Friday, June 05, 2009
Friday, May 08, 2009
What's in a name?
Welcome Noa Sigal Callen
The meaning of Noa:
Noa (Hebrew: נועה, Noa; or נעה, Nōʿā), is a feminine Hebrew name, derived from a root that means "movement". The name is used in the Hebrew Bible for one of the daughters of Zelophehad. Noa is commonly mistaken with נח which is the Hebrew spelling for Noah, the masculine version known from the biblical story about Noah's ark. Noa is also Japanese with the meaning of "with love". Noa is also a masculine Polynesian name (though not commonly used).
A short story:
Funny thing is both in utero and upon her arrival, she was a little mover and shaker. She quickly worked her way to her first breast feeding. All the nurses commented how much life and activity she had for a new one. She clutched her little hat with her two hands - just like her Dad loves hats.
Family connection:
In the Jewish tradition one often takes the first letter of a deceased family member and uses it to name their newborns. This is not a Jewish law, but rather a custom/tradition. There are several adaptations - from taking a relatives full name to simply using an initial. In our case the "N" is for the many Nick's from the Suciu family.
Meaning of Sigal:
Jewish origin, סִיגָל (Hebrew). Means "violet" or "treasure" in Hebrew.
A short story:
Judah's middle name is Matan - which means gift, Sigal is similar - Noa is our little treasure.
Family connection:
We are using the "S" from the Suciu family.
Vital stats:
8.5lbs
Born at 8:18am (after less than 5 hours of labor)
19.7inches long
The meaning of Noa:
Noa (Hebrew: נועה, Noa; or נעה, Nōʿā), is a feminine Hebrew name, derived from a root that means "movement". The name is used in the Hebrew Bible for one of the daughters of Zelophehad. Noa is commonly mistaken with נח which is the Hebrew spelling for Noah, the masculine version known from the biblical story about Noah's ark. Noa is also Japanese with the meaning of "with love". Noa is also a masculine Polynesian name (though not commonly used).
A short story:
Funny thing is both in utero and upon her arrival, she was a little mover and shaker. She quickly worked her way to her first breast feeding. All the nurses commented how much life and activity she had for a new one. She clutched her little hat with her two hands - just like her Dad loves hats.
Family connection:
In the Jewish tradition one often takes the first letter of a deceased family member and uses it to name their newborns. This is not a Jewish law, but rather a custom/tradition. There are several adaptations - from taking a relatives full name to simply using an initial. In our case the "N" is for the many Nick's from the Suciu family.
Meaning of Sigal:
Jewish origin, סִיגָל (Hebrew). Means "violet" or "treasure" in Hebrew.
A short story:
Judah's middle name is Matan - which means gift, Sigal is similar - Noa is our little treasure.
Family connection:
We are using the "S" from the Suciu family.
Vital stats:
8.5lbs
Born at 8:18am (after less than 5 hours of labor)
19.7inches long
Thursday, March 05, 2009
More stories...
Judah has been very interested in the orchestra - the conductor and all the instruments. So we recently took him to a children's concert - a chamber orchestra that played while a storyteller told stories. Some of the pieces featured children musicians including an 8-year-old violin prodigy. Judah was completely fascinated. He sat quietly on Laura's lap, in the front row, for the entire hour-long show. He wanted to know where all the other instruments were, since the chamber orchestra only had strings. And after the show he shook hands with the storyteller and the conductor. He also spied one of the kids packing up his instrument, so he went to say hello to him too. When Judah darted behind the curtain to run and see who was backstage, Laura finally had to grab him and go.
About a week later, Judah and Laura went to a free rehearsal of the East Bay Symphony Orchestra. They were held at the Paramount Theater, a beautiful, ornate building in downtown Oakland. There was a class of junior high school kids there, a handful of adults and us. This time Judah got to see the timpani drum and the french horns, one of his favorite instruments. He listened and watched for about a half hour before he discovered the fun of soft, folding chairs that went on for row after row after row...
Judah, Jonah and Kyler are taking a gymnastics class again. Just two months ago, when Judah took the same class, he wasn't interested in the trampoline. Now he can't get enough of it. He runs the length of the trampoline at full speed until he finally loses control and falls down, bouncing and laughing.
Yoga is also a new interest. Judah saw Jonah's father, Matt, doing yoga recently. The next day, Judah pulled out our yoga mat and insisted that we all do yoga. He has also made his nanny do yoga with him. Judah now knows a number of different poses, including cobra and tree. And he has even made up a few of his own. Coincidentally, I had just recently signed Judah up for a toddler yoga class. Ah, the life of a toddler in California!
When we ask Judah if he can do something, he says in an amusingly proper way, "yes, I can" - or "no, I cannot!".
Dinosaurs continue to be a big hit. Judah is learning a lot of the names. One day he kept saying "Boingosaurus". I wasn't familiar with that one (and I'm pretty proud of how much dinosaur knowledge I've already gained!) so I asked him what dinosaur that was. He said it was a dinosaur that jumped, looking at me in an almost exasperated way. Well of course, that makes complete sense.
This morning Judah wanted David to tell him a story while we were eating breakfast. He said, while trying to persuade him, "Daddy, you tell good stories!" And it's true. I was laughing nearly as much as Judah while David invented the story of Wizard Walooloo who searched for his wand on a train, being chased by a troll.
Judah and I regularly spend time with another mom, Laura, and her son, Noah. Judah and Noah are good buddies and play unusually well together - asking each other questions, showing each other interesting bugs and sticks, and hugging each other. This week we were at a great Coyote Point Park - a fantastic recreation area and children's wildlife museum just south of the SF airport. Laura and I were chatting about somebody who had done something that we didn't like so much, when Judah came up to me and said, "don't judge, mommy". I felt like I was the child! And his comment was absolutely right. After the shock of my reprimand wore off, I was proud and astounded - and a bit uncomfortable - that Judah and intuited something like that. It is said that children are your best teachers. Indeed. And uh-oh.
On the food front, asparagus is Judah's current favorite. The other night he ate nine spears! He likes it sauteed in some olive oil with garlic, pepper and salt. Sometimes a bit of ginger is nice too.
About a week later, Judah and Laura went to a free rehearsal of the East Bay Symphony Orchestra. They were held at the Paramount Theater, a beautiful, ornate building in downtown Oakland. There was a class of junior high school kids there, a handful of adults and us. This time Judah got to see the timpani drum and the french horns, one of his favorite instruments. He listened and watched for about a half hour before he discovered the fun of soft, folding chairs that went on for row after row after row...
Judah, Jonah and Kyler are taking a gymnastics class again. Just two months ago, when Judah took the same class, he wasn't interested in the trampoline. Now he can't get enough of it. He runs the length of the trampoline at full speed until he finally loses control and falls down, bouncing and laughing.
Yoga is also a new interest. Judah saw Jonah's father, Matt, doing yoga recently. The next day, Judah pulled out our yoga mat and insisted that we all do yoga. He has also made his nanny do yoga with him. Judah now knows a number of different poses, including cobra and tree. And he has even made up a few of his own. Coincidentally, I had just recently signed Judah up for a toddler yoga class. Ah, the life of a toddler in California!
When we ask Judah if he can do something, he says in an amusingly proper way, "yes, I can" - or "no, I cannot!".
Dinosaurs continue to be a big hit. Judah is learning a lot of the names. One day he kept saying "Boingosaurus". I wasn't familiar with that one (and I'm pretty proud of how much dinosaur knowledge I've already gained!) so I asked him what dinosaur that was. He said it was a dinosaur that jumped, looking at me in an almost exasperated way. Well of course, that makes complete sense.
This morning Judah wanted David to tell him a story while we were eating breakfast. He said, while trying to persuade him, "Daddy, you tell good stories!" And it's true. I was laughing nearly as much as Judah while David invented the story of Wizard Walooloo who searched for his wand on a train, being chased by a troll.
Judah and I regularly spend time with another mom, Laura, and her son, Noah. Judah and Noah are good buddies and play unusually well together - asking each other questions, showing each other interesting bugs and sticks, and hugging each other. This week we were at a great Coyote Point Park - a fantastic recreation area and children's wildlife museum just south of the SF airport. Laura and I were chatting about somebody who had done something that we didn't like so much, when Judah came up to me and said, "don't judge, mommy". I felt like I was the child! And his comment was absolutely right. After the shock of my reprimand wore off, I was proud and astounded - and a bit uncomfortable - that Judah and intuited something like that. It is said that children are your best teachers. Indeed. And uh-oh.
On the food front, asparagus is Judah's current favorite. The other night he ate nine spears! He likes it sauteed in some olive oil with garlic, pepper and salt. Sometimes a bit of ginger is nice too.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
More haps
We went to a children's theater performance of Snow White. It was great. Musical theater with a slightly different take on the story Judah knows. He sat in his own chair for the entire performance - an hour and fifteen minutes! - and hardly fidgeted. A few times he turned around as if to see who was talking too loudly. Couldn't they tell he was trying to watch a performance?!? Geesh.
Just as we were walking out the door with Dan and Amy last night, I heard Judah crying. I went to his room, thinking I would pat his back in the crib. As I opened the door, there he was, standing to greet me! It was the first time he had climbed out at night. And of course it had to happen when we were going out and Liam was the babysitter. I held Judah and explained that he needed to sleep and had to stay in his crib. And he did! So it was an uneventful night for Liam. This is toddler bed week, and it does indeed seem like the right time!
Just as we were walking out the door with Dan and Amy last night, I heard Judah crying. I went to his room, thinking I would pat his back in the crib. As I opened the door, there he was, standing to greet me! It was the first time he had climbed out at night. And of course it had to happen when we were going out and Liam was the babysitter. I held Judah and explained that he needed to sleep and had to stay in his crib. And he did! So it was an uneventful night for Liam. This is toddler bed week, and it does indeed seem like the right time!
Big questions, little person
Lately Judah has been asking, "Are you a good person?" and "Are you healthy?". We're not really ready for such existential inquiries from our 25-month-old. While we work on a good answer, we're just smiling and thinking how the nickname Judah Buddah is so appropriate.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
12/16 Stories
Hi,
I have to share this sweet Judah story...
Tonight Judah was pretending to be a good witch. We talked about how good witches grant wishes. You wish for something and "Poof!" - it appears! I asked Judah what his three wishes were, and he said "Bumpa!", "Grammy!" and "GG Rose!"
Other funny Judah stories...
When I'm driving with him, he navigates from his car seat, pointing and and saying "go that way, Mommy" or "over there, Mommy".
He loves to play with words. If I say "belly", he'll say "belly, boolly, beelly". If I say "breakfast", he'll say "breakfast, brookfoost, breekfeest".
It's all about dancing right now. He'll suddenly proclaim, "I'm gonna dance!" or "I'm a dancer!" and spin, stomp his feet, clap his hands, and wiggle around.
Good times,
Laura
I have to share this sweet Judah story...
Tonight Judah was pretending to be a good witch. We talked about how good witches grant wishes. You wish for something and "Poof!" - it appears! I asked Judah what his three wishes were, and he said "Bumpa!", "Grammy!" and "GG Rose!"
Other funny Judah stories...
When I'm driving with him, he navigates from his car seat, pointing and and saying "go that way, Mommy" or "over there, Mommy".
He loves to play with words. If I say "belly", he'll say "belly, boolly, beelly". If I say "breakfast", he'll say "breakfast, brookfoost, breekfeest".
It's all about dancing right now. He'll suddenly proclaim, "I'm gonna dance!" or "I'm a dancer!" and spin, stomp his feet, clap his hands, and wiggle around.
Good times,
Laura
Judah Stories
A few of the latest cute stories:
I usually cook scrambled eggs with a spatula. One morning I decided to use a fork instead. From his chair where he's eating breakfast and watching me, Judah says, "use a spatula mommy, not a fork!"
Judah likes to walk around town and ask "what does that store sell?" As we were about to get into the car this morning, he pointed to a store and asked what they sold. I said, "that's a liquor store" and Judah said, with a big smile on his face, "a licorice store?!?" So of course I responded, "Yes, that's exactly right. It's a licorice store, where all you can get is licorice."
On Judah's birthday, I explained that it was a very, very special day. I asked him why it was so special. He said, "It's Shabbat!"
This morning Judah told me his favorite foods are pizza, pancakes and frozen blueberries. And he wants to go to a restaurant that serves only those foods. I'm pleased that Judah actually has a wider diet than that, and he now likes to eat fresh tomatoes and broccoli.
Judah likes to play in his crib a lot these days. He says, "I'm a crane!" and he sticks his arm out of the crib to pick up whatever is on the floor. It has also become our puppet theater. David puts on wonderful puppet shows using stuffed animals and the puppets we gave Judah for his birthday - Pinocchio and a prince.
And speaking of puppet shows, we're on our fifth show at Fairyland. This one is about bears going on a picnic. As usual, Judah was entranced at the first performance - which means David and I will be hearing the music in our sleep and reciting the storyline upon request. Judah also wanted to sit by himself on the bench for the first time. (Interesting fact: the puppet show at Fairyland is the oldest, continuous running puppet show in the United States.)
Judah is now using (non-flouridated) toothpaste and we're brushing twice a day. I now wonder why they make children's toothpaste taste so good - Judah's is strawberry flavored. He wants to swallow it rather than spit. So spitting has become our latest project. I'm just waiting for him to finally get it - and begin spitting at all the wrong times.
Occasionally we get on the computer with Judah to look at photos and family videos. One evening Judah kept saying, "Per Gynt!" so David looked for the music of Per Gynt on You Tube. Judah watched quite a few minutes of an orchestral performance, completely rapt. So we want to take him to see an orchestra sometime soon.
I usually cook scrambled eggs with a spatula. One morning I decided to use a fork instead. From his chair where he's eating breakfast and watching me, Judah says, "use a spatula mommy, not a fork!"
Judah likes to walk around town and ask "what does that store sell?" As we were about to get into the car this morning, he pointed to a store and asked what they sold. I said, "that's a liquor store" and Judah said, with a big smile on his face, "a licorice store?!?" So of course I responded, "Yes, that's exactly right. It's a licorice store, where all you can get is licorice."
On Judah's birthday, I explained that it was a very, very special day. I asked him why it was so special. He said, "It's Shabbat!"
This morning Judah told me his favorite foods are pizza, pancakes and frozen blueberries. And he wants to go to a restaurant that serves only those foods. I'm pleased that Judah actually has a wider diet than that, and he now likes to eat fresh tomatoes and broccoli.
Judah likes to play in his crib a lot these days. He says, "I'm a crane!" and he sticks his arm out of the crib to pick up whatever is on the floor. It has also become our puppet theater. David puts on wonderful puppet shows using stuffed animals and the puppets we gave Judah for his birthday - Pinocchio and a prince.
And speaking of puppet shows, we're on our fifth show at Fairyland. This one is about bears going on a picnic. As usual, Judah was entranced at the first performance - which means David and I will be hearing the music in our sleep and reciting the storyline upon request. Judah also wanted to sit by himself on the bench for the first time. (Interesting fact: the puppet show at Fairyland is the oldest, continuous running puppet show in the United States.)
Judah is now using (non-flouridated) toothpaste and we're brushing twice a day. I now wonder why they make children's toothpaste taste so good - Judah's is strawberry flavored. He wants to swallow it rather than spit. So spitting has become our latest project. I'm just waiting for him to finally get it - and begin spitting at all the wrong times.
Occasionally we get on the computer with Judah to look at photos and family videos. One evening Judah kept saying, "Per Gynt!" so David looked for the music of Per Gynt on You Tube. Judah watched quite a few minutes of an orchestral performance, completely rapt. So we want to take him to see an orchestra sometime soon.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
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