We welcomed in the Jewish new year, with friends and family. We went to dinner at Mark's cousin's mother's house, who also happens to be a volunteer at the Museum. I hadn't seen Anne since going on bed rest, so it was nice to see her and have her meet Lilly. Lilly was definitely on her best behavior. As we had been to post-natal yoga that morning, then we took a visit to the Museum in the afternoon, before getting ready for Rosh Hashannah dinner. So a lot of stimulation and quite frankly, being in the car seat, which doesn't look like its the most comfortable seat, especially when she falls asleep and let's her head droop at such an odd and painful looking angle. But she saw her Aunt Sarah, Safta Margot, cousins Robyn, Bobby, Emile and Marcel, and Glynn, amongst other friends. By 8pm (dinner began at 6) she was tired, hungry and ready for home. Our plan was to make it to services, but she wouldn't hear of it. So we did a divide and conquer. Mark went to services and I took the Lilly bit home. Her patience for being in the car seat was wearing thin, and she let that and her hunger be known. She cried from her seat, pretty much from Jefferson and Claiborne to our house, which is probably about 2 miles. I turned up the satellite radio, and listened as the PGA golf network prepared for the BMW Championship.
Once inside, I got her out of the carrier and then she ate. And was much much happier.
Thursday we took her to services. And they sound the shofar a bunch of times, and kid you not, the first time she heard it, her eyes opened so wide, she was startled, and didn't know what to make of it. I had her in the back, and when I saw this, I just laughed. Mark was still seated, so I couldn't wait for him to see, which he did, on our second trip out of the sanctuary. The pacifier was definitely her peace pipe. It quieted her during the service and when that ran out and her hunger peaked, we fed her in the back (travel formula bottles but don't forget to pack the nipple that comes with it, only took Mark and I opening two of the three 2 ounce bottles before we realized how it all came together). She spit up down Mark's suit jacket and onto the temple wood floor. I forgot the bib cloth, so I used a blanket - that I had two of! But unlike breastmilk and powdered formula, the travel one is brown in color as opposed to white. So the spit up is all the more gross and staining!
But we welcomed the New Year with her and are thankful for the blessing that she is. And we are thankful for all the friends and family we have. We took her to services this morning, and she did well too, until that damn hunger seemed to get the best of her. So she went out during the rabbi's sermon and ate. But once she gets the food, she's a happy camper. Aren't we all though? But in observance with September 11, the rabbi talked about the gray matter between black and white, and how it is not as easy to discern as we think. I reflected on how its been 9 years since the attacks, and remembered the fear and disbelief I felt that day, and days, months afterwards. Being across the river from the Pentagon and seeing the smoke, from the bottom of the office building was surreal. So I know we are both thankful for what we have in life, especially each other and now Lilly Rose. So in this new year we will try to stay mindful of each other and surrender to the goat. Lilly will not always stay so little, clutching to our necks when she sleeps or is startled. Or she will not always coo and give us the poop/gas smile. So we've got it now and much to look forward to. So here's hoping everyone has a sweet and happy new year.
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