Esther & Adiel’s Blog

Alright, we really should have updated earlier but we are both ridiculously busy. There are also pictures that we will add next time, but for now this rather short summary will have to do.

So the Kiddush was awesome, really great. Mom came in from Atlanta on Thursday, it was wonderful to see her. She treated us to Chineze in Chosen Island and was very impressed with the quality, variety and taste of food. She also went to Costco and Gourmet Glatt with Adiel, who doens’t love great shopping centers. Then Adiel cooked chicken soup (mike style ) and fish.

Friday the house was buzzing all day. Loads of neighbors and relatives were bringing over all sorts of homemade goodies. Mommy and I and Adiel and Mom were cooking up a storm. Batya and Sorah Leah came and slept nearby and so did Moshe. It was all a lot of fun, very hectic and a good thing they changed the clock!! Friday night the meal was very nice. The 7 of us ate together and shared divrei torah, songs and good conversation.

The rain came down overnight but Boruch Hashem when we woke up in the morning, the sky was crystal clear. Remember last Shabbos there was storms? Despite the weatherman’s prediction of rain, it was a gorgeous day and people walked from as far as Lawrence (Schloss and Czermack), Bayswater (Shabsy and Rochie), and the walking winner of the day — Tina walked all the way from North Woodmere - the walk is like an hour and a half. Don’t worry she stayed for lunch.

Anyway, the kiddush was loads of fun. We had a lot of family and friends come in and out, take some food, make a lchaim and wish us mazel tov. There were all the goodies plus cholent and kugel from Oldak Caterers, formely of the LES. Other East Siders who came were the Sebrows and Solomons and the Selevens came by too. The whole party lasted close to two hours and at about 1ish I went downstairs to feed the party girl who behaved very nicely. Everyone else followed soon after. There was some arranging and setting up and by the time I came out, 2 tables full of 14 people were ready to eat. The meal was fun and enjoyable. Adiel said a beautiful dvar Torah about what Shaina means to us. The Koster girls spent most of the time fighting over, and throwing to the sky, the pink balloons that Adiel had bought on Friday.

We all got a chance to nap and that was that.
Thanks to all who participated in this special event — the first of hopefully many simchas that Adiel and I are making together as a family. To those who came, who sent food, who called, or who just said Mazel Tov: It means a lot to all of us. Special shout out to Mom who flew in and stayed till Sunday and Mommy who literally toook charge. Let’s keep sharing simchas, and IYH pictures will be posted soon.

Have an awesome Purim everyone!!! :)

Sorry for the long delay, last week was back to work for me, so you can imagine just how exhausting it was for all of us. It’s been a real challenge to spend the night with the baby, and still have energy the next day. My mornings start extra early to make sure to feed and get her ready, and I pump during the day to send to the baby-sitter during the day. I never appreciated mothers so much, so thanks to Mommy Price and Mom Miller and all of the wonderful mother out there. We’re aweseome!! Shaina is now spending her days at Morah Shira, her baby-sitter, who reports she is doing well. Monday was Shaina’s 6 week check-up. She got her shots but didn’t cry for too long, and she reportedly gained a pound since last visit. Not as much as we had hoped but the Dr. is happy with the way she looks.

Tuesday we went to the Yeshiva Primary Reunion. It was in Annie Chen, yummy food. R’ Deutscher spoke well and Adiel and I had a nice time, even though we didn’t know anyone. The seating was seperate but becuase we got there early, we were able to sit together as bookends to each side of the table :). Sometimes it pays to get there early! Shaina was right near us, in the corner and she slept the entire time.

Last week, Shaina’s friend Gavriel Koenig, and his mother, Shoshana came to visit. Even though he’s only 4 months older than her, what a difference that makes! Notices how their seats and bunting are exactly the same, just different colors. Like she usually does when visitors come over, Shaina shluffed through everything, but she was nice enough to let Gavriel use her swing.

This past week Shabbos we went to the Langsners in Brooklyn with Shabsy and Rochie and that was wonderful, we hadn’t been to them in ages! Adina J walked over and we shmoozed for a bunch, great seeing you, Adina!

Shaina’s kiddush is in two weeks, March 15 which is Parshas Zachor. We hope to see all of you here in Far Rockaway then!

Here are a couple of short clips of Shaina and me. I sound ridiculous but Shaina is adorable.

and starting to show personality! These are compliments of Bubby Price, baby-sitter extrodianaire.

Look at those blue eyes:

And we’re seeing traces of a smile!

Like father Like daughter!

Shaina. Shaina Nechama. Shaina Maidle. Shaina Looney. Shaina’la. Shaina Booba.

OMG. This girl is so cute and it makes it easier when dealing with the fact that she spits up, burps, poops, smells, cries for HER LIFE, farts LOUDLY when guests are holding her, keeps her mother up at night, wakes up daddy with kvetching, only likes the bouncer when the ’shaking’ switch is on, hates her bassinet, demands clean diapers IMMEDIATELY after she fills it, can’t stand bath’s, has made our whole apartment suddenly PINK, can’t find a comfortable position to sit/be held in, oh - did i mention that whe she cries, it’s not like a little whimper like you and i do it, she SCREAMS FOR HER LIFE!

Sheesh.

Here is a video you should watch (warning: woman singing) (warning 2: if you are a woman, you will cry whether you have baby issues or not):

 I Would Die For That

Getting a little bigger each day. Dr. Simai said she’s gaining weight nicely and is nearly a pound bigger than when she left the hospital. Thank you to Bubby Price for taking such good care of us the past couple of weeks and for the other family, friends and neighbors who have called, emailed, sent gifts, cooked dinners and came to visit. It was great seeing the Nooches last week in Far Rockaway.

Me and my boppy (and pacifier)

Peek-a-boo!

…but since some of you asked, we do have a baby registry.

Babies R Us Registry

We expect to see all of the items bought at the end of the week….;)

Just kidding, really no pressure we are thrilled with just visitors / emails / posts / phone calls / letters (!?) too.

Thanks for all of the mazel tov wishes, everyone. Shaina and I (and Adiel) are doing well, and anticipating our first Friday night (but second Shabbos) together.

These are for Mom, Amanda and all the rest who are clamoring for more pictures.
Warning: Shaina Nechama really hasn’t changed much since the day she was born.

Coming home from the hospital, to Mommy’s house.

Waiting for her first doctor’s appointment in the pediatrician’s office

Are you looking at me?

Looking nice and girlie

Model Pose!