Friday, April 20, 2012
27w3d With My Kids!
Another beautiful morning in Vermont. Here's my 27 week bump photo. This time with my wonderful daughter, Natalya. :)
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Saturday Night Live Clip (Royal Deluxe II)
And now for something silly regarding circumcision... An oldie but goodie...
http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi3907977241/
http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi3907977241/
To Bris or Not to Bris... a Follow-up
My feelings of being torn or more from my personal crossroads with my religion and the Jewish community where we currently live. I identify being Jewish. Born and Raised. But up here in Vermont, the community hasn't been as warm and welcoming as I remember from being a child. That said, my daughter has been in a Jewish preschool for the last 3 years and will continue with her Jewish education. She also has a Jewish/Hebrew name and had a naming ceremony when she was born.
Boys can have this too, but it has to be done a certain way for their ability to participate later on in life. Meaning I could do a hospital circumcision and naming ceremony later and if we all stayed in the reform denomination (where we currently are) that's enough.
If we go back to conservative... (which is what I grew up in) then we'd have to do a bris instead, which says the circumcision needs to be done on the 8th day of life, and the ceremony/prayers need to be said at the same time. The act of the circumcision is done the same, just the date and location is different.
And for us, the circumcision will only be done by a licensed/insured surgeon, NOT some random "mohel" who's had zero medical training (as in the article before mentioned).
DH is agnostic, and I'm Jewish and we've begun to raise our DD Jewish. So it makes sense that we would continue with our son. I think the options presented to us give me some peace of mind, and now I just need to find my spiritual connection and choose which will be best for all.
I think it's time to call my dad for a discussion.
The reason for being hesitant is more personal. I was working for the Jewish Community when we moved here, and was let go for stupid politics. I felt hurt, tossed out, knife in my back. But I was still Jewish, and being let go from a job shouldn't/didn't change that. My personal feelings for that specific (1) organization felt betrayed and as such I disconnected with them and immersed myself in another Jewish Organization. After my lay-off DH began to work at the "other" Jewish Organization. The same one that laid him off (again, politics) this past November.
We still are "affiliated" with them, but it's awkward. We remain friends with the Rabbi, and have been to some functions since the layoff. But emotionally it's hard to go back to a place that kicked you out. But they kicked out us "the employee" not the Jewish family. Even still it's been awkward.
So what to do... To do the bris the right way, it needs to happen by the 8th day. I know I will not be over my personal issues with this community by then, but know that when the time comes to be "over it" it'll be too late for my son, and I couldn't do that to him.
Also... this is only an issue here locally. I don't see this as a concern in a different community. And again, don't want to make it more difficult for my son down the road.
Therefore I do need to get him circumcised (never a question on having that done) once he's here and now just need to figure out if in the hospital or full traditional bris on his 8th day.
I know trying to understand another religion is a challenge and some times can be quite confusing. Here I am, Jewish 39 years and I still get confused.
Boys can have this too, but it has to be done a certain way for their ability to participate later on in life. Meaning I could do a hospital circumcision and naming ceremony later and if we all stayed in the reform denomination (where we currently are) that's enough.
If we go back to conservative... (which is what I grew up in) then we'd have to do a bris instead, which says the circumcision needs to be done on the 8th day of life, and the ceremony/prayers need to be said at the same time. The act of the circumcision is done the same, just the date and location is different.
And for us, the circumcision will only be done by a licensed/insured surgeon, NOT some random "mohel" who's had zero medical training (as in the article before mentioned).
DH is agnostic, and I'm Jewish and we've begun to raise our DD Jewish. So it makes sense that we would continue with our son. I think the options presented to us give me some peace of mind, and now I just need to find my spiritual connection and choose which will be best for all.
I think it's time to call my dad for a discussion.
The reason for being hesitant is more personal. I was working for the Jewish Community when we moved here, and was let go for stupid politics. I felt hurt, tossed out, knife in my back. But I was still Jewish, and being let go from a job shouldn't/didn't change that. My personal feelings for that specific (1) organization felt betrayed and as such I disconnected with them and immersed myself in another Jewish Organization. After my lay-off DH began to work at the "other" Jewish Organization. The same one that laid him off (again, politics) this past November.
We still are "affiliated" with them, but it's awkward. We remain friends with the Rabbi, and have been to some functions since the layoff. But emotionally it's hard to go back to a place that kicked you out. But they kicked out us "the employee" not the Jewish family. Even still it's been awkward.
So what to do... To do the bris the right way, it needs to happen by the 8th day. I know I will not be over my personal issues with this community by then, but know that when the time comes to be "over it" it'll be too late for my son, and I couldn't do that to him.
Also... this is only an issue here locally. I don't see this as a concern in a different community. And again, don't want to make it more difficult for my son down the road.
Therefore I do need to get him circumcised (never a question on having that done) once he's here and now just need to figure out if in the hospital or full traditional bris on his 8th day.
I know trying to understand another religion is a challenge and some times can be quite confusing. Here I am, Jewish 39 years and I still get confused.
Just another day in Pregnancy
waiting to see if my phone's going to ring today to let me know I failed my 1 hr GTT. Hoping it stays silent. ;)
Also, woke up with horrible abdominal cramps. felt awful. Curled up around my heating pad, and nearly called in sick.
Turns out... (TMI) :oops: it was just a case of "Big Poopy". I'm so embarrassed and poor DH, thought it was him again. (he wanted and tried to initiate DTD this morning)
Going to speak to my Rabbi today about a bris that I don't really want. Ugh. Kind of dreading it. Hoping he can make me feel better about all of this religion stuff. I want to give my son a Hebrew Name. I also want to have him circumcised (but in the hospital, not elsewhere) and that is the basis of the discussion today.
Also, woke up with horrible abdominal cramps. felt awful. Curled up around my heating pad, and nearly called in sick.
Turns out... (TMI) :oops: it was just a case of "Big Poopy". I'm so embarrassed and poor DH, thought it was him again. (he wanted and tried to initiate DTD this morning)
Going to speak to my Rabbi today about a bris that I don't really want. Ugh. Kind of dreading it. Hoping he can make me feel better about all of this religion stuff. I want to give my son a Hebrew Name. I also want to have him circumcised (but in the hospital, not elsewhere) and that is the basis of the discussion today.
To Bris or Not to Bris
We think it's important for our son to have a Hebrew Name, as Natalya has one and to be fair he should too. But we can not do a Bris, or rather question whether we should do one. Honestly, we just can't afford it. Not just the cost of the bris, but the "oneg"/party meals and invited guests and big "to do". I'm the only one working, Craig is still looking, but nothing has turned up. We only have my income to rely on and when I have this baby in July I go onto unpaid maternity leave.
We're out of money come June if Craig hasn't picked up something by then.
I'm in a pickle. I need to see what can be done to help officially name my son.
We are planning to have our son circumcised at the hospital before we go home. Doing it this way, his procedure will be covered by our health insurance. I'd like to see if it'd be possible to do a private or small baby naming ceremony, or at least just get a name certificate for our boy. When we named Natalya, we did a very small private "ceremony" at our home with a few family friends and family who were in town for her birth. I was hoping to do something similar for our son. And if it couldn't be done in my home, maybe we could go to your office and do it there???
I'm not sure what to do. I'm honestly torn. I was so strong in my faith in the Jewish Community here in Burlington, but after what happened to me at OZ and now what has happened to Craig at TS, it's hard to be supportive as we both feel that we were tossed out and no longer welcome; at either synagogue. But, I also need to do what's right for my child, both children. Obviously prioritizing our family needs come first... food, clothes, shelter...
Being in this pickle, so to speak, is very difficult. It hurts my pride and my sense of obligation.
We're out of money come June if Craig hasn't picked up something by then.
I'm in a pickle. I need to see what can be done to help officially name my son.
We are planning to have our son circumcised at the hospital before we go home. Doing it this way, his procedure will be covered by our health insurance. I'd like to see if it'd be possible to do a private or small baby naming ceremony, or at least just get a name certificate for our boy. When we named Natalya, we did a very small private "ceremony" at our home with a few family friends and family who were in town for her birth. I was hoping to do something similar for our son. And if it couldn't be done in my home, maybe we could go to your office and do it there???
I'm not sure what to do. I'm honestly torn. I was so strong in my faith in the Jewish Community here in Burlington, but after what happened to me at OZ and now what has happened to Craig at TS, it's hard to be supportive as we both feel that we were tossed out and no longer welcome; at either synagogue. But, I also need to do what's right for my child, both children. Obviously prioritizing our family needs come first... food, clothes, shelter...
Being in this pickle, so to speak, is very difficult. It hurts my pride and my sense of obligation.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
My Body This Coming Week
My Body This Coming Week
You are entering your third trimester now.
Most women have gained between 17 and 24 lbs (7.7 to 10.8 kg) by this time.
Your breasts may start to leak colostrum, the sticky, watery substance which comes before milk. This will be your baby's first food before your milk comes in a day or two after delivery.
You will probably visit your caregiver every two weeks from this point on. Your caregiver may perform a glucose tolerance test this week. If your early blood work revealed that you are Rh negative, your doctor may want to do an antibody test to determine if you have made antibodies to your baby's blood type to see if there is a risk of you having an immune reaction to your baby's blood. If this situation applies to you, ask your doctor for more information.
If you haven't already, you may begin to have vivid dreams about your baby. Braxton Hicks contractions will probably continue preparing your uterus for childbirth.
You may have red stretch marks on your belly and the veins on your breasts will likely have become more prominent.
My Baby This Coming Week
Your baby weighs about 2.5 lbs (1.1kg) and is about 10 inches (25cm) from crown to rump and 15.75 inches (35 cm) long from head to toe.
At this time, the baby has tastebuds which allow it to distinguish between sweet, sour and bitter tastes.
Brain tissue and brain development increases at this time as your baby grows the folds and grooves needed for a developed brain.
Eyebrows and eyelashes are probably present and the hair on your baby's head is growing longer.
Your baby's body is filling out, getting a bit fatter as fat deposition continues, but it is still somewhat red and wrinkled.
Your baby is big enough for his presentation to be determined. That is, your caregiver can probably tell how your baby is oriented in your uterus. He may be breech (bottom down) or head first. If your baby is in a breech position now, there is no need to worry as there is still plenty of room and time for your baby to change positions.
Your baby can feel pain and respond to it in the same way as a full term baby.
You are entering your third trimester now.
Most women have gained between 17 and 24 lbs (7.7 to 10.8 kg) by this time.
Your breasts may start to leak colostrum, the sticky, watery substance which comes before milk. This will be your baby's first food before your milk comes in a day or two after delivery.
You will probably visit your caregiver every two weeks from this point on. Your caregiver may perform a glucose tolerance test this week. If your early blood work revealed that you are Rh negative, your doctor may want to do an antibody test to determine if you have made antibodies to your baby's blood type to see if there is a risk of you having an immune reaction to your baby's blood. If this situation applies to you, ask your doctor for more information.
If you haven't already, you may begin to have vivid dreams about your baby. Braxton Hicks contractions will probably continue preparing your uterus for childbirth.
You may have red stretch marks on your belly and the veins on your breasts will likely have become more prominent.
My Baby This Coming Week
Your baby weighs about 2.5 lbs (1.1kg) and is about 10 inches (25cm) from crown to rump and 15.75 inches (35 cm) long from head to toe.
At this time, the baby has tastebuds which allow it to distinguish between sweet, sour and bitter tastes.
Brain tissue and brain development increases at this time as your baby grows the folds and grooves needed for a developed brain.
Eyebrows and eyelashes are probably present and the hair on your baby's head is growing longer.
Your baby's body is filling out, getting a bit fatter as fat deposition continues, but it is still somewhat red and wrinkled.
Your baby is big enough for his presentation to be determined. That is, your caregiver can probably tell how your baby is oriented in your uterus. He may be breech (bottom down) or head first. If your baby is in a breech position now, there is no need to worry as there is still plenty of room and time for your baby to change positions.
Your baby can feel pain and respond to it in the same way as a full term baby.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Boo Hoo!
I cry at everything. Yes even the Life Alert commercial. That poor lady; she fell and couldn't get up!! o-O
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