If you want to view pictures of the baby, Andy uploaded new ones on elsternet.com yesterday. I can hardly believe it's been two weeks since Chaya Rochel was born. The time is flying, and I'm not even sure what I've been doing for the last couple of weeks except coming to Rebecca's every morning between 8 and 9 AM, and leaving between 11:30 PM and 1 AM. Fortunately the apartment that we rented is just a two minute walk and it's safe to walk it late at night.
Chayala is adorable, sweet and cuddly. She is doing great with her job description of eating, sleeping and "making" in her diaper (littles and bigs.) Rebecca and I took her to the infant clinic today to get her weighed and checked out, and she went from 6 pounds 9 ounces at birth to 7 pounds 3 ounces. She sees the doctor in another 3 weeks, the day before I leave.
We've gotten into a bit of a daily schedule. I try to come over to Rebecca and Yerachmiel's apartment before or around the time he leaves to go study. Sometimes Rebecca and Chayala are sleeping in after being up much of the night, other times they're awake and we have some breakfast. After the morning feeding it's time for Chaya's bath and Rebecca can get herself ready for the day as well. We picked up a used stroller/car seat combo to use until Yerachmiel's parents bring a more permanent stroller, so for now we can be mobile and have a car seat for cab rides. We've gone out the last few days in the early afternoon to run errands and get out, and return by around 3 PM, which gives Rebecca a chance to get a nap while I start on dinner and look through emails, etc. Dinner is usually around 7:30 when Yerachmiel get's home and then I'm not sure what happens the rest of the evening, but eventually Rebecca does the last feeding before she goes to bed and if Chayala is still awake I'll stay a bit and drop her in her crib before I leave, otherwise I'll head to my apartment right away.
The first week and a half were quite tiring for Rebecca, she wasn't filled in on the recovery process after giving birth, then came down with a fever (probably due to a virus) that fortunately went away quickly. About a week ago she was so tired that she pumped some milk for Yerachmiel to give a feeding in the early morning so she could sleep in. They both enjoyed it and have been doing the same thing every night since.
I'm going to spend this Shabbat with my friend Nadine, leaving Rebecca and Yerachmiel to have some time alone with Chaya. I'm basically a constant presence around the house most of the day, but they are very thankful that I'm here. If I weren't they'd be even more tired, their friends would be bringing them meals, and Yerachmiel wouldn't be able to go to study his regular hours. Some of their friends whose parents couldn't come right when their babies were born are quite jealous.
As Rebecca has most of her strength back now we've been more and more on the move. Tonight we are going to try to go to one of her best friend's wedding shower, by far the most ambitious undertaking so far. Yerachmiel offered to watch Chayala but I think Rebecca wants to take her and have her join the girls. I spent a bit of time with the friend's mother when I was here for Rebecca's wedding and am looking forward to seeing her again as well. Soon we'll head to the interior ministry to get the birth certificate and Rebecca already made an appointment with the US consulate to get a US birth certificate and passport. Hopefully they'll be up for coming to visit California around January.
Hope all is well with all of you,
Love, Bobi Beth