We have all been blessed to have Grandma Maxine in our lives. Madilyn was so lucky to be born with 3 of her great-grandparents still alive to hold her, kiss her, hug her, take pictures with her and see her. And the great-grandparents she did not get to meet; Grandma Gert, Grandma May, Grandpa Murray and Grandpa Bernard are with her not only through her name but also when we tell her stories and laugh about the great memories we have of them.
We are all sad and hurt to have lost Grandma Maxine. She was a very special lady; her brisket, her tag-lines, her voice, her smile, how she accepted significant others as family, her opinions, how she was late almost everywhere but made a joke of it saying she liked to make an entrance; everything will be missed, every little detail we have of her, too many to list!!
The Abelsons
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Pincer
Madilyn, within the last week, has been perfecting her pincer grasp. She can pick up cherrios and small toys using her thimb and forefinger, but once she obtains the cheerio it gets lost in her hand and she holds it until it's soggy!!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Car
Big update...very exciting...drum roll please...
We got a car!! A '95 BMW, dark green in color.
"Kirby" was delivered on 4-14-2008 from MN.
Here is "Kirby" the new wheeled family member being rolled off of the delivery truck...
We got a car!! A '95 BMW, dark green in color.
"Kirby" was delivered on 4-14-2008 from MN.
Here is "Kirby" the new wheeled family member being rolled off of the delivery truck...
Sitting, waiting...
Madilyn woke this morning, like she does most mornings, at 5:30AM. We expected to find her laying on her stomach, head up, eyes peering over the crib rail, as she usually does. But this AM we found her sitting up, in the middle of the crib, facing the door, waiting for us to "save her" from the crib jail she had been in all night. It was truly so funny, I laugh just picturing it!!!
The Abelsons
The Abelsons
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sitting...
Madilyn is getting exceedingly more talented at getting from her belly or a crawling position to a seated position (without falling over). It is hilarious to watch her move her legs from under her to out in front of her and we just crack up because she is so cute and has learned to do so many new things and she doesn't even know it! She can also lean over while seated and reach for a toy and can right herself up again.
More later,
The Abelsons
More later,
The Abelsons
Sunday, April 13, 2008
April 12th 2008: First Crawl!
In the morning of April 12th Madilyn took a few "real" crawls forward, landing back on her tummy...but the evening she could officially crawl to a toy or book she wanted without using her tummy to help propell her forward! It is unbelievable how quickly she figured it out!
In the afternoon we met Liz, Gian and baby Gianni for lunch and a walk in NY. It was a fun and beautiful day! We went back to their house for a bit and Madi loved laughing while playing on the floor with Gianni in their new apartment. Pics to follow...
The Abelsons
In the afternoon we met Liz, Gian and baby Gianni for lunch and a walk in NY. It was a fun and beautiful day! We went back to their house for a bit and Madi loved laughing while playing on the floor with Gianni in their new apartment. Pics to follow...
The Abelsons
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Grandpa Abelson. Music Time
Thanks to Grandpa Abelson for a great visit to NY. Grandpa came in to hear Stephen perform at school and of course to see Madilyn Gwen!!!
Stephen did a fabulous job (we have it on video).
At school yesterday Madilyn had a sing along with Ryan. Ryan came to her room and played a few kid's songs for her and her friends, we hear Madilyn loved it!!!
The Abelsons
Stephen did a fabulous job (we have it on video).
At school yesterday Madilyn had a sing along with Ryan. Ryan came to her room and played a few kid's songs for her and her friends, we hear Madilyn loved it!!!
The Abelsons
Monday, April 7, 2008
Madilyn's update from Dr visit 4-3-2008
Madilyn is now 28 inches, 22 pounds 3 ounces, and she had her lead/anemia blood tests (her first finger prick) both came back perfect!!!
All for now,
The Abelsons
All for now,
The Abelsons
Madilyn's first little bump
Madilyn got her first bump on her forehead on 4-6-2008. She was trying to crawl forward and had her legs/butt in the air a bit too much and plunged forward onto her forehead. She dealt with it very well.
We think Madi is busy teething, she has yet to get one tooth, she is drooling a ton, eating toys like crazy and a bit cranky (which is unlike her).
We had a fun shabbat lunch with friends, Madi got to see a pug, Max, for the first time. Max loved Madi and Madi didn't know what to think of Max!!!
The Abelsons
We think Madi is busy teething, she has yet to get one tooth, she is drooling a ton, eating toys like crazy and a bit cranky (which is unlike her).
We had a fun shabbat lunch with friends, Madi got to see a pug, Max, for the first time. Max loved Madi and Madi didn't know what to think of Max!!!
The Abelsons
Thursday, April 3, 2008
A lesson on why it is good to NOT freak out
So throughout hew whole purse saga, the only thing that truly bothered me, not all the chasing, not all the card cancellations, not the fear of who has all of my personal information, but rather that someone was that dishonest to not turn it in. But I stayed positive, to teach Madilyn a lesson on letting go of what we cannot change (if it was gone it was gone, all we can do is move on from that and do the appropriate things) and on how to make the best of ANY situation.
Meanwhile, upon my return to work after being home with Madi and her fever, I get 2 calls, one from the Human Resource department of FEGS (my employer) and one from Bruce!
Both were in regards to my lost bag!!! Bruce took it because "I knew I would try to find the owner, and if someone else took it who knows". So I called Bruce back, he lives on the Upper East Side, has 3 girls, and has my beloved bag.
It is nice to know that in a busy world Bruce took the time to 1) call information to see if I was listed 2) call my employer so he could get a hold of me 3) Also leave a message on my work voicemail to make sure I got my bag back!
In the end it all worked out, there are great people in the world, and this too is just another experience in life!
Thanks for reading, again,
Alissa
Meanwhile, upon my return to work after being home with Madi and her fever, I get 2 calls, one from the Human Resource department of FEGS (my employer) and one from Bruce!
Both were in regards to my lost bag!!! Bruce took it because "I knew I would try to find the owner, and if someone else took it who knows". So I called Bruce back, he lives on the Upper East Side, has 3 girls, and has my beloved bag.
It is nice to know that in a busy world Bruce took the time to 1) call information to see if I was listed 2) call my employer so he could get a hold of me 3) Also leave a message on my work voicemail to make sure I got my bag back!
In the end it all worked out, there are great people in the world, and this too is just another experience in life!
Thanks for reading, again,
Alissa
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Chasing the 66
Picture this: I get a call that Madi has a fever of 101. I leave work to get Madi, as Steve is on his way to a choir concert he can't get out of, I take my cell phone from my purse into my pocket so I can more easily answer the phone if needed. I pick up Madi and collect all her things.
We step outside, I decide to forgo our usual walk to the train station (because Madi is sick, I wanted to save time, and because it was rainy out), and instead we take the M66 crosstown bus to the 1 train station.
I was holding my coat, but I decided to put on the coat (even if I was roasting from the heaviness of the coat and the -despite rain- nice temps outside) so that I had less to carry. I set down my purse, take off the backback with all of Madi's daycare belongings, and put on my coat. I then put the backpack on and then... failed this time to look behind me to make sure I gathered everything.
I get off, opened the umbrella and walked the 1/2 block or so to the train. I walk down the stairs, entered the platform, and BOOM, realize what I had just done.
I look down to make sure I wasn't mistaken, pleaded with myself that I really did have my purse on my arm, realize I really didn't, I say "F***", then apologize to Madi for doing so, and proceed to sprint back up the stairs, onto the street to play tag with the buses. I got back to the stop I got off at and got on the next bus.
Ironically, I remember exactly what the driver #1 looked like and the time I had gotten on his bus. But I thought for sure I would never see him again, although my new driver thought otherwise.
We get on the next M66 and I explain to the driver #2what happened. I asked the driver if he can communicate with the command center that a purse is missing; he did so. Then a passenger offered to share a cab with me to go chase the bus. I stated that I would rather wait on the bus, wait for the driver to hear from the command center and meet up with the M66 on York on the E.side of Manhattan where the buses wait. The driver assured me that only there were only 1-2 buses separating me from my purse because buses only come so often.
Finally, we get to York, I see two M66 buses, luckily not more. Driver says that one of them is my bus. I thank him profusely for helping. I dart off the bus and he says "careful, don't rush, don't hurt yourself". I merrily run to the 2 buses, happy there is even a hint of a chance I may be reunited with A) my same driver and more importantly B) my red beloved bag. I knock on the doors saying that I lost my purse. Immediately I know that bus#1 was not my bus, the driver didn't look familiar. I move to bus#2 and I explain why I am there. He asked if I was sure I was on that bus and I explained how I knew: He is the man with a toothpick in his mouth and he had let an rude old gentleman off the bus at Columbus who asked him rudely to lower the bus so he could more easily get off, at which point he knew I was searching the right bus. I looked at the seat I was in, he helped me too, but no red Longchamp bag to be found!
Driver #2 showed up when I was in bus #1 and asked if I had found my purse, I thought that was very nice of him.
Positive side note~ I had not lost my Madi and she is the only reason, at the time, that I did not lose my mind, I was actually VERY calm, while dying inside picturing all of the great purses, shoes and clothing my thief could be purchasing on 5th Avenue right then. Thank goodness, also, I did have my cell phone which I almost lost had I not transferred it to my pocket instead of my purse (in which case I would have felt totally isolated and the cards would not have been cancelled as quickly). I also thank Steve for staying calm and assuring me that all he cared about was that Madi and I were safe, healthy, and not in danger, not that the thief may have had access to ALL of our accounts.
I knew it was a story not likely to have a good ending, but I had to try, and I did go about it the right way (I did find the right bus) just not in time! I guess I was hoping someone grew up with a little decency/honesty/fear of Karma, but I guess the idea of free money got the best of them.
I contacted Steve, informed him of what happened, told him exactly which cards I had in my purse and he cancelled all of them in a timely and controlled manner.
Madilyn, of course, was amazing throughout the whole process. She looked at me, I swear, at one point, really looked at me and knew I was upset. She didn't fuss or make a peep the whole time between 4:30 and 6:15Pm, and in fact she fell sleep on the bus and didn't lose it until we got home.
This was my (our) first and God willing last time losing a wallet/purse.
We got home, Madi ate 4 ounces, tooksome tylenol for her fever, had some eye drops put in, was given a bath, dressed, she then at 5 more ounces and was asleep 20 miutes past her usual bedtime; not bad all in all!
Thanks for reading...
Alissa & Madilyn
We step outside, I decide to forgo our usual walk to the train station (because Madi is sick, I wanted to save time, and because it was rainy out), and instead we take the M66 crosstown bus to the 1 train station.
I was holding my coat, but I decided to put on the coat (even if I was roasting from the heaviness of the coat and the -despite rain- nice temps outside) so that I had less to carry. I set down my purse, take off the backback with all of Madi's daycare belongings, and put on my coat. I then put the backpack on and then... failed this time to look behind me to make sure I gathered everything.
I get off, opened the umbrella and walked the 1/2 block or so to the train. I walk down the stairs, entered the platform, and BOOM, realize what I had just done.
I look down to make sure I wasn't mistaken, pleaded with myself that I really did have my purse on my arm, realize I really didn't, I say "F***", then apologize to Madi for doing so, and proceed to sprint back up the stairs, onto the street to play tag with the buses. I got back to the stop I got off at and got on the next bus.
Ironically, I remember exactly what the driver #1 looked like and the time I had gotten on his bus. But I thought for sure I would never see him again, although my new driver thought otherwise.
We get on the next M66 and I explain to the driver #2what happened. I asked the driver if he can communicate with the command center that a purse is missing; he did so. Then a passenger offered to share a cab with me to go chase the bus. I stated that I would rather wait on the bus, wait for the driver to hear from the command center and meet up with the M66 on York on the E.side of Manhattan where the buses wait. The driver assured me that only there were only 1-2 buses separating me from my purse because buses only come so often.
Finally, we get to York, I see two M66 buses, luckily not more. Driver says that one of them is my bus. I thank him profusely for helping. I dart off the bus and he says "careful, don't rush, don't hurt yourself". I merrily run to the 2 buses, happy there is even a hint of a chance I may be reunited with A) my same driver and more importantly B) my red beloved bag. I knock on the doors saying that I lost my purse. Immediately I know that bus#1 was not my bus, the driver didn't look familiar. I move to bus#2 and I explain why I am there. He asked if I was sure I was on that bus and I explained how I knew: He is the man with a toothpick in his mouth and he had let an rude old gentleman off the bus at Columbus who asked him rudely to lower the bus so he could more easily get off, at which point he knew I was searching the right bus. I looked at the seat I was in, he helped me too, but no red Longchamp bag to be found!
Driver #2 showed up when I was in bus #1 and asked if I had found my purse, I thought that was very nice of him.
Positive side note~ I had not lost my Madi and she is the only reason, at the time, that I did not lose my mind, I was actually VERY calm, while dying inside picturing all of the great purses, shoes and clothing my thief could be purchasing on 5th Avenue right then. Thank goodness, also, I did have my cell phone which I almost lost had I not transferred it to my pocket instead of my purse (in which case I would have felt totally isolated and the cards would not have been cancelled as quickly). I also thank Steve for staying calm and assuring me that all he cared about was that Madi and I were safe, healthy, and not in danger, not that the thief may have had access to ALL of our accounts.
I knew it was a story not likely to have a good ending, but I had to try, and I did go about it the right way (I did find the right bus) just not in time! I guess I was hoping someone grew up with a little decency/honesty/fear of Karma, but I guess the idea of free money got the best of them.
I contacted Steve, informed him of what happened, told him exactly which cards I had in my purse and he cancelled all of them in a timely and controlled manner.
Madilyn, of course, was amazing throughout the whole process. She looked at me, I swear, at one point, really looked at me and knew I was upset. She didn't fuss or make a peep the whole time between 4:30 and 6:15Pm, and in fact she fell sleep on the bus and didn't lose it until we got home.
This was my (our) first and God willing last time losing a wallet/purse.
We got home, Madi ate 4 ounces, tooksome tylenol for her fever, had some eye drops put in, was given a bath, dressed, she then at 5 more ounces and was asleep 20 miutes past her usual bedtime; not bad all in all!
Thanks for reading...
Alissa & Madilyn
Upcoming...
On April 7th Stephen will be performing his Nusach presentation where he will sing, for professors and staff of JTS as well as fellow students, 13 prayers. We are thrilled that Barry, Stephen's dad, will be making a special trip to NY to hear Steve in action!
Alissa
Alissa
New happenings
Madilyn, for the first time, actually was able, after days of trying, to go from laying on her stomach to a sitting position! Also, she has figured out how to blow raspberries on other objects, not just on her lips/tongue!
She is BIG into playing now, bringing anything to her mouth and loves to babble; ra, ba, da, etc. She is still trying to crawl, but for now she turns, backs up and still travels around. She has a great memory, not only for games we play with her, but for the location of the cable box and DVD player. She likes to grab for the remotes and likes to watch the blinking lights on the cable box. We will turn her away stating that "those aren't toys, let's play with ____ instead" and she will stay distracted for maybe 40 seconds before turning, looking in the direction of the cable box and then turning her body to go for it, over and over again!
She is great at pinching things between her thumb and index finger and is starting to drop toys for fun (sometimes looking to see where they went).
Madi has conjunctivitis. She left the daycare early yesterday and we started eye drops last night. She is back at daycare today! Her eye looks better already after 4 doses of drops!
Steve has a choir concert tonight! Wish him good luck!
More later,
The Abelsons
She is BIG into playing now, bringing anything to her mouth and loves to babble; ra, ba, da, etc. She is still trying to crawl, but for now she turns, backs up and still travels around. She has a great memory, not only for games we play with her, but for the location of the cable box and DVD player. She likes to grab for the remotes and likes to watch the blinking lights on the cable box. We will turn her away stating that "those aren't toys, let's play with ____ instead" and she will stay distracted for maybe 40 seconds before turning, looking in the direction of the cable box and then turning her body to go for it, over and over again!
She is great at pinching things between her thumb and index finger and is starting to drop toys for fun (sometimes looking to see where they went).
Madi has conjunctivitis. She left the daycare early yesterday and we started eye drops last night. She is back at daycare today! Her eye looks better already after 4 doses of drops!
Steve has a choir concert tonight! Wish him good luck!
More later,
The Abelsons
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