Potty Training?

We have been trying for a while now to get ms. fasu used to the potty. We have moved to Pull Ups (a total rip off if you ask me), but up until lately, nothing really seemed to work. The Pull Ups basically were used as pricey diapers.
Then a light bolb went on in my head. I don't know how or why I thought of it, but I came up with a peepee prize that actually seemed to work. And don't think i haven't tried before. We tried bribes and "no more tv" punishments, nothing seemed to work.
But cookies did.
Fasu is now wearing panties at home. She pees in the potty and gets a cookie of her choice. We always say it just for ms. fasu "and not for ms. fasu2" to make her feel special and like a big girl.
Poop is still a struggle but i decided not to push it at this time. I am enjoying my pp triumph.
May it last.




This is a picture we took in the first weekend of Nov. when ms. fasu went with dad to see "Beauty and the Beast" at the local theatre. She is still talking about it to this day.

The actresses: The ladies like to dress up in their fancy dresses and perform on the cedar chest in our dining room. The most recent hits include dolly parton's islands in the stream and puff the magic dragon. Mulan's make a man out of you also makes them start dancing. I really need to post some dancing movies.

Knitting

With the fall already here in full force (most of the days), Safti has been knitting like crazy. Here are some of her creations:

Fasu2 modeling a gorgeous sweather-vest made by safti. Notice how nice it sits on our little girl.

And some more examples of Safti's talent: Matching sweater vest and leggings. Cute ha?

Don't you just want to kiss these cheecks? This kid is so cute. And she talks too. Just hearing her say "mommy" with her mousey voice makes my heart melt. They call her "love" at school because she's so sweet.

Girls Update

Our Family:

These are some professional picturs we took couple of months ago for dad's job.
I absolutely love them!

So, now to the interesting part. The kiddos. Otherwise knows, as ms. fasu and fasu2. What can I say? They are so terrific! Ms. Fasu is nearly three now. She'll be three in January. Fasu2 is 15 months. I can't believe they are growing up like this on me. But i have to admit i like it. I really enjoy having a child that I can communicate with. Babies are great and all, but I think i am more of a toddler mom. At least I am these days. I am sure I was relishing on Fasus' baby days. But of couse, I didn't write on the blog, so there's no proof. My memory faded me on that one.

So let's start with Ms. Fasu. She is a very sweet little girl. She is still an avid TV watcher. An addict i would say. She is really into Disney these days. It's nice because it's not that of a pain to sit and watch TV with her anymore. She also loves shoes. We buy a lot of shoes at yard sales and she loves putting them on. Especially one red pair that looks like Dorothy's from the Wizard of Oz. Ms. Fasu is a great talker. She can speak pretty much both in English and in Hebrew. She is really smart when it comes to vocabulary. She knows to names her colors, numbers, letters and even feelings.

She is also very stubborn but we're having a good handle on it I think. She sometimes sits in time out if she pushes, which is not often. Most of the time she's really well behaved. She makes me very proud to be her mom.

Ms. Fasu has the sweetest smile. Oh, and of course, she still has Zaza and she still sucks her thumb. Some things never change.

i'm back (i think)

It's been a very very long time since I last wrote. Almost too long to start again. But it's night time, and dad and Ima are watching Stargate, and I have no interesting web sites to parooze right now. So I'm back. At least for tonight.

Writing a blog is a big commitment. At least to me. I don't know why, but I find it difficult to keep up with the posting. The thing is I really enjoy seeing all the things I wrote, and I really enjoy reading other people's blogs. Especially my friends'.

So much has happened since my last entry. Too much to summarize here.

But here are the highlights:

1. We sold our house in Little Rock. Thank God.
2. We moved to PA.
3. I got a job doing the five o'clock newscast for the local TV station.
4. I found out, to my shock, that i was pregnant again!
5. I decided to keep the baby, and quite my job.

This kind of puts us where we are right now. Living in Allentown, PA. Me with my horrible all day all night morning sickness (with barfing). Dad really likes his job. He's a real doctor now and really likes not being a resident anymore. Who could blame him? It's nice not to be a slave for a change. I hate not working. I feel like a big fat loser with morning sickness.
So things now are kinda of iffy. Not really bad, but not too good either. My mom lives with us, at least for a few more months. It's a life-saver. I am not really functioning part of the time but the girls don't really feel it because of her.

Birthday girl picture

Here is my little girl speeping peacefully. Is that a sight or what? no matter how cute and wonderful she is, i have to admit i love when she goes to bed happily.
This little Ernie puppet she has in her bed was a hannukah gift. She was really scared of it at first but now she won't go to bed without it. She recently has been trying to put her hand inside it....she also has a cookie monster and elmo puppets....

Happy Birthday

I can't believe my little girl has just turned two years old. And so much has changed in two years. From a helpless infant my daughter has become her own person. She has opinions, likes and dislikes (a lot of both). She has a great little personality and a compassinate heart. I haven't been writing much in the last few months...to say the least, so there's so much to tell about my ms. fasu. She can do so much on her own. She can recite and sing her abc's, count until 20, speak in both Hebrew and English, Laugh at jokes (especially when someone farts), draw (still not so good though) and so much more.

Since her sister fasu two was born, ms. fasu has really grown up. She is pretty good about sharing her attention and she knows when mama has to feed the baby. She is very possesive and protective of her sister and loves to pet her and give her kisses. She also finds her annoying sometimes when she tried to take a way a toy and when ms. fasu wants mommy all to herself.

Overall ms. fasu is proving to be a very good two year old. She has tantrums and cries often. And gets pissed ofen. But she is never violent. If she is really upset she will hit a wall or recently, throw herself on the floor. She is extremely vocal and although i don't always understand what she says, i know it's not just giberish....

It's really cute how she mixes her Hebrew and her English. She'll say a complete sentence half in one launguage and the other half in another. She also knows some words in both languages so she'll say "more" to aba and "odd" to me.

Me and her dad really adore her. there is nothing better than coming home to her smiling face.

i finally got it.

I finally figured out how to upload family movies onto Youtube. I really want to write less and show more so hopefully this would do the trick. Since this is my first day at doing this, i don't think it will be very good. but at least i will put on some links so you can check the videos out. have fun.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iF3doZD8qpc

this one is pretty old. It's from May of 2006 when safta came to visit us. baby fasu was only four months old. This was the time we introduced zaza and things were never same again...za za was never that pink again.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=xM4nCmhxzlE

this is a video we took at our local park. fasu and dad were playing so nicely. i was left to hang out with fasu2. taken on october second.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=sX1udBnR05Y

this one was taken in october also, i believe. it shows the fasu playing with her favorite sesame street figures. she really has taken off with her imaginary games which is quite amazing to watch.

It's Fall

Finally after what seemed to be a long summer, it's finally fall in the natural state.
Here are some pictures of our little family.

This this a picture of ms. fasu next to her favorite thing in the world. Her TV. We are trying to limit the sesame street watching to one a day. but sometimes, i have to admit, it's a lot more than once a day. the kid and her four months old sister are hooked.
Well, at least it's classified as an educational show. After all, it airs on PBS.

Here are some pictures of our neighborhood park. One of them at least and by far my favorite. For as long as we've been living here, we've done little hikes to this great little woody park. Recently, i put the fasu's in the double stroller until we reach the top of the park and then i let the fasu one and the puppies go and they run together all the way to the bottom, which is where the playground is located.

This Saturday, faus took her "babies" (that what she calls her dall stroller) to the park. She really love that little thingi....

Me and my sis. it is such joy to see fasu 1 and fasu 2 together. They really get along far better than I had hoped for this stage in life. Fasu 2 thinks her big sister is the coolest and just keeps a big grin when she sees her. Fasu 1 is very protective of her baby sister and pushes all the kids away from her car seat when i come to pick her up from school. I am so happy i have two little girls....

I like to read.

Jewish Food Festival

These were taken at the annual Jewish Food Festival in town. The event took place two weeks ago and weather was gorgeous. And as a Jewish family, you can imagine we really had a good time. Fasu 1 ate a lot. Fasu 2 smiled a lot. Dad did both.

Mamma Liv, this is for you!!!!

Finally, some updates on this....blog....
I really didn't do anything on the blog front for months and month...but heck, i'm a busy lady...Since my last entry in June, let's see:
1. I had a baby. Ms. Fasu2
2. Had a GREAT visit with my mom from Israel. Thank you soooo much for coming here and saving everyone's butt. because of you, the post delivery period was really fine.
3. I took a three month maternity leave, which was wonderful.
4. Our enlarged family visited dad's family in Pennsylvania
5. I pumped an obsene amount of breast milk that could feed a small continent.
6. I got back to work.
7. I got a pseudo promotion and now i am producing two morning shows.
8. I havne't had a chance to lose all my baby weight....

Countdown to Grandma

In about two days my mom is coming for a long visit from Israel. I am so excited. I haven't seen her in over a year, and more importantly, the Fasu hasn't seen her in over a year. I often feel so guilty about the fact that we don't have any family where we live. It's just us two for the Fasu and although we have lots of good friends who love her, i wish we had the grandparents living close by.
Anyway, safta (gradma in Hebrew) is coming Wednesday and the Fasu and I, God willing, will pick her up at the airport. I bet safta will be at awe of what has become of her first and only granddaughter.

The Fasu is now a walking professional, or should I say, a professional walker. It's amazing how only a few weeks ago I was in agony not knowing if she'll ever walk or whether we need to involve a doctor in her development, and now she is all over the place, and on two feet.

Words are also getting used more. Pappu, za za, aba, ima, and water (mayim) are still the favorite. But the Fasu now also says fruit, socks and makes lots of animal sounds. Most of her words are in Hebrew. She is also trying to count and the teachers at her school tell me she can say "a" "b" and "c".

Oh, we also found out she has a new tooth. I think that would explain some of the recent whining. It's not too bad but it's definately there. The whining that is. I think she is cracking another one....That would make it a total of 10 teath....teathing sucks.

When it comes to food, the fasu continues to be pretty picky. Most meals are now about three minutes afterwhich she shows me the signal for "all done" and tries to pull off her bib. I worry sometimes that she doesn't eat enough but they tell me at school she eats pretty good and I can't see her ribs so I guess we're ok.

Other than that, she is still a delight to be around. She loves to build with her cups and play with her dogs. I can eat her little cheacks. Tfu tfu tfu, but that kid is adorable...

More Pictures

This pictures was taken during one of our friends' surprise birthday party. That's her beautiful daughter with Fasu. They both enjoy Sesame Street very much. By the way, this is Fasu's relatively new chair. We've had it for a month by now so it's not really new, but it's the first time I put it in the blog. Dad got two of them at a local church sale and the Fasu just loves sitting in it with her za za and thumb in mouth and watch TV.

At the same sale, dad got this baby backpack. I can't use it as of yet because of size issues (mine, not the Fasu's) but my little girl just loved being in it. Dad took her to the grocery store in it and the Fasu was on top of the world. I was surprised because I thought my little timid one would not want to get on it. But she just loved being up high in the backup. Way to go dad, it was a bargain too.

The Fasu is really getting good at walking. And it's true what they say about Robeez. They are really good for new walkers. The Fasu has no problems practicing her new steps with these shoes, even while holding za za. She usually trips on the old friend at some point though, but I can't blame the shoes for that.

This is the Fasu and her friend Peanut during our friend's b-day party. The two were very curious about the dogs, which we kept outside because of their (sometimes) crazy nature. I thought it was a cute picture of the two even though it's a little blurry. They were born two days apart (Peanut was first) and hopefully one day they'll be really good friends.

Check out the outfit.

Another walking pictrues. I just can't get enough of her making those steps. I have been waiting for them so long and I feel so thankful that she can now walk. Yesterday we were even able to go outside and she walked on the grass. By the way, I thought her how to shake her hands after she falls and hits the grounds and they get dirty. To the Fasu's credit I have to say she falls alot but then gets right up, shakes her hands, and keeps on going. I love that kid!

The Walking Sweetie

I haven't written in a LONG time and all I can say is there's just too much to do and too little time in the day to do it. The last time I wrote was when the Fasu first started walking. Well, it was the first steps...Since then, we had a period of no steps, and now she is really really walking. It is so amazing to watch. She just love being on her two little legs and walk around and chat. She is getting better at it too. She can walk basically on any surface and even walk while walking or grabbing her blanket (now we call it za-za). She is so sweet....and a good baby too.

They tell me at school we are so lucky to have such good natured baby. They say she is always friendly and smily and just fun to be around. Yay!
At home things are not always so friendly. I think we are approaching the rebelious stage. The fasu, a few times already, has thrown herself on the floor and screamed in frustration. I know I am not supposed to, but it makes me laugh. One time I wouldn't give her za za and she literlly through herself on hard, muddy concrete pavement. She only got za za back after taking a bath.

Words are becoming more and more common. The fasu knows how to say "water" in Hebrew, "Leo" (our male dog), "snack" (also in Hebrew), and "story." There are other words too but I can't think of them right now.

The nights, tfu tfu tfu, have been good lately. May it last forever, Amen! She pretty much puts herself to bed and we usually don't hear from her until it's time to wake up in the morning. Most of the time she would wake up with a smile, but sometime she is really grumpy, which makes me think she is not really a morning person. Dad and I actually are, so it works out ok....

First Steps 4/24/07

Today was a very special, long awaited day in our little family. While dad and I and the fasu were playing in the living room, our little girl took her first steps. It was one of the most exciting moments of our lives. She just took off and took about ten steps without stopping. We were so amazed. The next set of steps, that were not as many but still totally wonderful, were captured on video. And since these first few steps, the fasu has been practicing walking all afternoon. Of course she is not completely walking yet but she is making those first steps we were so so so longing for. Way to go Fasu!

Happy Passover

Passover is not really one of my favorite favorite holidays. I used to always try to sneak out of the seder and I don't really appreicate the fact that you are not supposed to eat bread. But this year, things were different. We went to dad's semi-relatives, Bruce and Lynn and they had a really cool, modern and a whole lot more interesting haggadah. I actually did not mind doing the after dinner part of the seder.

As the pictures convey, the fasu was entertained by her Sesame Street books and her father. I was too exhausted to play with her. Ah, the joys of pregnancy.

Dad was really cool and played with her and walked her around the house and the Fasu had a good time. Things got particulary good when the food came out and they had lots of meat. My baby loves meat, did I mention that before?

This is one of our only family pictures. We really don't take many pictures with all of us in them. But this passover our friend Jennifer took some family photos, which I really like. I am not wearing make up and dad has his eyes shut, but you can really see our beautiful baby with her blanket and thumb in mouth. As the pictures clearly shows, she was VERY tired by that point in the day.

Good Nights

Again I have been bad about updating my blog. I can provide tons of execuses but I won't.
To summerize the past few weeks:

1. The Fasu STILL not walking. BUT, she is standing longer now. One time she had enough time to stand and clap. She loves clapping. I love clapping with her. She still also "drives" her walker toy everywhere and cruises on furniture. In fact, I would say she is as much up right as crawling just not walking independently. Also, she can walk if one of us is holding her little hand. I love walking with my little girl.

2. We had a good passover. Dad and the fasu tried to keep it to matzas only but at least the fasu was without great success....The fasu was really good at the Seder and really enjoyed the meat. She is her dad's daughter for sure.

3. We have been enjoying pain free, cry free nights these past two weeks and it's so much fun. You put the Fasu in bed around nine and around 5:30 I give her her morning bottle and then she goes back to sleep until it's time to wake up. On the weekends it's especially great, because she doesn't wake up until 8 am so mommy gets some mommy time.
This brings me to the conclusion that when she does wake up at night, it's not because she is just fussy but because something is wrong. Whether it's pain somewhere or a bad dream. But my baby is not crying for no reason and she does not cry herself to sleep....

More Pictures

Bath time. Lately the fasu has not been enjoying her baths as she used to. She gets really mad when water gets in her eyes and as the picture shows, she constantly trying to get out of the tub. Smart mom, however, found a trick to get the water out of the eyes by saying "where's the light?" This makes the fasu throw her head back in search of the light and then I wash her hair.

What will we do if we ever lose this blanket? Dad and I dread the day that one day it will fall and will be nowhere to be found. The Fasu is so attached to her blanket. By far it's her favorite thing in the world, even more then Elmo. Lately we've been having a few tough nights which didn't allow me the time to wash the blanket. Was it nasty....Thank God, we are on a streak of good sleeping days these days (tfu tfu tfu), and I was able to wash it yesterday. It was getting to be embarassing.

I love our neighborhood. The Fasu and I go for our daily walks and it's so much fun. Since she is still not walking we can't really play at the playground at Allsup Park but walking through the woods there is so gorgeous.....Not to mention how proud I am walking with my baby. She waves and smiles at total strangers and makes them feel happy. My sweet little angle baby.

Toys.

The current favorite and hopefully the toy that would do the trick. The push toy. The fasu walks around the house with it. Sometimes really fast. She is really good at manouvering it and getting it through inclines and narrow spaces.

Wye Mountain

Walk the Line

My Fasu is still not walking. And I am getting worried. I know babies take their own time but I feel like she is ready but is also afraid of taking those first few steps. The reason I think she is ready is because she is always "walking" with her push toy and once i saw her stand on her own for two seconds. Not much, but still I was very excited. In addition to all that, I am really ready for her to walk. The Fasu now weighs about 23 pounds and is heavy. And with me getting bigger by the minute, it's harder and harder to hold her. And as much as I enjoy holding my baby girl, and I really do, it would be nice when we can simply hold hands and walk along. Plus, it is kinda difficult going to the park when your child doesn't walk and if fact thinks that eating sand off the ground (which is awfully close when you crawl) is a real treat.

Anyway, I am praying walking will come soon. Preferrably today.

St. Patrick's Day Parade