Today the Toddler Became a Big Boy

Today was Lag B'Omer. It was the big day. Zusha's upsherin. He's a whole new child, and it's a whole new stage for us all.
We started out in the morning, hoping to come to our shul's upsherin event for all the little boys, but it was too early for Zusha, so we missed it. We decided to go to Stuchin and get the first snip done by R' Motel Zilber. It wasn't time yet, so meanwhile I took Zusha to get some pizza.

We got to shul and waited nicely for the davening to end, taking TONS of pictures on the way! Then it was time for Zusha to go down for the first step in his transformation.
All the men wished him mazal tov, and then his first lock was snipped.

We then went home to finish up. At first Zusha was afraid of the haircut machine, but when he saw that it doesn't hurt, only tickles, he was fine with it. And then he became Big Boy Zusha, with his long peyos and velvety new yarmulka.
Mazal Tov little big boy!

April 2007 Photos

Gedalya sleeping in his crib for the first time! 1 year, 2 weeks.

April 2007 Videos

This is the day Gedalya learned to walk. He was so excited that is jumped up with both feet! I was very impressed (and glad I caught it on video ;) because one year old is way too young to be able to jump like that!

Zusha was also super excited for Gedalya and his new skill. Here he is tackling Gedalya into my lap and calling him good. "Havossi, havossi!" (Horoshiy)


We were playing with clay and I made a "shabbos set" for Zusha. Challa, cutting board, challa cover...

The Cheider Interview

Today we went to Zusha's cheider for an interview. I was pretty positive that he'd cling to me for dear life the entire time and refuse to say a word. Baruch Hashem I was wrong. He did beautifully! The principal took him to his side of the desk and showed him a picture book Zusha had to name the pictures and answer the principal's questions. He knew most things. Except that he called the cow in the picture "Moorka." (his toy cow's name.)
He also pointed to all the Alef Bais letters in the book, naming them. The principal wasn't thrilled, especially at the "Shlos Mem," which is one of the harder letters to learn. He likes it when the school introduces the letters for the first time so the children shouldn't be bored. Besides for the fact that kids this age will not be bored with repetition of things they love, if my child wants to learn and keeps asking me to tell me what the letters are called, I will not brush him off. I believe in letting natural curiosity lead the way. And if the child is turned down at his request to learn for the dozenth time, how eager will he be to learn it once the time comes, in school? No, we will be indulging our children's love of learning at their own pace.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the grand event.

Coming out of the cheider building with Tatte, very absorbed in the chocolate wafer he got from the Rebbe.

We went for ice cream after the interview!

The Lior is Still Here.

Two nights ago Zusha got hysterical when I tried to put him for a nap, so I let it slide. We did other things instead. I figured I'd put him in early, but the hysterics started up again. Screaming, thrashing, crying, climbing from the crib in terror. I removed the crib rail, making it into a toddler bed. He seemed to like it, but hopped right out crying. I put him back in and put a gate in his doorway. He begged me to let him go because Lor is there. So I did. Eventually he was so worn out that he listened when I said that I chased Lor away and he won't come when Zusha is sleeping.
Yesterday he tried to resist his nap but gave in. Bedtime was also not too bad. But in the middle of the night he woke up 3 or 4 times, crying hysterically that he wants out and to my bed.
Twice he climbed out- for the first time at night. I got 3 nonconsecutive hours of sleep. So did Zusha. But again he went nuts at naptime. My mother came to take him out and he slept 1/2 hour in the stroller with her. Bedtime was not bad cuz I promised him a new toy, and gave it to him on the condition that he stays in bed.

I've tried everything! Ordering the monster to leave, etc... He is still terrified.
Don't forget that I have another child who is being quite neglected through all this.
I have to add that all 4 of us are sick. I am NOT coping.
I am ready to order him a toddler bed, as I tried the mattress on the floor thing, but he still pops up in an instant.

And a Week Later...

6 days after Gedalya took his first steps, he converted to walking 95% of the time. And a couple of days later it was already an unusual sight to see him crawl.

Gedalya's Fun New Tricks

Recently, Gedalya began doing such cute things, all either self-taught or big-brother-taught.
First off, when he hears the word music, he starts to sing his little lungs out! And when someone says the word "Laugh," that is what he does.

For a long time I've been teaching Gedalya that when he wants more food, he shouldn't scream, but rather say, "Noch" and make the sign: poking the palm with the pointer finger of the other hand.
One day I gave him a drawer full of diapers for his entertainment. When he finished playing, I showed him how to put them back and asked him to put in more, noch. And he signed noch to me! Then he understood what I wanted from him and put a diaper back in. I cheered and said, "Noch!" So the smart aleck took it out and put it back in!
Another time he was finished eating and wanted more. He remembered what I taught him and started saying, "Na? Na? Na? Na?" I didn't realize what he wanted right away, so he began to wave his pointer finger and open palm around and around until I got it and gave him more food.

He also added a new word to his vocabulary: "Bwu-Ga." Can't guess what it is? Take a look below.








Today we were walking outside when all the school buses were taking the children home, and every step of the way Gedalya was pointing and calling, "Bwu-Ga! Bwu-Ga!"
So far he can name:
Vava
Mama
Tatte
Te (Train)
Ka (Mashinka/Car or Kichala)
Bwu-Ga
Na (noch, while signing it.)