Working on English

Having made a decision to sign Eden up for dance this year over English lessons, I keep wondering how we can bolster her English skills. At the moment, she speaks English fine, although sometimes very simple words slip her mind, like colors. She knows the ABCs, but cannot recognize all the letters, never mind the sounds.
I guess I'd like to imagine that she will pick it up quickly when she does start to learn it in school, and hopefully, she will be able to join the English for English speakers classes. Here in Modiin, parents are so meticulous about getting their kids' English skills up to par though, that I wonder.
A friend of mine with a son about Eden's age says that she does not send him to English classes, although she does work with him on English every day. That's tough I think, spending our time together in the evenings working on something that isn't completely enjoyable. She gets annoyed with it. This friend of mine also is home in the afternoons, and I imagine has a lot more time to spend on it. Somehow I just can't imagine fitting it in between 5 PM pick up time and 8 PM bed time, along with dinner, bath, play, just enjoying eachother's company. Never mind Baby.
Makes me think about exactly how important her English skills are to me. Yes, its of utmost importance that she can carry on an intelligent conversation with English speakers (such as her grandparents, great-grandparents, and myriads of cousins). Yes, it would be nice if she could read and write decently as well - well enough to communicate with the above and also to serve her well in the business world in the future. (That's everyone's excuse for pushing English - its a global economy! She'll make more money if she reads and writes English well. When we all know that WE just communicate better in English and would prefer that she does also!) But at the end of the day, do I need to prepare her for the SAT's? Does she really need to be prepared for ANYTHING - including college in the US? What am I doing moving to Israel if I think she might be going back at some point? Or is that really just her decision, and I should leave all of her options open.
At the end of the day, she needs to be able to express herself in writing. In a language. She also needs to be (like me!) a voracious reader and seeker of information. In a language. And most of all, she needs to be able to do that at a young age - now, and through college. That's when I want to hear what she has to say - when she's 15, I want her to be able to write a term paper that she's proud of. Eventually, a college essay that really expresses who she is. At 10, a paper expressing her opinion of a book she read, or what she did on her summer vacation. Do I care that she does it in English or Hebrew? I'd prefer that she does it in a language I can read of course, but maybe that just means that my Hebrew needs to get better. I'd prefer she does it well.
Where am I going with all this.....at the end of a long day, I'd prefer to hear about her day - in English or in Hebrew - and tell me how she felt about it, than sit for 45 minutes and work on the ABCs. I'd prefer to cuddle over a story that I read to her - in English! - than sit at the table drilling letter sounds. I hope that's enough, and hope that looking back in 20 years, she's happy we preferred that too.

Baby news: Nothing. Am keeping close to home today though. Should probably be walking around to get this moving instead of sitting and blogging...but....I am just so so tired.

** Note: If it turns out that she is not a voracious reader and seeker of information, that is OK too and I will not love her any less is she turns out completely different from me.

Daddy Bear wears pink, and My decision to not wait any longer

I spent the day today with Eden. We did lots of things. One thing in particular:
You know how no matter how much people try to turn kids gender non-specific? Buying their boys dolls, and their girls trucks, and so forth. And then the boys just end up shooting off their dolls' heads, and the girls end up dressing up the trucks. And no matter what, all little girls want to be princesses, brides, or mommies when they grow up.
Well, today, Eden dressed her Daddy Bear all in pink. Granted he did come with a pink bunny suit, which is soft and cuddly and cute, but has also actually been on him for about 3 full days in the past 4.5 years. Especially since she started to call him Daddy Duby (Daddy Bear). Well today, he was totally decked out in the pink bunny suit, plus her pink plush winter hat.
I asked her if she thought it was a little funny that he was wearing all pink. Does she know any boys who wear pink? Her response, "Well he likes pink. He also likes blue and yellow and green. He likes all the colors."
And we weren't even trying :). Eden's favorite color? Yellow!

Also - decision: I am no longer waiting for this baby. That does NOT mean that we are going to the hospital tonight. Also, it does not mean anything else. All it means is that I am no longer waiting with bated breath. I'm wearing the clothes I packed for the hospital, and they are actually dirty, and will have to be washed again if I want to take them with me. I stopped putting my deodorant back in the bag for fear I'll forget it. I'm not thinking that we are going to the hospital every night. I've resigned myself to the idea that this could last another 2 weeks or more, and I'm just going to enjoy myself. Or, at least as best I can, back aching, belly aching, legs aching, and feet so swollen that my crocs are tight. (Can you believe it?!!?) Getting through my last week at work and doing my best to get some sort of supper on the table (Ben, there's leftover pizza in the fridge. Want to stick it in the oven?)

I'm not really conscious of a real change in myself, but Ben has noticed it. He hasn't exactly called me "lazy", but did say how out of character it is for me to not be able to move much. He points out that I let other people serve themselves when they come to visit (normally my kitchen is off limits), and that when my sister came for Shabbat last, I let her strip the bed. He realizes that it just hurts to move, and has been fantastic about it. I do think that he probably looks forward to the time when the independent go getter that he married comes home again though. I don't blame him, and I think that I do too. It'd be nice to eat something decent and get the laundry put away faster. Let's hope this baby is nice and calm.

At arrivals

No, not yet.
I feel similar to someone waiting at arrivals at the airport. Let's say its someone you love, someone you haven't seen in a long time, someone that you want to dash out and hug the minute, nay, split second, you see them. And you know that their flight has landed, and they are just getting their bags.
And its Ben Gurion right before the holidays. And the person you are waiting for will be wearing a black hat and suit.
Ok so not likely that I'd run out and hug that person. But let's just say.
And they don't have a cellphone so you can find out where they are. And their bags are the last to come through. And you even got to the airport early, well, just in case. After all, there might have been traffic.
Every person you see coming through those doors, you say - is that them? Is that them? Is it? Now? Now? And you want to sit down and just rest, but you can't, because what if you miss that first look at them??!!!
Remember that huge screen they used to have at B.G., where you could see the people just a minute before they actually came out? And you watched both the screen and the door, even though you'd just seen those people on the screen?

Yeah, so that's me now.

Yesterday, my c-section scar started to hurt. A lot - like real, stinging pain. Like the kind of pain I don't remember feeling since it was closing up. And it hurt more when I touched it, and it certainly felt like it was stretching thin. At the time I didn't think too much of it.

I called my midwife this morning, just in case. And she said that as long as the baby is kicking and the pain feels like its on the skin only, and isn't really coming together with the contractions, its probably OK. But that if it made me feel better, it's definitely a reason to go down to the clinic for a monitor. I called the woman's clinic, who said regardless, it's definitely a reason to come down and get it checked out.

So down I went, a part of me thinking, wow - if they don't like this then I could be in the OR in just a couple hours. Too bad about all that VBAC prep, I'd rather get this baby out safely. And there goes future VBACs. And once again, tried to cancel meetings for tomorrow, send out status emails, think of last minute things to put in my bag, and prepare myself for the possibility that they'd say that just in case, they'd like to send me for another C. Of course you can refuse these things, but I'm not the woman to say, nah, I don't believe you and I'd rather hold out for my natural birth. Risking the life of this one and the possibility of never having any more children (that's basically what happens when a c-section scar rips). And I went down and got a monitor done. And an ultrasound. And then (whew!) met with a doctor to discuss it all. Who told me that all is fine, heartbeat and contractions both look great. And nothing doing just yet.

So I'm still here, watching that screen. What is it about human beings that draws us to paranoia?

Still waiting

It's been almost a week now since I first thought that we were heading to the hospital. The week has been - interesting. Almost every night, I've gone to bed with the idea that perhaps this was it. And then woke up in the morning to ... nothing.

I finally met with my midwife again yesterday. We kept scheduling meetings and then she had a birth, or another emergency and had to cancel. Well, at least she called, and was nice about it, and was eager to speak to me, find out how I was doing, and reschedule for as soon as possible.

She said that this could go on for another week. Or even longer. Was curious about whether I was going to go into September or not. September!!!!

The good news is I suppose that the longer this goes on, the easier the actual birth might be. Still no promises, but if we do the work over a period of 3 weeks, then there should be a lot less to do on the day of the birth right? Hopefully.....

Many people wonder why I don't take off from work already. The contractions are often strong enough to take my breath away, and I don't walk around so easily. Eden asked this morning why I wasn't coming with her and Daddy on their little tiyul, and I said - I can't walk from one end of the house to the other! I can't go on a tiyul! And yet, I'm not that tired, just my back aches a lot. If I was home already, I'd be bored out of my mind, or would be spending too much money on coffee dates. So I'm happy to still be working, and feeling very very lucky to work in a very understanding office. I worked at home 3 days last week. Thursday, I just woke up in the morning, felt a sore throat coming on, and decided it wasn't worth it. I rescheduled my meeting and decided to stay home working on the couch again with my feet up. It keeps me busy, keeps my mind active, and yet I have the flexibility to say when it's enough. I appreciate that not every office would say that. I suppose it helps that my direct manager is already out on maternity leave, and the rest of the office is busy enough to just have an extra pair of hands. It's actually quite relaxing, and I even enjoy it.

Our new rocking chair is divine. Very addicitive. I could sit it in for hours, just rocking. Big time waster. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Waiting

A friend of mine is waiting for engineers and contractors and plumbers and the electric company. She's building a house, and has this picture on her blog:

That's exactly how I feel too.

Yesterday, I felt - well not real contractions, but definitely funny. All day. And then some contractions where I had to think - is that painful? Really? Is this it?

And then I really thought I was heading for the hospital. I was also nervous and anxious to pack. So I tried to wrap things up at work, updating status sheets, sending emails. I finished packing my bag, and even had to take my toothbrush out again this morning. I worried that I hadn't emptied the dishwasher, or packed a bag for Eden to take to her grandparents, and that there was no juice in the house. I asked Ben to copy all our remaining Scrubs and the Office episodes to the laptop. And I tried to think through all the contingencies.

However, at some point, I had to go to sleep. And I slept straight through the entire night, something I haven't done in a week or so. So here I am, still waiting. Ben thinks it could go on for another 2 weeks.

I feel like it could be any day now. But is that wishful thinking or a real gut instinct? And do I try to move it along or let it be - this baby will come in her own time?

Baby Update

I went for an ultrasound this morning to measure the baby's weight (totally approximate, most people I know have been somewhat-to-way off). She's weighing in at 2.900 kg, which is totally on target, and also totally basically full term. Kind of scary, thinking that I could possibly have another month to go at least, if I go until 42 weeks. Ben says unlikely, but you never know. Aughgh!

Other news- amniotic fluid is low. Not dangerously, but I'm going back next week to get it measured again. Maybe they'll induce early or even better maybe an emergency C section. A large part of me is still dreading having to push this baby out.

I do think we are finally ready. As of last week, we had nothing. 2 vacation days this week bought me lots of toiletries, nursing supplies, a new rocking chair (Ben thought we were getting a hanglider when I said "glider", so we don't use that word to avoid confusion). Also Ben put together the crib, moved the changing table into the baby's room. We are still re-arranging the things in Eden's room, but if we had the baby tomorrow (or today!), I'd feel prepared.

Baby Registry

Before Eden was born, we needed EVERYTHING. And, unfortunately, couldn't afford much. So when we registered, or were asked for gift suggestions, we said - basics. Clothing. Necessary furniture. Stroller. Car seat. Books. Etc. And when we bought things, we bought the cheapest thing we found first.
This time around, things are (thank God) a bit different. We have most everything already. I have a closet full of piles of baby clothes to sort and fold. (Of course we could use more. I think every baby deserves some outfits that were bought for HER and aren't 4.5 years old....). We have a crib, changing table, high chair, baby carrier, car seat, stroller. And what we don't have, or what was so junky we've already thrown it out, we are happy to buy again - newer and better quality. Living in a bigger city, we also have access to better stores.
But of course, the US is the den of consumerism, and I am a sucker for gadgets. Also, I had some good ideas for toys for Eden. So I started a very small baby registry for things that are small and packable/shippable from the US, battery powered if electric, useful, and fun, and not easily accessible here, or MUCH more expensive if so.
There isn't much on there just yet. Suggestions welcome.

The Great Barbie Debate

We're there. I have a four year old daughter, and another one on the way (SOON!!!) and am thinking of some good big-sis presents. Presents that say Eden on them, presents that she can play with by herself, feel big, and not be reminded that there is a screaming small thing in the other room taking up much of her mommy's and daddy's attention.
Hence, books about being a big sister are great. But they do kind of rub salt in the wound I think. Same goes for baby doll things for little kids, like the moby wrap I saw for kids and little strollers and cradles, etc.
Trying to brainstorm some other gifts, I came up with Barbies. True, Barbies also have lots of small pieces, but she's right at the age where she can dress them herself. The other day she wanted to cut one of her dolls hair - she wanted it "little, like yours". I said no....as it is, she puts leave in conditioner in them, which can't be great for it.
Anywhoo - do I really want to introduce Barbies? We had them as kids, and I can't say my body image is so terrible. True, not great, but don't see how it could have been much better by not having Barbies. And they are durable, versatile, you can buy them endless outfits, there are Kens and Barbie babies and who knows what else to add to the collection. This is something that could last years.
On the other hand, the image of naked Barbies lying around the house really does make me cringe. They will need to be dressed at all times, except while bathing or getting dressed....just like Eden. No lounging in the nude is allowed for Barbie.
Any thoughts?

Babble

I found a new site to waste time on. No really, something finally to replace Slate, which was getting boring, not enough new content, sensationalist, and sometimes a little inappropriate to read at work. And its embarrassing how much time I spend on facebook.
And so I found Babble.com, a mommy site that says me all over it. Nobody here hawking unrealistic opinions about how much money you've got to have saved before thinking about trying to get pregnant (Really, I read one message board post about how you've got to have at least 200K+ in the bank, or you are setting yourselves up for poverty and doing your future children a serious wrong. Right, so Eden would not have been born, and I would not be pregnant now.) Also no one here trying to explain why I've got to eat X and not Y, or that giving my kid too many sweets or not enough extracurricular is going to end up with her in expensive therapy.
Currently, I've got 8 tabs open that I want to read. Articles that I'm actually really interested in, instead of feigning interest in someone's weird problems on Dear Prudence. Which may be somewhat interesting for a moment, but not really informative.

Some of their interesting features are some great top 5's, like top 5 strollers -( Sarah, you've got competition! You should join them I think), top 5 play kitchens, top 5 thermometers. Did you know they sell 3 packs of forehead therms in the states for like $5? Thats what I want, we are always losing ours.

Also a column called WTF. I think that this is really progressive. I mean, who really heard of a serious magazine, even online, with a cussword in the title? Even in acronym....but its got some weird stuff. Like a japanese doll that comes with her own nursing vest. So that the girl who plays with her can feed her too, just like mommy. Sucking noises and everything. WEIRD!! On the side they refer to a kid's moby wrap, which i think is a lot more practical.

Nice column on equal parenting. For parents who split breadwinning and childraising and home management down the middle. I like to think we do this quite well, and it works for us, and I'm really proud of it. There are some things that are certainly my job and some things that are certainly his, but we are both prepared to switch when push comes to shove. And we know how. I mean, except for budgeting and money management...you kind of need to know how to add and subtract really well to keep track of that. Yeah, that's not me.

Some good columns recently on how to beat the heat in the city with a toddler. What is good spacing between kids. That formula is not poison. And a great interview with Penelope Leach, who says unequivocally that full time mommying is not best for everyone.

Anyhoo. Head on over, or watch my facebook links. I'll be sharing links regularly I think - I like pretty much everything I read on babble.

Independence, Here I Come

Today was a fast day. Admittedly, I didn't fast, but I did have a tiring day at work, and Ben was of course fasting. So when Eden and I came home, we set her up with a movie pretty quickly, and chilled on the couch together. Eden came down when her movie was done, and we asked her to make sure to turn the A/C off before she came downstairs. It's really just a push of a button, its the largest button on the remote, and she likes to push those buttons anyway.

When we went back upstairs after she'd gone to bed, we realized that she'd not only turned off the A/C correctly but also:
1) Turned the screen off
2) Took the DVD out of the player
3) Put the DVD back in it's case
4) Put the DVD case back on the shelf.

All of her own volition! Wow! A kid I don't have to clean up after anymore!

A couple other milestones: Eden can now reach the light switch, and the hooks for our bags and coats.

This means a few things - that we need REALLY need to teach her not to turn the lights on and off on Shabbat, and that, at least when it's not Shabbat, to always turn the light off when she leaves a room. Also, she now makes a habit of hanging up her backpack when she comes home instead of leaving it on the floor. Pretty, pretty cool.

On the flip side, she knows where the permanent marker is that we use to write her name on her water bottles. She also knows how to write her own name, and does so - on all the water bottles she takes to gan (we switch them weekly). So we usually trust her with the marker, and think nothing of leaving it accessible. Except that it's red, and today she thought it would make an excellent color for lipstick. Which it does, and she applies it well for a four-year old. But its permanent marker. Luckily, we were able to scrub it off, or she'd have been particularly pretty this Shabbat, in her own way.

Off topic - on the baby front, there is something always going on in my belly. Or at least it seems that way. Either its Braxton-Hicks of the type that are enough to wind me, or I sit and rest and drink water to calm the Braxtons and the baby wakes up and wants to play. Its very tiring. Enough to almost make me want to fast Tish'a B'Av and go into labor early. A co-worker pointed out that Ben might not want to drive me to the hospital and be a supportive labor coach while on the worst fast of the year. I suppose I'll have to agree.

Guilt, School Age Version

Tomorrow is Eden's last day of gan this year. Wednesday she has one day of vacation (wow!) and then Thursday starts daycamp.

She came home today with 2 big packets of "avodot" - her year's work. Two big packets of fours drawn over and over, and samech's and ayin's. Lines drawn from the picture of two girls to the number 2. Etc.

Eden worked hard on these. She's proud of them - as am I! I can't believe my girl knows how to write a 2 and 5 perfectly. But do I really need to keep them? How much of this stuff can I keep? I throw out most of her drawings week to week...even the good stuff she does at home. She can go through an entire notebook in a couple of sittings. Really, I can't keep all of it. I know that she gets disappointed when I throw them out, so I try to do it when she's not looking. Sometimes I make her help me clean up the mess (especially when she's been doing cut art), and it feels a little sadistic. Making an artist throw away her afternoon's work. But really, its trash.

Two whole notebooks of work though. Can I really throw it out? How can I keep it? How can I set that sort of precedent? Will she be forever angry at me for not appreciating her efforts? What's the "done" thing here?

Spooksville

Eden knew I was pregnant before I did (granted, she also had thought I was having a baby for the entire year beforehand...this had nothing to do with the size of my tummy).
She also claims to "know" that it's a girl.
As in:
Me: "You know, even though the doctor says it's a girl, the only one who really knows is God.
Eden: "And me. It's a girl."

But tonight took the cake. See we've already chosen a name for the baby if it's a girl, and, well, Eden didn't guess it, but she came pretty close.

Let's say we've chosen the name Dina (we didn't). Eden has no friends named Dina. I don't know if she's ever heard the name before.

And she was playing with the phone, and brought it to Ben, and said, "Say hello to Dina!" We were floored. Why would she choose that name? Was it in a story they told today at gan? Is that a coincidence? Or does she really have some sort of a sense? She proceeded to tell us to talk to Dina's mommy and daddy...and that Dina had a little girl. Ooookay.

They say children under six have ruach hakodesh.....spooky.

I expected the worst and came out pleasantly suprised

This evening could have been a disaster. We almost didn't go, and I was bracing myself for the worst, most tiring, frustrating, and physically uncomfortable night ever.
We went to buy a closet.
We've been wanting to put a closet in the future baby's room for some time now. Our experience with buying furniture in Israel has included Shuk Hapishpushim, Ikea, Ramat Gan furniture area, internet shopping, Beitili, the Modiin list, and an adorable little mom-and-pop store where we bought Eden's bed a few years ago. Most of it has been: hot, exsausting, expensive and/or low quality, and we didn't want to do any of that again.
I expected our trip to the Rishon Letzion "Israel Furniture Center" (Mercaz Rihutim HaYisraeli) to be much the same. Especially when we were taking Eden (in the car, which she doesn't especially like), after gan, at exactly dinner, bath, and bed time. I was already hot, swollen and uncomfortable, I didn't expect it to get much better.
But what a suprise. I didn't know this place existed, and no more are we going anywhere else for any other piece of furniture. It's a huge indoor souk of furniture - couches, tables, chairs, lounges, closets, bedroom sets, you name it. It's spread out over this huge area, each store owner having a nebulous corner to call his own, or sprawling all of his goods over a whole section. You could get lost. There is no map, no organization. The bathroom stall had neither toilet paper nor a working lock, and was up 2 flights of steep steps. It was not air conditioned. In short, it could have been horrible.
But it wasn't - it was one of the most interesting and enjoyable experiances I remember having in Israel.
We wandered around for a short while before what we wanted caught our eye. We had no recommendations to go on, but decided to ask about it anyway. The guy's name is Tony (yes he's Israeli!) and was friendly, patient, and helpful. It wasn't crowded and we were his only customer at the time, and he was able to give us his undivided attention.
I let Eden roam, check out the different couches and beds, while we decided on what we wanted. There wern't that many people in the area at all, and the neighboring shop owner came to give us advise and explain about the different wood types, and what was better (they don't compete - the other guy sells living room furniture only). Of course, we got to talking, playing some Jewish geography. He lived in Monsey for years. His 20 year old son, Danny, lives in Livingston, NJ with his mom, but is here visiting for the summer, and was there also. Eden got a bit bored with the couches, so Danny sat down with her and taught her to play chess. I haven't heard such a thick NJ accent in years. You'd almost think it was fake. Eden was delighted to make a friend and I think she knows that he let her win.
Maybe the two shop owners - Tony and the guy next door - make it a habit of recommending eachother. He made it a point to tell me that Tony did quality work, and that we were getting something well worth our money. And that he wasn't going to overcharge us - he would make the shekels stretch. I told him what a good kid Danny seemed to be, how much he clearly loved kids.
So we will see. Our closet arrives within 14 days. Its got tall hanging on the left, with 2 shelves above, and 4 drawers and shelves on the right. Tony said that if we ever wanted to add onto it in the future, it would not be a problem to add on from the same style, so I felt confident about buying only what we need now, and not worrying about later.
Maybe I'm wrong - I've been a bad judge of character before - but it seems to me that these people are the real thing. It doesn't seem that Tony's out to cheat us (we did no haggling), it does seem that he wants to be able to satisfy his customers. Until we actually have it built, I won't really recommend him, but I will say that he gave a mighty good impression. And I'm quite the cynic, not easy to impress, and salespeople usually have an especially difficult time.
On the way home, we kept the windows open and Eden loved that we went fast on the highway. The entire evening could have been much much much worse. We were out for almost 3 hours. But it really wasn't; it was enjoyable and we'll also have a new closet in about 2 weeks!

Hooray! I can start nesting!

On the search again

So I admit, I'm fairly easily persuaded. I sit on the fence on enough important issues, that you can debate me either way with most things, and, barring rape, theft, and murder, I may agree that you have a point. I may not agree with your point, may have different moral points of view, but I will accept that its a valid and legitimate argument.

So this afternoon when my friends sitting at the park with me said that it was a terrible idea to do a couple things I was sure that I'd do, it was pretty easy for me to agree with them. I mean 4 out of 4 is not nothing.

No great moral quandaries here - really its just money. But in a country where not getting cheated is a national sport, it really is a moral obligation to be careful. And we don't have all the money in the world to just throw at people who ask for it.

So. I'm on the lookout again for another midwife. And another day care. Apparently it really is ridiculous for anyone to ask for more than a deposit on a child at a daycare, maximum a month's pay. Also it's unheard of to charge for an initial consultation with a midwife, AND ask that you come to her.

So here's my strategy, and it involves lots of phone calls and effort. #1 - posted a message on the local email list. Can't hurt. #2 - calling Dyada tomorrow, a nationwide organization that supports pregnant woman, childbirth, and babyhood. They have birthing courses, perhaps they also have a listing of area midwives. #3 - calling the very few midwives listed on www.leida.co.il - actually 2 I've already called. One of them never calls back (not a promising trait in a midwife) and the other doesn't do hospital births, but recommended me to her friend who charges NIS 300 just to meet her. I suppose I could do better.

After that... I don't know. About the childcare..... I don't know. First thing I suppose is sort out more of a plan and attack this in a sensible, efficient way. Give it effort, it's worth it. It's just very aggravating to have to make an effort. Especially when you weigh lots more than you did last summer, and it is very very very hot.

Also on my list for tomorrow is making a dentist appointment for Eden. Whatever else comes, she will get her teeth cleaned before this baby is born.

Follow up

So I went and interviewed my friends caretaker. And I really liked her! She is a warm, loving, South American grandmother. I'll probably have some ifs, but I would anywhere, and in terms of quality of care, quantity of attention and love, and location location location, we really couldn't do better.
She isn't even that expensive, except that, she is asking us to pay full price starting in December, and 1/3 of the price for Sept, Oct, and Nov, to reserve the place. I understand her point of view, this is after all her income, and she can't afford to find out in December that I don't think I'll need her until February, or something like that. Nor can she afford to lose an entire quarter's income. But still, oh boy, what if I don't decide to go back until March? It's a gamble I suppose.

We could look into other options. But it would probably mean a longer walk and less quality of care, or paying much much much more and getting a private nanny, which isn't really my style either. That really does feel too bourgeoisie. So I think we may go with this woman - nothing is perfect after all. Got to get a move on though about it.

Meanwhile, I STILL have not met with my midwife. We've spoken on the phone a bunch of times. She always says she'll call me back, but rarely does. I must say, I hope she'll be more available at week 37 than she is at week 27. If we ever do meet (before I go into labor that is), I'll definitely raise it as a real issue. Thinking about trying to look around for others, but really not interested in expending the effort again, I just want to meet with this one.

And in 2 weeks, I have an ultrasound to measure the baby! Whoo hoo! Everyone keeps mentioning how huge I am. Thanks, its really appreciated. Funny, I had a feeling that I was carrying 2/3 of my weight in the space between the ribs and my thighs, and another 1/4 in my ankles, but good to get a second opinion to verify it. Next time, how bout trying something like, wow, you look fantastic! Really, you are just blossoming, you look so beautiful. And that color really brings out your eyes. So far, only one friend other than Ben has said anything remotely like that. Honestly, it was refreshing. Most others say things like, wow, you are big for 26 weeks! Will you make it? You look very tired. Are you drinking enough? You'd better take it easy.

I had a dream the other night that we had the ultrasound, the baby was just massive, and also breech, and the dr said, oh boy this is going to be a tough delivery. It also being a VBAC, he offered to schedule a C-section and I scooped it up! We scheduled the birth for 2 weeks before my due date, right smack in the middle of Eden's August vacation, and I didn't have to worry about what I was going to do with her for the last week in August either. No, this was not a nightmare, I think it was almost a daydream.

I am NOT superstitious

Really, I'm not. I don't believe in the evil eye, bad luck - or good luck for that matter. I don't believe in red strings, blue glass eye beads, or any of the other Jewish-ish ideas that have developed. I think they're pagan.

I do believe in psychology, and the power of convincing yourself of something. Self-fulfilling prophecies, that sort of thing. Be optimistic, I say! At least you'll worry less.

But I think that even I draw the line at signing my unborn baby up for childcare for after I go back to work. Maybe we'll win the lottery and I won't go back to work (I know ... you can't win if you don't play...). But also, maybe, Gd forbid, the baby will need me home and I won't go back to work. Or .. something else. And I'm not superstitious, but it just doesn't seem right. Not fair that I should have to think about this.

I don't mind buying things for the baby. (Ben - we need to build that closet!) The room will be ready well before I go to the hospital, crib built and all. But childcare? I really don't want to think about it.

But, see I'm just nervous that we'll miss our chance. We live in a city that is a baby-making machine, and supposedly its not easy to find a good spot. And we have some limitations - namely that it needs to be within walking distance, preferably on the same street as Eden's gan. We're a one car family (by choice? I think?) and Ben taking the kids in the morning needs to not turn into an hour long walk around the neighborhood. And also, really it's got to be safe. Ie, no dangling curtain cords. No legos on the floor where she might eat them. Decent food... no chocolate for children under 1? Or gummy bears before she has any teeth? Ideally, some pureed vegies with breast milk or formula, maybe some rice cereal. Ok you get the point.

My friend sends her daughter to a place across the street from Eden's gan. She takes 4 babies only. And is normally priced. And is safe, warm and loving. Sounds good. She also has only one spot left....

Do I take it?! Do I actually sign my unborn baby up for a childcare starting December? Really not sure. I think I'll call her, but I don't like it. It's a bit icky.

Other friends (including Ben) say not to worry and we'll find something. Just walk up and down the street and we'll find someone. Or we'll just pay through the nose for a private nanny and spend the NEXT year dealing with all the baby's colds and separation anxiety. Not so much fun either.

Yech......I'd rather just sit here and feel the baby kick me more.

I love this shirt!

A cousin of ours took this picture of one of his students. I love it!


Especially speaks to me, since I'm so much younger than most of my co-workers (26 to their mid 30's-50's!). I often get self conscious about it. I'm willing to admit that I'm ageist, but hope that I won't be when kids half my age start to move quickly through the corporate ladder.

My diamond fell out

No, not the one on my finger. That one is secured with six gold prongs, so nervous was I when we got engaged. Rather, the one I had in my nose has gone missing.

When I got my nose pierced again last year, I didn't want any of the dinky nezemim (nose rings in hebrew) that they sell here on every street corner. I also didn't want the big clunky and annoyingly ugly ones that they sell at most piercing stores here. I wanted something tasteful and solid, and also not cheap. If I'm going to wear jewelry, it may as well be good.

So after doing some research, we ordered a few online from the US, including one with a cubic zirconia that was not like $3. It wasn't that expensive either, I mean it's teeny. But it had a gold setting, matches with everything, and was really comfortable. And I really really loved it.

And now one year later, I came home from work to find that the stone fell out. It could be anywhere, and its just not worth looking for it. I've looked in the stores around here, and there is nothing but the little dinky ones that keep falling out. Granted, I haven't yet been to the piercings stores in Tel Aviv or Jlem, so I may still find one I like there. But I think that its a little silly that they aren't sold or made as quality jewelry. I'm thinking about commisioning one. How 6th century would that be?

It seems to me that nose rings just haven't entered the realm of classic jewelry. The kind you buy at the nice regular jewelry shops. I wouldn't mind paying for a good piece, and it's annoying that I can't. Especially in this country where every fourth woman and her mother (ok that's not scientific...but there are a LOT) has her nose pierced. I feel like I run into just as many people - women and men! - with facial piercings as I do pregnant women. That ought to be reflected in the market also.

I think I'm on the lookout for a jewler who works with stones and gold.

I bought crocs

Oh! The shame. The lost glory! Oh how the mighty have been brought low.
(I'm currently reading Colleen McCullough's Antony and Cleopatra).
I went out tonight and did something I really didn't think I'd do, nor did I ever want to do. I bought crocs.
When I worked at home today, I didn't wear shoes all day. My feet and ankles felt allright until I sat at the desk for a couple of hours to get some serious work done - and after that, um, ok, I can't put sandals on anymore. I wore my flipflops to go get Eden, but really didn't like the idea of wearing them to work tomorrow.
So as soon as Eden was in bed, I went down to the mall to buy some crocs, seeing as they were the only shoes I could imagine feeling comfortable, providing support, and maybe looking decent? Two out of three aint bad.
Turns out, nobody sells crocs anymore. The only places I could buy them were toystores, which of course don't really have mirrors, so I bought them blind. I think that for a while, they were really in style, and so everyone was buying them, even though they looked horrible. Now, the style is a little old, so the only people who buy them are those who know exactly what they want - they have 3 pairs at home - or are people who are clearly not wearing them for looks. That's me in the last category.
It's not that I don't think they look great, I think they look terrible. I'm going to have to wear pants every day now, since they cover most of them. I actually bought black - how depressing is are black crocs?! - because I want to be able to wear them to work without standing out too much. And I like looking nice, and red or green just doesn't go with some of the nicer things in my work wardrobe. That's not to say I won't buy a pair of red or green in a month or so, just for variety. Seeing as I'll probably be wearing them for the next 3 months or so. Or rather, just not wearing anything else.

After all this, I must say that they are comfortable. After my sandals that I couldn't get into, these are a different species of shoe. I feel my hips sitting differently, perhaps the baby even sits differently with my feet feeling nicer. Maybe after a few weeks of wearing these, my feet will shrink back down to size and I'll be able to wear my regular shoes....

Just googled "black crocs pregnant" and found a bunch of other pregnant bloggers who did the same thing - black crocs to wear to work. Glad to know I've got company.

I'm Hooked

So, to follow up on my question from last post - is it worth it? I guess you all could tell me I told you so, but, I'm hooked. Despite a sprained ankle and many boutiques being closed by the time they got there (damn the sprained ankle!) we had a really good time. And it really does make a difference to go away.

Some cool things we saw:

• A cow running away from home down to the river, as we ate dinner (steak) across on the opposite bank. Can cows swim if they fall in?
• Lots of junk art galleries. What is it with artists who make things out of junk? Its a cool idea, but it gets a little tiring. I do like the wallhangings made of old plow equiptement though.
  
• The best humus and pita in the north. Ben had my salad, I couldn't get enough servings of hot fresh pita. The guy thought I wasn't so normal....
• Mt. Tabor. Wow, now that is a mountain. Very impressive.
• Lots of beautiful Arab cities. Call me sheltered (bigoted? I'm really not..), for some reason I thought Arab cities were run-down shanty towns. Maybe except for Abu Gosh. But some cities up there were really great. What an eye opener.
• Great place names. Mutzmutz! Lots of inspiration for our baby name, and lots of driving time to discuss it. No, its not Mutzmutz.
• A very not-cool thing we saw: Multiple parents (could they have been teachers!??) smoking on a school trip. Very uncool. Ben reminded me that 30 years ago, it would have been the middle schoolers smoking instead.
• Yummy jams and jellys for decent prices.
• The Kinnerret. Some day, when we make a million, I'm going to buy a beach house on the Kinnerret.
  

I can't believe how little I've been around this country. After spending 4 summers here, 2 years in seminary, and almost 8 years since then, I'd never been to Afula. Why would I ever need to go to Afula? But we got lost in Afula and I'm so glad that we did. I've seen a lot of mountains, trees, deserts. I want to see every more Afulas.

Now I'm torn with bringing Eden next time and just going ourselves again....I want to show all this to her also!

As could have been expected, Eden had a great time at her grandparents. They had a pizza slumber party with Sarah and Hila, I guess you can't beat that.

Completely separate note - recently, pairs of pigeons have been visiting me on my windowsills at work (perks of a corner cubicle). They look like they are so in love, and it really brightens my day. Their twitterpated! I love to watch them, and wish I could hear what they are saying. I sometimes think that I have a tendancy to get depressed in the spring....twitterpated birds do make it better somehow.