Avi's Perfect Day

Today was a totally perfect day for Avi. We drove downtown this morning and left the car in WestLake, then took the new lightrail train. Avi was fascinated by the train ride itself, by the big construction site we passed along the way (complete with diggers, bulldozers, cherry pickers, cranes, and dump trucks, all of which he poined out), by the police men at the station who gave him a "junior sherrif" sticker he proudly displayed on his jacket, and by the voice of the "Mr. Conductor" at every stop. Then we got off, crossed the tracks, and went back in the opposite direction, when we decided to make a last minute stop in Chinatown. Our first stop in Chinatown was an aquarium/fish store, where Avi loved all the tropical fish, and then we heard fireworks, and raced down the block to catch the tail end of a Chinese New Year parade, complete with dancing dragons and explosives. Next we went out for lunch, where Avi got both "challah" (scallion rolls) and noodles (which he managed to eat with a single chop stick), then got back on the train one last time. Later in the afternoon, once he had a great 2 hour nap, Aunt Daya took him for a bus ride down to University Village, where he met up with Ema, who was grocery shopping there, and got to drive his green race car shopping cart before heading home for dinner and bed. We couldn't have asked for a better day!

February 2010

It's been a fun month for us in Seattle. We've been enjoying near-spring weather, lots of sunny days in the high 50s-low 60s, and fun outings to playgrounds in the neighborhood. Baby #2 is growing like crazy, and Ema already has a big belly. Luckily, she has only gained 7 pounds total in 18 weeks, but she looks like she's gained at least 14! She also just started feeling the baby kick this week, which makes it all feel very very real (as if the belly weren't enough). Meanwhile, Avi is nearing his 2nd birthday, and is excited for his cake and party. He's been very into the toilet, and has had some notable success with "pishy on the potty", though none of us are ready for full-on potty training yet. Avi's also been experimenting with throwing tremendous tantrums and deciding that he doesn't want to do anything but watch tv (though he is usually fine once we manage to leave the house). It's definitely been challenging, but we are hoping it's yet anoter phase that will pass quickly. Next up on the blog: Purim and Avi's second birthday party!

Sunday at Funtasia

Last week we went to Funtasia with some of Avi's friends and their parents. The Dads had as much fun as the kids, rolling around in the ball pit and then taking the boys go cart racing on an outdoor track. Although some of the boys (and most of the moms) found this a little scary, Avi only cried when the ride was over and he wanted another turn. He loved to "go so fast" with his Abba.

Avi Eats a Popsicle

When we bought too many tangerines, and they started to go soft, I pureed them and froze them in an ice cube tray. Enter "Popsicles." Here's a cute video of Avi enjoying one for desert tonight, then having a funny little conversation with his Abba. Ah, life with a toddler...

New Baby Wylen Coming in July!

Avi is very happy to announce that he is going to be a big brother in July! We are 13 weeks into this pregnancy, and luckily Ema is feeling really great, with the exception of having no extra energy at all to deal with her increasingly active toddler. That said, the lack of morning sickness or major aches and pains is a real treat, and it's sometimes very easy to forget that there is actually a baby in there kicking around (especially since I can't feel him or her yet). Our ultrasounds reveal a very energetic little person, who likes to use both hands at once, waving them overhead and wiggling with all its might. New Baby Wylen is due on July 21, 2010, and we're very excited to welcome him or her into our family this summer.

Chanukah Video

Chanukah 2009

It's been a while since we've updated the blog. Unfortunately, it's been a rough few months for us. In November, our beloved cat Bernard passed away after a sudden bout with kidney failure. His loss was very difficult for all of us, especially Ema, who had lived with Beno for seven happy years in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, New Jersey and Seattle. A week later, we had to start packing for our latest move. Soon after moving, we all got colds. Then we had to buy a new car. Finally, we are settling into our new home in Wedgwood, getting used to our new surroundings and enjoying being in a more Jewish neighborhood, within walking distance to shul. And this week Avi LOVED chanukah. He learned songs, got incredibly excited about lighting candles every night, and certainly appreciated getting lots of presents, including several big trucks, a xylophone, a moose from Sweden (thanks Aunt Ruth!), lots of Thomas trains and an amazing wooden Chanukah play set (thanks Savta and Saba). Most of all, Avi loved his visit with Doda Elisheva, who came to stay with us for a week, and Great Aunt Sheila, who came from Vancouver to see us, as well as having shabbat chanukah dinner with cousins Chuck, Connie, Simon and Mimi. Avi also loved eating Saba's latkes, made by Ema and Doda. All in all, it was a great holiday for us, and we can't wait for next year!