Stuff and Whatnot

Do you remember my friend who got pregnant last April? Remember that she was pregnant with twins? Well she had her babies a few weeks ago!!! Her little girl just came home from the hospital today and her little boy will hopefully be coming home over the weekend. We are super excited for her!!!!!!!

Do you remember back last summer when we were supposed to be getting a new live-in? Well she finally recovered, and it turns out that she didn't actually bail on me without saying goodbye, but one of her friends was messing with me since she didn't want her to move to Boston. She's actually here now (along with a second au pair - I'm spoiled), and we are SO EXCITED!!! Both live-ins are fantastic, and the kids adore them.

And now for my awesomeness. I spilled water on my laptop the other day and thought I was completely done-for. So I ordered a new computer using my credit card reward points. But then I called Toshiba with a problem - a few of my letter keys weren't working since the water accident and I needed at least one of them cuz it's in my computer password. He showed me how to do that. Then I realized that maybe I could solve my letter problems by getting a new keyboard. So I ordered one. It arrived today, and I installed the keyboard all by myself!!!! I saved $100 doing that, and it wasn't too difficult, either. And it works! My computer is just as good as it was before the water thingy...and I'm still getting a new one cuz I can't cancel that order. Ahh well, there are worse things than a brand new computer!

Déjà vu

Here are all of the random things that have been going on lately:

First off, I'm really sorry I've been so bad about posting lately, but things got entirely messed up when the person who was supposed to be coming to live with us bailed. What a disaster! So we're still looking for someone to come and live with us...preferably someone who is honest and won't run away without saying goodbye.

As for the déjà vu, I have mastitis. :-( At the moment it doesn't seem to be as bad as when I had it with the twins, but it stinks nonetheless. I'm on antibiotics and will be taking tylenol round-the-clock to keep the chills and aches at bay. My mother-in-law is here this week, so she's a bit help and is teaching the twins to whisper because I'm not feeling well. It's super cute.

I finished my microbiology class on Tuesday evening, so I'm officially done for the summer. I'm almost 100% positive that I've pulled off another A, so I'm one class closer to valedictorian. :-) If I become valedictorian in two years, I will make sure that someone video tapes it so I can show you my speech.

I took my doula training class last week, so now all I need to do is attend births and I can get certified!! So if you live in the Boston area and are pregnant, get in touch with me so we can work together. :-) I have a whole doula bag full of labor supplies, and I'm also in the process of becoming Hypno-Doula certified with Hypnobabies. That means that I will be certified to work with women who are doing childbirth hypnosis of any type.

Tzipora had a visit at the Harvard Developmental Research Lab yesterday where they put on this cool electrode hat to measure the electrical impulses on her scalp while she watched a video screen. The study has to do with numbers and how infants process them. Isn't she a cutie?

So, now that you're all updated on my world, what's going on in yours?

Happy Blogoversary to Me!

I almost forgot my own Blogoversary!! Yipe! I can't believe I've been blogging for 3 years...it's just unreal. My whole life has changed so drastically since that first post. I began posting as an infertile woman who didn't know if she'd ever get pregnant period, and now here I am a mother of three - one of whom was actually conceived naturally!! I've seen so many miracles since I began blogging, and I feel so fortunate to have the amazing family I've been blessed with.

Speaking of family...how about a few updates?

Tzipora has started baby-led weaning and is doing great! She's getting the hang of it much quicker than the twins did. She's had carrot and sweet potato...even some asparagus, although I don't know if she's actually swallowed any of that. She can now pick up carrots, bite off a little piece and swallow it. She doesn't do it all the time, but I've seen it happen.

I've been trying to have Tzipora practice sitting more, but she's not so good at it. She more just flops over. She'll sit fine in the Bumbo or if I prop her against the couch, but with no support she just goes "wheeeee!"

Chana and Dovid are cute as ever. They talk in full sentences, sing songs, love having us read books, and can't get enough bubbles. They also enjoy playing with water - provided it's nowhere near a bathtub.

We were supposed to have a new live-in helper come last week, but unfortunately she's sick in the hospital and we aren't sure when (if?) she'll be joining us. I'm super sad about it because she's such a sweetheart, and it pains me that she's been hospitalized for so long. We're all praying that she gets better really soon so she can get out of the hospital and, of course, come live with us.

I have just one more week of summer school and then I get a month break until nursing school starts. I'm really, really excited about it!!

How are things with all of you out there in bloggy-land? I've had a few of my fellow bloggers post BFPs and such relatively recently, so I know there are some of you out there with good news... I'd love to hear more good news in comments!

Kicks and Things

I'm really starting to feel the baby move now. She's been moving around and kicking a bit. On Sunday we actually were able to feel her kick from the outside. Usually that comes much later, but I guess my hands were in the right place at the right time. It was funny because when Shmuel came into the room I told him to put his hands on my belly. He felt for a few seconds and then started giggling. I asked him if he could feel her kick and he said yes and that it was weird. Well it was even more weird since I couldn't feel it from the inside. lol But her movements are getting stronger and more frequent (at least in the fact that I'm feeling them). So cool and so exciting!

Dovid's getting more teeth. I can see a molar coming in up top!! Finally! I was really afraid he had no teeth. lol

Ziva, our au pair, left to go home earlier this week. *sob* We really miss her, and the twins will be starting at "day care" next week. (It's not really day care because it's just four kids - two of which are mine - being taken care of by one adult who happens to be a friend of mine, but it's easier for me to refer to it as "day care".) The twins have met her and at least one of the kids who will be with them, so I'm hoping the transition will go smoothly for everyone. I'll probably sit in for a few hours on the first few days to help in any case.

My amazing bloggy friend Eileen had her twins yesterday!!! She made it to 34 weeks, which was fantastic considering the numerous complications plaguing her pregnancy. This is truly a miracle and we are so, so happy for her! Happy birthday Matthew and Madeline!

New Teeth!

Chana is getting 4 more teeth! (All on the upper jaw) Dovid still has none, but Chana is working on these. I saw them the other day and it's just so cute. :-)

Now I bet you're all wondering how our new au pair is doing. Well let me tell you... Ziva is fantastic. She is so good with the kids, and she seems to actually enjoy working. :-) It is such a 180 from what was going on before. She's attentive to them, even while she's relaxing. She has fun with me...it's almost like living with your best friend. Seriously, it's like heaven. :-)

Whoops

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Let's update:

New Au Pair:

Awesome, fantastic, sweet, amazing, etc. Yeah, she's all that AND she watched M*A*S*H with me. Life just doesn't get any better. She is good with the kids; even Chana likes her. :-) She's into medical stuff, so I could tell her about my fistula and the birth and she was eating it all up. She likes Monty Python, so she gets my Monty Python references! She spends her time in the living room rather than in her own room, so we actually get to interact together. I enjoy her so much that I spend MORE time with the twins...because I want to help her and I want to be with her, and I get the sense that she enjoys being with me. It's win-win. Her name is Ziva, so you'll hear me talk about her I'm sure.

Twins:

Dovid can now say "mama" although I don't know if he actually knows what he's saying. But he goes "mamamamama" or "babababa". I'm just glad he's finally using consonants! Chana babbles, but she doesn't do consonants in a row like Dovid does; she just makes silly sounds. They both had a routine checkup with the eye doctor and both passed with flying colors. The eye doc said to wash Chana's clogged tear duct eye with diluted baby shampoo and let her rub it, because any massage it gets can help to clear it. She encouraged us to massage it as well.

Us:

The whole family went to spend the weekend with our friend Bill and his boys. We all had a great time and ate very well (i.e. raspberry babka, chocolate babka, Crembos, tongue...mmmmm). The only issue was the twins sleeping in our room...they kept us awake a lot more than they do at home. Yeah, now I'm really glad we didn't do co-sleeping or we'd never get any sleep. Every time they'd wake up and whimper, we'd have to get out of bed and feed, change and/or soothe them. But at home, we don't hear the whimpers, only the sincere cries. MUCH better situation.

G-d is Good

Yep. He really is. A few days ago I signed up for a website that has postings from potential au pairs and nannies. Some of the people on the website live in the US, some out of the US, some who want to live in your house, some who want to live out, etc. I posted our family's profile and went searching for Jewish au pairs...I didn't find anyone that really stood out. Then yesterday someone "hot listed" my family (meaning they saw our profile and thought we'd be a good fit for her). An Israeli girl ALREADY LIVING IN BOSTON!!! No specific child care experience, but she has nursing experience (which includes bathing and full care of all ages--babies to adults) and she also worked on a maternity ward (my dream job!) She came to our home for an interview today and got to meet the twins briefly. We went over the "job description" and all of that fun stuff. I just felt so comfortable talking to her, and I could tell she was comfortable with us. Shmuel and his mother also liked her, so once we have a chat with her references, I believe she's going to move in...like before Shabbos!!! How awesome is that???

In other news, I had my MRI today. It really wasn't *so* bad, because they put me in feet first. My head was just at the very edge of the machine, and I even got to listen to my favorite radio station (sort of) through a pair of headphones. The buzzing and banging was very interesting. Whenever they would change the setting on the machine it would make a new noise. It was loud, but the headphones made it softer, and I could still hear the music even if it was a bit fuzzy and muffled. The whole test took about an hour, but I got a short break part way through. Basically, they did the whole test (about 40 mins?) and then took me out of the machine. They said that they wanted to put ultrasound gel "down there" to try to get a better picture of the fistula, since ultrasound gel shows up very well on MRIs. I asked if I could go to the bathroom first, and then they put me back into the machine (now with ultrasound gel oozing everywhere...gross). They took more pictures for about 10 or 15 mins, and then I was done. YAY! During the test I was fine while the banging was going on...I just breathed slowly and closed my eyes. I could open my eyes and look up and behind me and see outside the machine a bit, so that helped my nerves. But almost every time they changed the settings on the machine they would inch me into the machine a weensy bit...like probably a 1/2 inch, but to me felt like a ton. So I would have this panic that they were going to stick my head the whole way in, but once the noise got going I calmed down since I knew they wouldn't move me even a centimeter while it was taking pictures. The nurses and the doctor were so nice, so I felt in good hands. I have no idea what the results are yet, but I will let you know when I know!

She's Gone...

Shifra left early this afternoon. And I wanted to respond to something that was left in my comments. I did love having Shifra with our family, and I was very hurt when she decided to leave. Sure, she got on my nerves, but so would anyone living in the same house together. My hubby gets on my nerves and I get on his...when I was living with my best friend we definitely got on each other's nerves, so getting on someone's nerves really doesn't mean much. I tried to welcome her into my home in the best way I knew how. I gave her gifts on Chanukkah (and I didn't even get Shmuel anything...) I tried to cheer her up when I knew she was down, I got her foods she wanted to eat, I did anything she asked of me. And I really thought we had a connection, but when she told our childcare coordinator (in front of me) that she felt no connection to my family and wanted to leave as soon as possible, I was devastated. I couldn't imagine what I had done to deserve that. I had no idea what else I could have done to make her feel at home. And here she was practically running out of my house as if I had the plague. She didn't even bother to say goodbye to the twins...and she might not have said goodbye to me if she hadn't needed to give me a note and the cell phone she borrowed from us. I'm still shocked, and it may take me some time to get over that hurt.

In other news, Chana pulled herself up to a stand by herself for the first time yesterday! Yaaaaay! And I'm going to have my MRI on Sunday...whoop de do. :-P I asked the office if they'd be able to do my surgery before Jan 1st, but they said that would be impossible. Greeeeeat, now I'm going to need to pay for part of the surgery (that would've been covered in full had it been done in 2009). Although the nurse in the office said they might not have to do surgery, I'm not particularly hopeful for that outcome. That would just make things too easy, and almost nothing is ever easy for me. :-)

What Next?

I'm not even going to mention what went down this morning...let's just say it was more of the same. Shifra is leaving tomorrow evening.

As for me, my OB/Gyn called yesterday to tell me that my test results were normal, but she wanted to see me today in her office. Why on earth would she want to see me if my tests were normal? Well, I'll tell you. The tissue they found wasn't cancer, thank G-d, but it was endocervical tissue. That means tissue that is found on the INSIDE of the cervix...and this stuff was found on my vagina. Her theory was that there's a fistula (meaning a tunnel) going from my vagina to my cervix (and who knows where else), and she needed to test that theory AND send me for an MRI. Greeeeeat. How was she going to test this? With infant formula... Yes, she squirted formula into my you know wheres to see if there's a tunnel. If there was a tunnel, it would go in the hole and out my cervix (and vice versa). And what do you know, she was right. Whoooops. She thinks that this was a result of my horrific C-Section, and she needs me to have the MRI to see where this fistula is going and how bad it is. Then she needs to have it fixed...that means surgery. ICKAROONIES!!! I was like "can I do it with a spinal, I'd rather not have general again." Hey, if it's going to suck I'd rather have it suck for a 1/2 hour than for several days, you know? So that's what it is...and now I need to find child care BADLY because I obviously won't be able to take care of them when I have surgery. Geez, why does everything bad have to happen at once? But you know, I would take this a hundred times over what she could have said (you know, the "c" word...) So seriously, I am grateful as all hell that this is all it is.

Toilet Update

According to Shifra, the toilet was overflowing while she was in the other room, and the Pampers thing she was trying to use to unclog the toilet after it was already overflowing. She claims it was an accident and that it was acting of its own accord, so now I can't ask her for the money...greeeeat, now I'm out $175! And she's actually nervous it might happen again because she wasn't here to tell the plumber where the water was coming from. I may call him tomorrow and ask if he'll come back to check while she's here...and BEG that he doesn't charge me again.

In other news, I forgot to tell you that we went to the pediatrician today. The twins got clean bills of health and were weighed and measured, of course. I'll do a detailed post on that later when I'm not so upset.

Worst.Day.Ever.

First, our au pair decided yesterday that she wanted to leave...as soon as humanly possible. Now I knew she was unhappy and bored to tears, because taking care of infants for 8 hours a day is not all fun and games. It takes a really special person to enjoy doing that...I sure as heck don't! I'd freak out if I had to do what she does every day, but that's beside the point. She's leaving me at the worst possible time! I'm supposed to be starting school in a month AND we had a trip to Baltimore planned in January. I bought her a flipping plane ticket to come with us!! If I don't have a third person to come, there's no way Shmuel and I will be able to take the twins and all their stuff by ourselves. So that's $200 down the drain for those tickets... To top it all off, she clogged the toilet upstairs and then called us to say that a pipe had burst. There is water EVERYWHERE!! In her bathroom, but even worse...it's dripping from the ceiling into OUR bathroom. It smells like feces... It is so horribly gross, you can't even imagine. And I just had to pay $175 to a plumber to unclog her toilet...which was clogged with the wrapper to some Pampers wipes. Who on earth puts a plastic wrapper like that in the toilet?!?!? It's like she wants to leave so badly she's trying to get kicked out of the house. Well that's lovely, but first you have to pay me the $375 on top of what you already owe me... Geez.

Shifra's Back!

Yay! My au pair is finally back from vacation, so I can start working again. I think first I'll do the website coding lessons that my "boss" (i.e. my best friend Melanie) wants me to do. She eventually wants me to help her with creating websites, but first I need to learn how. Next, I'm going to work a bit on my Names Unlimited page, which is still under construction (although you're welcome to look at it and order things...just email me for info). Then I'm going to sort all of the laundry that's sitting on the couch opposite me, and finally I'm going to start packing for Rochester. How long do you think this is all going to take me? Probably a few weeks, so I'd better get started now (seeing as I leave for Rochester in 2 days). :-)

Shabbos

The pierogies were a hit! Shifra even said it was like eating in a 5-star Polish restaurant, but I think she was just being nice. :-) They were even good cold today...mmmmm. So worth it, even though my arms need at least two weeks rest from any activity. Kneading and rolling the dough worked muscles I didn't even know I had, and now they're sore. lol

I highly recommend getting an au pair for anyone who is looking for childcare. It's so much less expensive than any other, and it has SO many benefits:

1) It doesn't matter if you have one kid or seven, you pay the au pair the same amount regardless.

2) The au pair is in your home and will do everything for your kids--laundry, toys, making meals, etc.

3) Your au pair is flexibile. If you work one day from 9 to 5 and the next from 10 to 6 and the next from 3 to 11 it doesn't matter. If you want to go out with your husband for a night on the town, she's there. As long as she doesn't work more than 45 hours a week and more than 10 hours in one day, it's all good.

4) You get a new cultural experience! With an au pair coming from a different country, your kids (and you) will find out all about that country, language, traditions, foods and culture. Mmmmm pierogies...

5) If you're lucky like me, you will have an amazing addition to your family who is practically like a long-lost sister. :-)

I can't think of any more right now, but I'm sure there's more.

She's here!

Yup, you heard me right. Shifra is here! Her bus was an hour early (2:00pm), which was awesome and gave her more time to unpack and get ready for Shabbos. She is just as sweet as can be, and I feel very lucky that we found her.

In order to make her feel more at home, I made home-made pierogies for dinner. Because we eat fleishig on Shabbos, I needed to find a non-dairy recipe. Which I did, as you can see by the link to the recipe. It was a patchkerai, as my mother would say, and my forearms will never be the same again (from kneading the dough). But, I'm hoping they'll be worth it. I can't wait to see the look on her face when I serve home-made semi-authentic Polish pierogies. :-) Yummmm...

Click HERE for more Hebrew & Yiddish word definitions

Au Pair

My husband and I decided that the best way to have someone care for our twins while we work is to get an au pair. The only issue is that we wanted someone who is Orthodox Jewish...and that's a near impossibility. Little did we know that we're ridiculously lucky people. We applied with Cultural Care Au Pair and they found us an Orthodox Jewish woman from Poland within a day. WOOOO!!! She is so sweet and we are SOOO excited to be welcoming her into our home in mid-August. If any of you are looking for child care, I highly recommend them. Not only is it the least expensive way of having someone care for your kids (less than $350 per week), but their fee is per family and not per child...which is especially good for those of us who are parents of twins (or more). Here's some info on the discounts they have available right now:

A brand new website and a special offer for new families!
To celebrate aupairvideos.com, we are offering new families a $350 application fee waiver and an additional $150 program fee discount for a total savings of $500! Use promo code *EMAIL ME FOR IT* when you apply to take advantage of this offer. Host families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair, apply by July 18, 2009 and welcome an au pair into their home by October 23, 2009.

$250 LGBT Discount
LGBT families who apply by December 31, 2009 are entitled to a $250 program fee discount. Families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair. Please contact *ME* to learn more about this discount.

$250 Host Family Referral Discount
Current families will receive a $250 program fee discount for each new family referred to our program that welcomes an au pair into their home (Discount will be applied when the au pair arrives in the home). Each family you refer will also enjoy a $200 program discount, thanks to you! Referral discounts can go beyond the $650 maximum discount allotment. Referrals must be received by September 1, 2009. For referring and referred families to qualify for the $250 and $200 program fee discounts (respectively), referred host families must welcome an au pair into their home by October 23, 2009.

If any of you are interested, let me know and I can give you a bunch of promo codes to get the maximum discount allowed.

That's it for my shameless plug, but hopefully you can tell how excited I am to have found this au pair. Seriously, she's the answer to my prayers from G-d Himself.


In other news, I bought a neat anniversary gift for Shmuel. It's called "Lovopoly" and this is what the board game that I designed looks like (don't worry, he won't see this because he doesn't read my blog):