Monthly Archives April 2008

Passover Memories – 2004

As we look forward to JSL’s first Passover tomorrow evening, I thought it would be nice to look at some photos from NHL’s first holiday. We were still living in our apartment at the time. We technically were almost home owners. We were set to close on our house at the end of the month and moved in July 4th. NHL was almost 8 months old at the time. To put it into perspective, JSL is 11 months old now.

Nana and Papa came to celebrate with us as well as Uncle I. JL and I were hosting our first seders that year. It was very spur of the moment and we managed to put it together in less than a week. Here are some pictures of our table all set for the first night. 

Passover 2004

As you will see our finest china was out for the special event. Since we had a new little one we were too lazy to haul our Passover dishes out. We opted to use paper for quick and easy. It was not too environmentally friendly, but what can you do? It was only for a short holiday. 

Another view of the Seder table 2004

NHL loved to model his kippah and matzoh bib. Here is his reaction to us telling him he would have no chumetz (bread and the like). 

What do you mean no bread?

My cute little matzoh ball loved all of the attention and was ready to ask the four question – well in baby talk at least.

 All ready for the seder

Biting his tongue about eating matzoh. Oy vey what it does to your tummy! 

Check out my bib

To all of those celebrating Passover, I hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your families.

 

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A beautiful spring day – ACHOO!

Yesterday morning NHL had his allergy testing done. They had to do five trays worth. I believe each tested for 6-10 different items (environmental, seasonal, animals, and food). My mother went with us to help with JSL so I could wrangle NHL. The nurse told us that she wanted to do the testing on NHL’s back. This allowed NHL to still have his hands free to color and do things to pass the 16 minute wait. He was NOT happy about this. Luckily the nurse allowed him to have an unfilled tray to test on his arm and all of us. He finally stopped fussing and allowed the nurse to do the test.

As mentioned yesterday (Houston he has allergies), several items were positively identified as allergen to NHL. Within minutes there were three that were very red and big. They were for trees, grass and I believe mold. Nothing else was too alarming that I remember. She did note that with testing on children there are often false negatives. So, the fact that these were SO drastic a reaction tells us that he is highly allergic to them. The nurse gave me a pack of information and told me to schedule a follow up appointment with the doctor. She also told me to go back to using allergy medicine until he tells us differently.  We go back on the 29th for the hearing test and the doctor appointment was on the 2nd, but is now the 7th. Silly Mommy forgot to sign up for swim lessons Monday. Thanks to this NHL was locked out of the Monday classes so we signed up for Friday.

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So what does one do after allergy testing on a beautiful spring day when the trees that you are allergic to are blooming? 

Ahhhhh. . . . .

In our house they first eat a popsicle that turns their tongue shades of purple and then we go outside to expose ourself to the allergens while kicking a soccer ball around. 

Planning his attack on Daddy

I know, bad Mommy! However he is a 4 year old and does need fresh air and exercise. So we said the heck with it he needs to do something fun and we went outside.

First NHL was trying to get a soccer ball past JL and JSL. 

Ready to block the soccer ball

JSL was good at blocking shots. Thank goodness NHL listened and did not really kick the ball at his baby brother. Looking back this was probably not a great choice of activities for the little guy. 

My boys play together

Then it was time for NHL to be the goalie and JL and JSL to attack. 

NHL's turn to be "goalie"

The little one was quite annoyed that he was not allowed to go down to play. He did not quite understand that he does not know how to walk on his own just yet. For now he had to be content with playing in Daddy’s arms. 

Little guy wanted down to play

Of course he did manage to get into some trouble up high. He may look innocent, but nobody else is near the action to blame. 

Guess who got Daddy's glasses?!?!

After a while JSL actually started to say "ball" and "kick". When he wanted the ball he said it and then as he was kicking he said that. It was too funny. 

He actually said "ball" and "kick"

Of course then NHL thought it would be hilarious to take the ball and run away from his little brother. 

Action shot

Although it was very bright outside, it was actually past NHL’s bedtime while we were outside. Good thing it was not a school night. This was a view above our house. 

So light out, but really night

It was really nice to see JSL so happy. The poor kiddo just cut tooth #8. In addition to this we now see all four canine teeth coming in and the dentist told us at least three of the molars are moving. Check it out you can see the new tooth just cutting through. 

Did I mention he says "mine" too

Of course he was not too happy when someone took the ball away. I was floored when he actually said "MINE" to JL. What are we in for if he already says that at 11 months old? 

Big ball - little monkey

Here is what I mean.  He was baby yelling at JL for taking the ball.

Hey - I want that!

We all had a really nice evening outside. The boys played soccer, then NHL had fun with new bubbles and the little girl in the house next door. A wonderful evening, even if we ended up sneezing.

Daddy and his little boy

I love this photo of JL with JSL in his arms. I thought I would use it to wrap things up. 

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Early morning doorbells, X-ray boy and a LONG night

Yesterday officially started April break for NHL. He has the entire week off, plus next Monday since it is the start of Passover. The morning began with the doorbell ringing before 8:00. JL looked outside and saw a man with a bright orange helmet on and neon yellow vest. He went to the door. They were a tree service working for the power company taking care of the lines. They wanted permission to go in our yard and possibly use our driveway for their truck with the bucket to reach the trees. I granted them permission to use the yard and told them to let me know if I need to move my car later.

Just after getting JSL down for a nap I hear the truck pull into our neighbors driveway. This sucker was loud and parked right outside my window. I went to the yard to watch and remind them to let me know if they needed me to move my car. A little while later they asked me to move my car so they could haul all of the tree branches up to the front without a problem. I moved the car. Then they told me that they had to come back and climb our trees since they were unable to reach the main problems with the truck. I decided this was a photo opportunity. I went into the attic and took these photos. They are not the best, but were what I was able to get through the window with my zoom.

The Mulberry tree in our yard

 Just watching made me nervous

 Another man in a different tree

At 11:00 we left the house since they were finally up at the other end of the block. They really took a lot off the trees, so hopefully we will not have any problems with the lines as we had feared before this.

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I packed the boys into the car and went to where JL works for NHL to have his adenoid x-ray done. JL met up with us and we told NHL that they were going to take a photo of inside his body. He was very intrigued with this. JSL and I stayed in the hallway while it was done.

The room NHL went in

 Afterward the x-ray technician showed NHL the films (they are all digital now). He was able to see his spinal cord, his skull and most exciting to him – his new big boy teeth. They are  underneath his current teeth and ready to come in soon. NHL was beyond thrilled to be shown the films. We then had to wait in the hall to make sure the films were good enough for the radiologist. While we were waiting I took a photo of my three boys. 

The boys waiting after the x-ray

What you can not see in the photo is that JL is wearing a Sesame Street tie and NHL has on an Elmo sweatshirt. Everyone there thought we had planned it, but we did not. Right after we had the clear we went to visit people in JL’s department and then went to the cafeteria for lunch.

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After we went shopping for a few things the boys and I went home. When we arrived I saw a package on the porch. Inside the package was the malabrigo yarn (Kettle Dyed Pure Merino Wool for those that do not know) from Pony Knit. Oh my goodness this is the most amazing yarn that I have ever felt. Now I just need to figure out a project that is worthy of this fabulous fiber. Thank you so much!

Thank you Pony Knit

 The most amazing yarn I have ever felt

Once inside things started to fall apart some. From this point on JSL was a mess. He would not stop crying, clinging to me and would not eat any solid foods. He only wanted to nurse. Not something you would expect from a baby who was 11 months old yesterday (I can not believe my baby is going to be 1 in less than a month). I chalked it up to major teething pain, being constipated, and possibly an earache. I gave him teething tablets, they did nothing. Finally I decided it was time to do Tylenol per the dentist’s instruction. It hardly helped. JSL nursed a few more times before bed and woke up early on. He was all congested and was a mess. He eventually fell back to sleep in our bed for the night.

The poor little guy was not comfortable. He kept waking up at least every hour and would cry for his binky. There were other times that he wanted to be rocked. Finally at about 4:00 we felt he was overly congested so I used the saline and bulb syringe to clean him out. Let me just say – ICK! That helped him to nurse some and fall back to sleep breathing a lot better.

Today is pretty much the same. He has solved the one problem thanks to drinking lots of milk. At least I know his stomach is better. Now he is just congested, clingy, screaming, crying and all around miserable – please note the sarcasm here. I have a feeling it is teething (3 molars moving in and another tooth about to cut can do that), but worry that it is his ear. If his temperature goes up more and we have another bad night I will have to call the doctor tomorrow. Slight conflict since NHL has his allergy testing tomorrow in the late morning. The mucinex is helping JSL to be less congested and the tylenol seems to be allowing him to nap for the time being in his crib. Hopefully he will be fine and those pesky teeth will move along quickly.

Tonight I have to be to the airport at about midnight to pick up my parents. They were in California for my Cousin M’s wedding. I was so bummed about missing this.

Mazel Tov again M and B on your special day and have a wonderful honeymoon.

 

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Passover Ponderings

Growing up I really loved Passover. It was a fun holiday. We were able to see many of our relatives, tell the  story of the holiday and eat amazing food during the Seder. I have fond memories of many Passover seders at my Mimi and Poppy’s house. Whether it was at the house that they shared with Aunt T and Uncle H, or their apartment after selling the house – it was always wonderful times. After that we spent many Passovers at Aunt S and Uncle M’s house where the memories continued. The only negative in my childhood memory bank was taking lunch to school. Matzah and cream cheese got old after a while.

Flash forward to being an adult. Things have changed a lot. I still like the seders and passing on the traditions to our boys, but now I see the expense of the holiday (Passover food is flipping expensive) and know the preparations needed to kosher everything for the holiday. That does not even account for actually making the food for the seders.

This is a sneak peek of one of the cabinets that is housing our Passover food while we clean the kitchen for the upcoming week. There is a lot behind the front and we have even more in another cabinet. One of the items you can barely see is the pink of a 5 pound box of matzah  (behind the water) – a necessary beast. We were also lucky to score some Tam Tam crackers for the little guy to have. We were not sure we would find them thanks to the shortage this year. We never get pancake mix, but thought JSL may enjoy it since he likes pancakes. The cost of the tuna makes me ILL. Kosher for Passover tuna costs $1.88 a can!! Sick isn’t it?

Hidden Passover food stash

And here is even more stuff: 

Oy vey. . . more Passover food

The other cabinet has gefilte fish and a few other odds and ends. We also have some Passover stuffed cabbage (already made) in the freezer,  along with boneless chicken breasts and turkey to make burgers. Oh, there is also a lot of cream cheese, yogurt and cheese in the refrigerator. We can not forget that since it is crucial.  We probably will not need much more aside from lots of produce since we bulk up on meals with veggies (lots of salad) and snacks are fruit filled.

Oy vey . . . Passover is coming way too quickly for me.  Off I go to flood my brain with happy childhood memories of the holiday.

 

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