On Asher’s 8th day of life we invited close friends and family over to attend his Bris, or Brit Milah if you prefer the hebrew. My parents flew in from Florida, Matthews sister Theresa drove down from Montreal and everyone else took of work for the morning to be there.
Leave it to the Jews to have to throw a party a week after giving birth but that’s what we do so that’s what we did. I’m not a very religious person but I do think that Jewish boys need to have a bris (not just be circumcised) and when your mom is Jewish, you are Jewish so there you go.
Traditionally this is done in the home by a mohel, we had ourselves a mohelet (a LADY mohel) and worked with her for a few weeks beforehand to put together the service. We incorporated some readings we liked and Matthew talked a bit about his grandparents for who Asher is named (Alice and Bill) and then we had wine and bagels. An odd but appropriate pairing.
disclaimer: I wrote this a few weeks ago but didn’t have time to deal with the pics and got it all ready to post this afternoon figuring I’d polish it off later in the week and post it. Moments ago Matthew’s sister Theresa blogged about the bris and totally beat me to it, AND did a better job of it. So go and read her post, its way better. But since mine was already written and resized and whatever I didn’t feel like deleting it. There you go.
This past Saturday Asher turned one month old. We can hardly believe it. I’m sure some people get sad thinking about how fast time is going but I for one cannot wait until he is out of this newborn stage. I think we will all be a little happier, him included. It must really suck to not be able to know how to close your eyes and go to sleep. I know it sucks for us. Some nights are great, some are not so great and everytime Matthew leaves I get struck with fear because he is much better at getting him to relax then I am when he’s being super fussy. I assume it has something to do with the fact that Matthew is patient, and I am not. As I write this Asher is in his swing, probably on the verge of waking any second, and Matthew is at a MOVIE. With a FRIEND.
So I guess we are doing ok.
Milestones and other novel things:
Asher…
smiles, laughs in a weird choke sounding way, can keep his head up for as long as he feels like it, eats like a champ, screams while he is in his car seat, adores having his diaper changed, baths, and general nudity. alternatively loves and hates his swing, glider, rocker, mom, dad, cosleeper, bed, soother, boobs, and life.
Me…
Had 15 people over for a bris, Went out alone for a pedicure and to get my eyebrows done. Purchased a proper fitting nursing undergarment and found out I went up 5 cup sizes from a D (Do the math). Had an insane amount of houseguests. Took the baby out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Took the baby to the city for a pizza party. Dragged the baby to the mall, baby store, fairway, target, chelsea market. Had 35 people over for a meet and greet. Saw Time Travelers Wife with Ramona. NURSED IN PUBLIC. Went to my moms group and potentially made a friend or 2. Went on many, many walks, most that included ice cream.
Thank you for coming over to clean my house today, even though we pay you and its not really a favor. I really really appreciate not having to mop or clean the toilet in my current condition.
But really, thank you for vacuuming the entire apartment when I put the baby down. Your perfectly timed white noise sealed the deal for a nap.
Same time next week? You bring the dyson, I’ll bring the baby.
Love
Bari
ps-UNDER THE BED??!! I wish we checked there for the 4 missing soothers. Thanks for finding them. You’re the best!
Asher has been a weird sleeper. Some nights he does great with just nursing and going back to sleep but we have had no luck putting him in the cosleeper so he’s been sleeping in either the car seat, rocker, brestfriend, or on one of us. Needless to say this is NOT WORKING FOR ME AT ALL WHATSOEVER. I mean come on, its been 2 weeks man – get with the program already.
2 nights ago he slept maybe one hour. All night. When he wasn’t eating he was crying. It was not cool. We figured it was gas since he was grunting and scrunching up his face and body but didn’t really know what to do for him. We were waiting until 8:30 when we could call the pediatrician and then about 7am he fell asleep for a few hours so we didn’t bother calling.
Instead we popped in the DVD of “The Happiest Baby on the Block.” I ordered it on a recommendation from mom’s group (yes, again!) but we never bothered watching it. Since Matthew was heading back to a 12 hr workday today we were a little frantic at the prospect of a)him, having to drive 2 hrs each way and work on no sleep or b)me, alone for 2 long ass days, having to take care of our bundle o’joy who wasn’t sleeping and getting crankier by the second.
Within 2 minutes they were describing our baby. It was amazing. Yes! Our baby grunts too! Our baby looks and sounds just like that! What do you mean its not gas??
HEEEELP UUUSSS!!
The principles are pretty simple. Fourth Trimester, bla bla bla, recreate the womb, bla bla bla we’ve heard it a million times but it took actually seeing the steps in action that made the lightbulb go of over our tired little brains.
We swaddled him up immediately and started to do what they recommend. And WOW. He was out. I mean out. He slept most of the day and better yet he slept for hours last night. Big huge stretches of 3+ hrs, nurse for 30 or so minutes, 10 minutes to get him down then repeat and repeat again. It was a miracle.
I made it through today just fine thanks to Ramona who came over in the afternoon to keep me company and offer moral support. Luckily she is an expert swaddler. Oh and also Dr. Karp.
These are the only swaddle/receiving blankets we use. They are super soft, huge and lightweight. Every other blanket I have is crap. There is most likely one in every single photo of Asher.
This thing is kind of ridiculous but such a great concept. I saw a review for it and for $25 bucks we bought it a few days before he was born. It was the best thing ever to have from day one, especially in the hospital. Its super simple. When you feed him, hit a button. When you change him hit a button. There is even a misc button we’ve been using to track my meds so I know when to take it. It makes everything completely mindless. Also has an alarm and flashlight.
OMG the name. I put off buying one forever because I just wasn’t sure until I went to a mom’s group a week after my due date and people raved about it. Its firm and he falls asleep on it all the time. Its just much better than the stupid boppy. Do not buy a boppy, get this brest friend thing even though they can’t spell.
