Zevi's 3 week portraits

Thank you to our wonderful photographer for these amazing shots of Zevi at 3 weeks old.  Man he is adorable and so sweet.  They grow too fast.  

Erecting the Sukkah 2013

 

We interrupt our catch up to give you pre-sukkot 2013.

We got the sukkah up, thanks to help from the Nolde's ... and we have it in a new spot this year since we had so much tree work thanks to hurricane Sandy.  We haven't decorated it yet, and we have to put up new pictures this year to include Zevi. 

Zachary was a big helper, and provided music for us to work to.

Zoe was not so much help with construction this year - instead she was in charge of entertaining baby Zevi as he watched from the swing and helping the Nolde boys catch a frog who we named Fred. 

Chag Sameach Sukkot from our sukkah to yours. 

Zevi 2nd and 3rd week

Looking back at Zevi's early weeks.  He enjoyed snuggles from everyone and lots of them.  

Here is Zevi wearing a sleeper that once belonged to Uncle Brian.  He was warm and comfy,

Zevi sporting a cowboy onesie became known as Tex Ritter that week.

Lastly, Zachary had a big assignment due for his study of the Native Americans.  He built a Yarok 'house' out of popsicle sticks and used real moss as the grass.  He did very well on this assignment.  

Zevi's Brit Milah

Zevi's Brit Milah was on March 28, 2013, just 8 days old.  It was the first day of Chol Hamoed during Pesach (non shul days of Passover).  Because it was Passover we had to find a caterer who could prepare the food and have it ready just after the holiday days.  Thankfully everything came together - thanks to friends who did some shopping, Grammy and Grandpa who got the paper goods, and Mama and Daddy being organized despite having a new baby and it being Passover. Now it was time for our baby to get his name and join "the tribe."

Check out our new and improved family!

Zachary and Zoe kissing their baby before his brit and saying the Shema.

One more good luck kiss from Mama.

GG and Zadie hold him on his way to the bimah.

Then Grammy and Grandpa give him a snuggle.

Daddy brang him up to the bimah.

Aunt Rebecca was his Sondeket keeping him safe during the Brit while GG gave him grape juice.  Mama had been the Sondeket for Josh and Ethan so she was sure glad Aunt Rebecca could do it for Zevi.  Zevi was very brave and Rabbi Adler did a perfect job.  After this, Rabbi Hyman gave Zevi his name - and everyone was awaiting this news since no one knew his name before then.  Zevi Ritter in English and Zevi Reuven in hebrew in memory of our beloved Grandma/Mahma Rita who left us in 2012.  Now we have our 3 Z's and Zevi became a member the tribe.

First sponge bath

Zevi still had his belly button and hadn't gotten his name yet, but it was time for a bath.  So, GG, Aunt Rebecca, Ethan, Peyton and Zoe helped Mama give him his first sponge bath.  That is a lot of folks in the bathroom at once!  Oh yes and Daddy was in to take the pictures.  Thankfully Peyton took her bath at the same time in the tub so she could watch and get clean too.  Enjoy the pictures from this exciting milestone of baby Zevi's early days at home. 

GG helped get him undressed and although it looks like it she didn't actually strangle him.

Ethan was enamored both with the baby and with  getting him ready to be washed. Mama loves the look on her face from when she was talking to Ethan about Zevi's first bath.

Boy was he mad, not his favorite activity in those days, but thankfully he has learned to enjoy the bath.

Looking less mad, and still scrawny.

See Peyton watching from the tub - too cute!

Zoe was a big helper and gave Zevi a snuggle afterwards.

All clean and SO cute!  He was sure glad it was over. 

1st days home for Zevi & Passover

 When we arrived home with Zevi (thanks Zadie for coming to the hospital to bring baby home) Aunt Rebecca, Josh, Ethan, and Peyton were here waiting to meet their new cousin/nephew.  Zoe couldn't wait to hold Zevi again and show him off to everyone.  Ethan was also really into checking him out.

 GG enjoyed having all her grandchildren together and spent lots of time snuggling baby Zevi which was very helpful to Mama as she settled back in at home.  

 Zoe really loves holding Zevi ... too sweet.

  We also had to prepare for Passover, and the kids all really enjoyed doing the Bedikah Chometz (inspection for leavened items).  Zachary led the charge but all the kids found bread scattered around.

 Our Seders were a big success.  Even Peyton got in on some of the action before her bedtime, sporting a kippah and Aunt Betsy's dress from when she was little.  Daddy had picked up a matzah outfit for baby Zevi to wear, and boy did he look adorable.  All the kids participated in our Seder, and their parents and grandparents were very proud.

Zevi meets his grandparents and heads home from the hospital

 GG took care of Zachary and Zoe the day Zevi was born.  She spent lots of time visiting with him after his arrival and keeping Mama company.  Here she is with Daddy in our hospital room.

 Grammy and Grandpa came to meet him and snuggle him.  They fell in love at first site!

 Finally Zadie arrives just in time to bring Zevi home.  Daddy changed Zevi into his special "take-home" outfit and Zevi managed to pee in it before we even strapped him into the car seat.  Pretty typical for him it seems.

 HOME!  Greeted by Aunt Rebecca, his cousins, and of course Zoe and Zachary