Brooke was converted today at the American Jewish University. The official ceremony takes place in a Mikvah, a ritual bath, and witnessed by 3 rabbis (like a mini Jewish Supreme Court). Mom and dad (yes we wore bathing suits) got in the Mikvah with Brooke and 3 quick prayers were recited and before each Brooke was fully immersed (for like a second). She clearly did not like the water in her eyes but other than that she was a trooper and laughing and smiling with the good natured elderly rabbis who wished her Mazel Tov and to us a lifetime of Nachas. It was a wonderful day and a lovely experience for us.
In the future she will only be allowed to date American Jewish Chinese boys. She will probably need to hire a matchmaker!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Dragon Wagon
Last weekend we braved the 85 degree weather to march in the Chinese New Year parade "The Golden Dragon parade" through Chinatown. We walked with FCC as guests of the Chinese Historical Society and we were the 2nd entry to the parade. The formation was a killer in the heat with the two girls but we found a shady place to hang out. We took all our Chinese New Year decorations and decorated the wagon...Then we hung Sienna's dragon puppet over the umbrella and christened the wagon-THE DRAGON WAGON. It was a fun day but not one that I think we need to repeat in the near future. Sienna loved marching and Brooke enjoyed waving and clapping with the crowd. She looked so cute with her velcro sunglasses and hat!
We are so excited because our Cousins Joe and Tammy are in Hefei right now picking up their 2nd chinese daughter. We heard from them while they were touring Beijing and it sounds like they had a great time there. We can't wait to see their new addition, Jadelyn. Gotcha day is the 18th!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Chaya Leah, Dim Sum and the Lotus Candle
Saturday was the big day!
First we set off to TRZ for Brooke's Baby Naming with about 50 of our closet friends and relatives. Aunt Laura came out from Michigan for the event (where it was 17 degrees-not a hard sell!). We arrived at temple at 10:00am just as they were getting ready to read the weekly portion. I made Aliyah for the first time ever and read the Hebrew prayers. I did get nervous and choke on a section but I think it was unnoticeable. It was a day of honors as Brooke is named after John's late mother Betty and her Hebrew name is after Karen's maternal grandmother Clara. I think John's sister was a little choked up and so was my mom when they heard all the wonderful things that were said about their mothers. It was the perfect choices of names for Brooke. Uncle Herbie was there standing in for Karen's father and I think the event brought back a lot of emotion for both of us. There is a big missing without my father there. It was amazing looking out to the congregation and watching our loved ones as they wished us well.
After the ceremony we went to A&W for a Dim Sum Lunch that was just fantastic. This was an incredible way to celebrate both Brooke's one year birthday and Chinese New Year. Sienna was the belle of the kids table and was so excited to see her friends all gathered together for her sister's birthday. There was some pandamonium until the food was served. The food was in one word YUMMY. We had congee, egg rolls, fried rice, long life noodles with seafood, shrimp dumplings, chicken shui mei, Shrimp and scallop dumplings and mixed vegetables. There was way too much food and everyone got to take home care packages for the Chinese New Year. The theme of the party was Kai-Lin from the new highly anticipated Nick Jr. show Ni-Hao Kai Lin which ran for the first time on the Lunar New Year. We had puppet centerpieces along with dragon puppets and beautiful chinese music playing in the background. We were able to show the video of the trip on our lap top and dvd player. The lunch ended with a huge cake from the chinese bakery complete with a lotus flower candle that opened with many little candles on each petal after it was lit. As the guests left each child received a red envelope.
Brooke was a trooper for the event although she didn't receive well the folks that she didn't know who tried to pick her up. She loved the food, especially the congee. For her actual birthday we had a chocolate cake that she wanted to eat all by herself. We cut her a piece but she insisted that we give her a spoon and she proceeded to feed herself from the spoon for the first time.
Yesterday was also her 1 yr. check up and in one month she gained almost 2 lbs and weighs a whopping 22 lbs. She also grew one inch. Dr. B reported that she is in perfect condition and right on target in everyway.
We are so blessed.
First we set off to TRZ for Brooke's Baby Naming with about 50 of our closet friends and relatives. Aunt Laura came out from Michigan for the event (where it was 17 degrees-not a hard sell!). We arrived at temple at 10:00am just as they were getting ready to read the weekly portion. I made Aliyah for the first time ever and read the Hebrew prayers. I did get nervous and choke on a section but I think it was unnoticeable. It was a day of honors as Brooke is named after John's late mother Betty and her Hebrew name is after Karen's maternal grandmother Clara. I think John's sister was a little choked up and so was my mom when they heard all the wonderful things that were said about their mothers. It was the perfect choices of names for Brooke. Uncle Herbie was there standing in for Karen's father and I think the event brought back a lot of emotion for both of us. There is a big missing without my father there. It was amazing looking out to the congregation and watching our loved ones as they wished us well.
After the ceremony we went to A&W for a Dim Sum Lunch that was just fantastic. This was an incredible way to celebrate both Brooke's one year birthday and Chinese New Year. Sienna was the belle of the kids table and was so excited to see her friends all gathered together for her sister's birthday. There was some pandamonium until the food was served. The food was in one word YUMMY. We had congee, egg rolls, fried rice, long life noodles with seafood, shrimp dumplings, chicken shui mei, Shrimp and scallop dumplings and mixed vegetables. There was way too much food and everyone got to take home care packages for the Chinese New Year. The theme of the party was Kai-Lin from the new highly anticipated Nick Jr. show Ni-Hao Kai Lin which ran for the first time on the Lunar New Year. We had puppet centerpieces along with dragon puppets and beautiful chinese music playing in the background. We were able to show the video of the trip on our lap top and dvd player. The lunch ended with a huge cake from the chinese bakery complete with a lotus flower candle that opened with many little candles on each petal after it was lit. As the guests left each child received a red envelope.
Brooke was a trooper for the event although she didn't receive well the folks that she didn't know who tried to pick her up. She loved the food, especially the congee. For her actual birthday we had a chocolate cake that she wanted to eat all by herself. We cut her a piece but she insisted that we give her a spoon and she proceeded to feed herself from the spoon for the first time.
Yesterday was also her 1 yr. check up and in one month she gained almost 2 lbs and weighs a whopping 22 lbs. She also grew one inch. Dr. B reported that she is in perfect condition and right on target in everyway.
We are so blessed.
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