Muffin In The Oven

Twenty-Thousand Words

muffinintheoven — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:50:30 +0000

“For he is beautiful and good” (Exodus 2:2)

muffinintheoven — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 04:59:07 +0000

At 5:24am on December 29, we greeted a sweet, blond-haired and blue-eyed wonder into the world. There is much to say– My heart is spilling over (with bigger-and-bigger-and-bigger love of Miriam and new love of my son) and tears flowing hard (a lot of trial and infinite joy)–but for now:

The essential facts, new one: Male; 7 lbs 6 ounces; 19″ long, tender heart. Pictures soon.

The essential facts, Miriam: Ima; 124 lbs – (7 lbs 6 ounces + amniotic fluid); radiant; exhausted; recovering; otherwordly stength and fortitude; inspiring love and generosity of spirit. Pictures soon.

The essential facts, Me: Abba, 160 lbs; overjoyed; awed; sleepless; in love; at home, missing his wife and son (who he only just met).

SAVE THE DATE: Brit ceremony on Shabbat, January 5 at 2pm on the UES. Details to follow.

Week 39–Gesundheit

muffinintheoven — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:43:35 +0000

The week began with a belly casting, led by Abby, a dear friend. The result is incredible and beautiful, a minimalist (and round) work of art (see below for a picture). On Tuesday, we went to Babies R Us with Miriam’s mom, who generously bought us the layette and other D-Day necessities (They’ll stay at her place until the day). Further plans for the ceremony (including the location) took shape, all of which, of course, depend on a healthy delivery. And we made two playlists for labor (Laborious Jazz) and delivery (Ditty Deliverance). As the week ended, Miriam caught-a-cold from one (or several) of her sick patients. She is, we hope, through the worst, soon to be reenergized for the birth. Still, at the end of Week 39, Miriam is pregnant—more pregnant—still. We hope the anticipation and suspense won’t last much longer (as we are unsure if, sooner-than-later, we will explode). Come on, Muffin! Let’s do this thing!

Week 38–”All I Want Is You”

muffinintheoven — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:10:05 +0000

This week began with an intimate-pregnancy/birthday party for Miriam: good wishes, high fiber food, and reflections on women’s bodies. Then Miriam headed into the last week of her Sub-I (for the layman, “sub-internship,” a four-week, in-field rotation), which ended with more glowing reviews and, at times, a sore back (Remedied by a prenatal massage, a la the in-laws). The week ended with “Juno” (highly recommended), which inspired happy tears of love and expectation. At this point, we are ready to give Muffin a real name and Muffin is fit for the world (as much as one can tell). So, each day, we share some encouragement (You can do it! Release those things that get it going. Hey, you have the easy part!) and coaxing (warm arms, breast milk, something other than the uterine wall to see). When particularly froofy, Yaron leads Miriam in a guided meditation, which Yaron intends to thin Miriam’s cervix but may cleanse plaque, empty sweat glands, or do nothing at all. By now, hopefully, Muffin has exhausted his excuses (with all three grandparents in-town, he cannot have many left). In the meantime, we wait: packed bag, printed birth plan, and set-aside cab fare.

Week 37-Stretch,

muffinintheoven — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 03:49:06 +0000

Stretch, Age—This week, included Miriam’s twenty-ninth birthday (Happy Birthday!), which means Yaron, for three months, is married to a woman three-years his senior.

Stretch, Marks—False alarm, as Yaron mistook lines from Miriam’s tights (it is cold here). That said, Miriam’s belly is humongous (Camera malfunction, but we will post a new picture soon).

Stretch, Yoga—As a supplement to her elliptical workouts at the NYU Palladium gym (beside gawking undergrads), Miriam continues to practice yoga, but now at home (Her membership expired), following a prenatal-yoga video online.

Stretch, Home—It feels like it, for sure. Excited, a little scared, certainly nervous, maybe anxious, yet overall stoked. We set a plan for how Miriam should reach Yaron when she is in labor, including an emergency liaison just in case Yaron does not call immediately (Thank you, Shayne, superstar at NYU’s Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies). This week, we will pack a bag for the hospital, set-aside cab-cash, and such. We began a conversation with Muffin, encouragement for an arrival any day after Sunday, December 16 (Full thirty-eight weeks and all three grandparents will be in the New York Metropolitan area). Oh, who knows?!?

Week 36–Rockin-Out

muffinintheoven — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:43:46 +0000

As in all previous visits, a nurse checked Miriam’s weight (+2.5 lbs since last visit), blood pressure (110 over 60), and pee (awesome?). As before, Dr Halpern checked Muffin’s heart-rate (booming) and position (head-down). Yet this week, Miriam’s OB appointment looked toward delivery more than before. We visited the delivery-floor (good spirits) and toured one of the eight identical delivery-rooms: The room was huge—A spacious studio, by Manhattan standards; Big windows line one wall, below which was a comfy couch; The bathroom included a shower for two. We reviewed Dr Halpern’s call-schedule and will make an appointment to meet the other OB who might be at Miriam’s delivery. Over the week, we read much on labor-and-delivery, from books given to us by Miriam’s cousin, Jen, and sister-in-law, Amy, and Yaron’s parents. We outlined the birth ceremony and sketched some prospective menus. Today, we discussed labor and delivery with a doula (who praisingly referred to Dr Halpern as “like a midwife”). Oh, and last night, we went to watch a dance performance, during which Muffin rocked-out.

Week 35–Full-Stride

muffinintheoven — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:01:28 +0000

Week thirty-five began with Miriam’s arrival into to Oakland Airport. Miriam’s sister, Rachel, expected a front-loaded waddler to deplane. Yet Miriam, with a huge backpack and in full-stride, charged past her companions, to her surprised and impressed sister. After several excellent days in San Francisco with just as many successful interviews, Miriam pre-boarded for her last flight before she delivers (Indeed, the next two months will be the longest period without a flight since we met.). Upon arrival, Yaron whisked her to Thanksgiving Dinner at Earlwoode. Aside from a delicious and nourishing meal, Yaron’s abba, David, handed-down the shirt worn at the birth of his children—“Coach” on the front; on the back, recently added, “The Next Generation”!In the few days we were apart, Miriam’s belly grew more. So much so, the maternity jacket she ordered (but arrived during her interviews) does not make the trip around the poles. She sports her pre-belly jeans, but cannot squeeze into her new maternity wear.Also, check Belly soon—We’ll add week-thirty-five shots to the slideshow.

Week 34–”We now invite our pre-board passengers”

muffinintheoven — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:34:36 +0000

Miriam took her big-and-getting-bigger belly to the pre-board lines of EWR (to SEA) and PDX (to OAK), with a shotgun ride from SEA to PDX. In Seattle, Miriam’s four days included three interviews, three get-to-know-you dinners, and one unofficial visitor’s day. Miriam and her belly (“You look absolutely beautiful”), and her application received rave reviews. For the last day and our anniversary eve, Yaron met her in Seattle. After Yaron’s whirlwind tour of the city’s main attractions (from the astounding library to delectable herring), Yaron and Miriam indulged in pacific sushi before a rainy drive to Portland. After a late arrival at the Comfort Inn and a short night’s rest, Yaron drove Miriam to yet another interview, this one at OHSU. While Miriam wowed another group, Yaron sped through another whirlwind tour (from Columbia Gorge waterfalls to a jelly donut), before we rendezvoused for our anniversary dinner. We clanked sparkling cider (on-the-house) and shared excellent PNW fare. A visit to the enormous Powell’s books inspired another anniversary treat: a used Oxford English Dictionary, which is in the mail. The weekend continued with more food (excellent bakeries, two gelato visits, and more), symphony, and great hosts (neighbors-to-be?).

As Week 34 ended, we headed to PDX, but split ways—Miriam to OAK (three more interviews) and Yaron to JFK (six pounds of Oregon mushrooms in-hand)—a little sad our spectacular, rainy, delicious, and super-fun anniversary weekend had to end.

Will Miriam fall-in-love with UCSF all-over-again? Will she be wooed to Marin County? Will she bring back Tartine Bakery bread? For these answers and much more, check back for Week 35.

Week 33

muffinintheoven — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:53:55 +0000

This week had two particular highlights. Of late, Muffin has been breech, but sometime in the last week or so, probably during one of Miriam’s downward-dogs, he oriented himself vag-ward.

And, earlier in the week, Miriam was at Trader Joe’s, at the back of an endless line, snaking around the store. Suddenly, she was whisked to the front of the line, her basket carried for her. Miriam told the angel that she was accustomed to seat offerings on the subway, but never expected preferential treatment at the grocery store. We bet several women conceived that night, just for the VPP (Very Pregnant Person) line.