Stood up by himself!! Eight Months Old

Zusha is getting big and doing so many exciting and special things! A couple of weeks after he turned 8 months, he learned to pull up on the crib railing. The first time he did it, he stood there and laughed and laughed.

Zushala also loves his cow, Moorka. Whenever I made Moorka dance for Zusha, he'd copy her moves. Whenever he is separated from her (for a few hours) he gets super excited when he sees her again. He grabs her, hugs, squeals, and pokes her eyes out.

Whenever Zusha hears music, he has to dance. Even when my cell phone rings! He hops on his bottom and wiggles.Zusha with his Mama and Aunt Masha at Prospect Park.

Seven Months Old

Here is all that is new this month:
Zusha can stand on all fours and rock back and forth. He can also "crawl" backwards. I gave him a few 'piecey' foods to try out- tiny pieces of banana and some Cheerios. Another cute thing is shaking his head, "No."

And dancing! At the end of this month, Zusha danced to music for the first time. He hopped on his bottom and shook his head.

First Foods- Six months old

Zushkitz had his first taste of yummy, yummy apples at 6 1/2 months old. That was followed by oatmeal and then bananas.
First Chanuka! He was so enthralled by the menora and had a grand time banging the dreidel on his high chair. Some other accomplishments- sits well if placed in that position and looks for whatever object he hurled from the high chair tray.

Five Months Old

A week after he turned 5 months, Zusha got 2 more teeth! And a couple of days later, he learned how to roll over onto his back and onto his stomach.

He also started size 4 diapers and learned to stand in his crib or playpen, holding on to the side, if placed in that position.

Tashlich- Four months old

Now Zushala is 4 months old already! Here he is with Tatte, all bundled up and warm, at the bay for tashlich.
Since he has discovered many uses for his teeth, he is very fascinated by them. He likes to check inside other people's mouth. He sticks his tiny hand into every mouth he can reach, so he can count the teeth.

At this point, I gave up on pacifiers. Being the prince of the family, Zusha refused to settle for one of those things. He demanded his Mama to be at his beck and call every second, instead.

First teeth!! Three months old

Zushik got his first tooth a week before he turned 4 months. He liked to try them out on his Mama and to watch her scream.
He also began to push his head up from a reclining position to semi-sitting, if bribed with a toy!
On a not such happy note, he also got sick for the first time.

You're my beautiful baby Zusil,
My baby's not a busil.
He likes to sing the song
And he likes to beat the slon
And he likes to eat the slon...

Trip to the country- Two months old

Here he met his first goat!

At 2 months old, all of Zusha's hair fell out and he earned himself the title EGGHEAD.
Other accomplishments include:

• Sitting and standing while holding onto someone's hands
• Reaching for a toy consciously
• LAUGHING!
• Graduating to size 3 diapers.

One Month Old

At one month old, Zusha had his pidyon ha'ben. It was a very special event.
Another event that took place this month, which is a bit less special, is that he decided that he didn't like to sleep in his bassinet. Only the swing or Mama's bed, please!

One time I was cleaning out the closet. I put a bunch of hangers on Zusha's nursing pillow temporarily. The next time I held Zusha and he was high enough to see what I did to his pillow, his eyes popped out and he couldn't stop staring.

HAPPINESS INITIATION:
Before becoming happy, Zusha went through the following ritual: While lying on his back, he lifted his arms and legs very straight and lowered them to one side of his body. Lifted them slowly, and then same for the other side. He raised them, closed his eyes in delight and made a 'CLICK' with his tongue. Only then was he allowed to be happy.

Zushala's first few weeks...

Zusha had his bris mila on time, at 8 days old. At 9 days old, his umbilical stump fell off.
And he learned how to say "Agoo!"

The cows in the barn, they all say, "Moo Moo,"
My baby Zusha, he says, "Agoo!"

AGOOOOO!!!!

The Prince is here!

Meshulem Zusha has arrived, and he let everyone know it! He is the boss. He is the prince. No, he is the KING! Let O, you loyal subjects dance around this child!

He is the beautiful baby Zusil,
My baby's not a Busil.

After 26 hours of labor, Zusha arrived at 5:31 AM on a Monday.

One Motzei Shabbos, about a week after my due date, I went to sleep late. About an hour or two later, I woke up. My water has broken!
I woke up Hillel, called Dr. Mann, and began to get ready. I noticed in the mirror that my stomach looked much smaller with all the water gone. I also felt all the movements of my baby more- to the point of hurting.

I came to the hospital and checked in. Since I wasn't having contractions, they tried to induce me with Cervadil. I didn't want it, but they insisted, and I didn't know I had the right to refuse.
A little while later, the Cervadil fell out. I told the nurses, but they didn't listen. When the contractions stopped, they got nervous and gave me full blown Pitocin. That's when things went downhill.
The contractions were so awful. I had no break in between at all. And the worst part was that I wasn't able to move around. I was confined to bed!
I got two doses of Demerol to help relieve the pain. It was taking me an awfully long time to dilate.

At one point Dr. Mann wanted to check me again. I didn't want to because I was sure I wouldn't be dilated any more than the last check. The last time she checked, I was 3 cm. So when she announced, "You're full!" I thought I heard, "You're four!"
But then I realized that I was actually ready to get that baby out! I couldn't believe it. The pushing was so lovely sompared to the contraction pain. After 5 or 6 pushes, Zusha Baby entered this world!

I was so relieved and happy. I kept repeating, "I have a son! I have a little boy!"
I was too weak to hold or nurse him right away. After a few hours of sleep, we were both ready for cuddles and num nums. And that's the story of my big boy!

Getting Acquainted

At this time, as I start this blog, Zusha is 2 years and 3 months old and Gedalya is just about 6 months. I will try to briefly fill in all our wonderful times that led up to today.

Not all posts will be for the scrapbook, though. I will also write about things that are "off-topic" - off the kiddos' topic. But since the universe revolves around them anyway, EVERYTHING that goes on in my life has to do with them! ;)

I am proud to introduce...

My 2 bunnies!
Baby Bunny #1: Meshulem Zusha. He is a beautiful baby toddler, born on June 6, 2004.
Baby Bunny #2: Gedalya Aharon. He is the bestest bebichkin, born on March 30, 2006.

Now, sit back and enjoy as the 2 funny bunnies and their Mama bring to you all the fun, madness, chaos and love that these kiddos bring to this world.