Belle's Sukkot

The Jewish holiday of Sukkot started last Wednesday night. One of the practices of this holiday is to "dwell" in the sukkah, which includes eating in it. At night, the weather can be too cold for a newborn baby, but during the day, especially this past week, the weather was perfect for dining in the sukkah. Further, Belle is nice and quiet during the day and much more predictable during the day rather than at night. Therefore, we had lunch Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the sukkah. The first three days there was a synagogue-catered lunch and a couple of tables set aside for bring-your-own lunch. Today (Sunday), there was a birthday party taking place in the sukkah, as well as the same tables set up for the community to come in. There were a few couples who were in the sukkah each day as we were and we soon became friendly. They were impressed that we brought Belle to the sukkah. They reminisced about their kids in NYC. Rabbi Levine, who presided over Belle's naming, came over to say hi and his wife (the Rebbitzin) and Seren discussed motherhood. It was nice for all.

Belle put her best foot forward for the community by never fussing in the sukkah. She really enjoyed herself and impressed our fellow diners. In fact, here are some pictures that we took on Sunday in our return visit.

Sorry- Grateful

Seren and I have enjoyed the lyrics to the song "Sorry-Grateful" from Company by Stephen Sondheim. Now that we have a daughter it has taken on a whole new meaning.

You're always sorry
You're always grateful
You're always wondering what might have been
Then she walks in

And still you're sorry
And still you're grateful
And still you wonder
And still you doubt
And she goes out

Everything's different
Nothing's changed
Only maybe slightly rearranged

You're sorry-grateful
Regretful-happy
Why look for answers
Where none occur?

You always are
What you always were
Which has nothing to do with
All to do with her

You're always sorry
You're always grateful
You hold her thinking
I'm not alone
You're still alone

You don't live for her
You do live with her
You're scared she's starting
To drift away
And scared she'll stay

Good things get better
Bad get worse
Wait, I think I meant that in reverse

You're sorry-grateful
Regretful-happy
Why look for answers
Where none occur
You'll always be
What you always were
Which has nothing to do with
All to do with her

Nothing to do with
All to do with her

Do babies get any cuter?

After a bath...

Seren's Strategy

It has failed. Seren has gotten poo'ed on frequently. I stand by my strategy - I open up the diaper and cover for 10 seconds. Then I proceed. It's worked. Seren's rushing strategy ends with poo on her hands.

Seren's Strategy

"The key is to move quickly because then you don't get shat on." I give her 2 days before it happens.

Respecting the Superman

My friends had warned me of projectile poo. But I have a little angel. She sleeps; she eats; she pees; she's quiet. Her biggest concern is whether her feet are covered. But yesterday, she picked a fight with me.

Belle and I were getting ready for a walk to let Mom sleep for a little. She was all set in her stroller when I heard her poo. Ok, I'm a solid Dad, I brought her onto the changing pad and got ready. I opened the diaper and examined to see if it was sufficiently "scrambled eggs." "Seren, take a look" and phlotz... She pooed. On me. On my clothes. On my Superman t-shirt. She did not respect the Superman. She should have. I still love her. How can I be upset at someone so beautiful and innocent? She broke my trust. I'll be on guard again. But it's going to be tough getting back on that bicycle of changing poo diapers. But again, look at this face.



Today, she again challenged me. I changed her diaper and decided that she would be comfortable laying on her stomach. So I put her on her stomach on my lap as I watched tv. I felt my legs get warm, but I figured it was her body heat on my body. When I stood up, I had a wet spot on my shorts. I'll learn soon.

CepStar Has A Name

This morning we named our beautiful daughter.  Her name is Belle Shoshanna Cepler (her Hebrew name, Shaina Shoshanna).  She was named after Seren's grandfather, William (Bill) Fradis who passed away in 2003.

Belle can't wait to meet all of her family and friends. 

Love,
Seren, Craig & Belle

On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 1:55 AM, Craig Cepler <XXXXXXXX@gmail.com> wrote:

We are very ecstatic and joyful to announce the birth of a beautiful baby girl Cepler on August 29, 2010 at 11:28 pm.  She's a gorgeous little lady who weighed in at 7 lbs, 4 oz.  Height is not yet determined.  Mom and baby are doing absolutely perfectly.  They have a beaming father/husband.  Mom absolutely dominated labor. 

Information about a name will come later.  In the meantime, we're all going to recover.

Love,
Seren, Craig & Baby Girl Cepler