Passover Trip to the East Coast: March-April 2010

We just got back to Seattle after a long and eventful visit to New Jersey, Philadelphia and Steelton. We got to meet our new baby cousin, Noah, and do belly introductions between our baby-girl-to-be and Debra and Jason's baby-boy-to-be, and watch Avi and his cousin Daniel really play and interact together, which was a blast. Avi enjoyed digging for worms with Doda Shosh (video coming soon), getting balloon animals from Aunt Goldie, golfing with Saba, going for walks with Savta, watching the street sweeper with Pop-Pop, and playing in the sand with Nana. He also got to play in NYC with his friends Matan and Caleb, checking out the new playground in Union Square park, and to go to the "dinosaur museum" (a.k.a. Museum of Natural History) and ride on the "awesome" subway. Of course the highlight of the trip was the annual family Passover seder with an impressive 27 guests. Avi was too excited by all the guests arriving during the day to nap, so he ended up going to sleep just before the actual seder, and slept through his chance to sing the first of the four questions in front of the whole gang, but he did do it the next morning at Fried Matza Brunch time. He loved matza and cream cheese and ate it almost every day for breakfast, as well as the k-for-p Cheerios and Savta's matza ball soup. All in all, it was a wonderful time, despite the challenging airplane rides (Avi does not want to sleep on airplanes--ever!), and we're excited to see the grandparents and aunts again this summer when Baby Sister arrives.

It's a Girl!

Today we found out that our new baby, due in July, is going to be a girl! Avi is excited to be a big brother and is looking forward to his little sister, who he says is "going to be pink"!

Avi's Second Birthday

Avi is 2! His big birthday fell on erev Purim this year, so we decided to have a costume party after megillah reading last week, at our new favorite play place, Cafe O Play. Avi was Superman, Ema was the Cat in the Hat, and Abba was a puppy dog. We had so much fun playing, eating hamentashen and birthday cupcakes, and opening the amazing presents he got from friends and family. Thanks to everyone who helped make our weekend so special. And happy birthday to our little boy, who is no longer a baby!

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...