article entitled "Not Jewish but Jew-ish" provided quite the food for thought. It's by a Jewish man who considers himself cultural but not religious. He loves bacon, never goes to temple, and has no apologies for anything. An excerpt:
"I thoroughly enjoy and celebrate my culture, but I am deeply contemptuous of the madness and hypocrisy that has sprouted up in the organised religion, as it does in most cults. And I say this even though some of my best friends are frum and I'm a completely fake agnostic, because I still quietly recite the Shema when things get awkward."
Second, I just finished the book The Philosophical Baby: What Children's Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love, and the Meaning of Life. It was amazing. The author is a developmental psychologist as well as a philosopher. Parts of it were more engaging than others, but her last chapter, especially, is brilliant. I feel like I understand Xander's sense of consciousness and how he thinks much better now. Highly recommended.
Last but not least, in class today I was bored. To entertain myself I tried to decide upon my favorite word. I had a tie: "parallelogram" and "snuffle-up-ogus" (from Sesame Street). What are your favorite words?
"I thoroughly enjoy and celebrate my culture, but I am deeply contemptuous of the madness and hypocrisy that has sprouted up in the organised religion, as it does in most cults. And I say this even though some of my best friends are frum and I'm a completely fake agnostic, because I still quietly recite the Shema when things get awkward."
Second, I just finished the book The Philosophical Baby: What Children's Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love, and the Meaning of Life. It was amazing. The author is a developmental psychologist as well as a philosopher. Parts of it were more engaging than others, but her last chapter, especially, is brilliant. I feel like I understand Xander's sense of consciousness and how he thinks much better now. Highly recommended.
Last but not least, in class today I was bored. To entertain myself I tried to decide upon my favorite word. I had a tie: "parallelogram" and "snuffle-up-ogus" (from Sesame Street). What are your favorite words?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)