So, here we are in New York! We’ve been busy with baby namings, beach time and, most important, family time. Here’s what Steven, Samuel and Amaya have been up to for the past few days.
A long awaited moment was seeing Charlie with her baby cousin, Amaya, and it didn’t disappoint. She calls Amaya Papaya, “Amaya Capaya” and is generally enthralled with her baby girl cousin. Charlie doesn’t have much use for the boys yet though she did tell us that she likes boys in helmets.
<3 x infinity.
Here are my kids lined up to eat but do you notice the 4th baby (doll) that Charlie is diligently feeding? I’m pretty sure this is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.
Chase got into the action, too. Right now, Sammy is his favorite because Sammy has big, big smiles for Chase.
The main event of our visit home was the Jewish baby naming ceremony for Steven, Sammy and Amaya. Here are some highlights.
Family photo before the party got started.
Team Goldberg (minus Chase, plus Amaya)
Great Uncle Josh (aka Dod Shuki) with Sammy
(Great grandma) Savta Kerry with Steven
Great Uncle Bob meeting Amaya
Back in middle school when we met, I’m pretty sure Vidya and I never pictured this moment.
The babies were AMAZING all day. Amaya was happy to be held by anyone interested as long as they didn’t make her sit down. Steven and Sammy were also total champs. Sammy was so charming he wore himself out.
The actual ceremony was conducted by Dr. Dorothy Greenbaum, who also did Chase’s bris. She was very thoughtful about holding a ceremony in line with our family values and beliefs.
Uncle Austin was Amaya’s caretaker. Best buds!
Chase got in on the action, too.
Savta kicked everything off with a moving sentiment about my grandfather, Saba Bob. It really is amazing to think about the generations of individuals who were responsible for helping us get to this exact moment.
Nana and Papa doing a reading.
Lighting a candle for each baby.
Great Uncles Arnie and Bob doing the blessing over the wine.
The actual giving of the Hebrew names.
And they are:
And with my sweet Amaya.
A highlight of the day was the opportunity to get a photo of Savta Kerry with her grandchildren and NINE great grandchildren. What an incredible moment.
And that was the baby naming. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special! Now we’re on to every day visiting! Jason went back to Detroit on Sunday and I’m staying here through Friday. (We miss you, daddy!)
Here is the setup in my CHILDHOOD BEDROOM. (My dad did all of that upholstery.)
This was my room from the time I was about 2 years old until I left for college. (Hahaha. Kidding. It’s still my room. Other people just use it while I’m not there.)
Sammy. Because he was being adorable.
Here’s Nana with her 2 granddaughters.
Hanging out with the Goldbergs, just days before they move out of this house that I visited so frequently for 5+ years.
Nana cuddling with Steven. (Those digits by his mouth are his feet. OMG he’s a flexible mush ball.)
Sara and I, hanging out with our kids!
So, last night, we heard Sammy scream in his crib. My mom went up and found this. Poor Sammy!
So he got some on the spot new PJs. Dinosaurs and Amaya’s pink leggings are a perfect combo.
Today we planned a beach day. Auntie (Anita) came over early and helped feed the kiddos.
And then we were off! It was a gorgeous day and Steven, Samuel and Amaya’s first trip to the beach! Again, they did great. They ate well and played well. (Though, they didn’t nap as well as I’d have liked. I think we did too good a job teaching them to nap in their cribs. 🙂 )
Snuggle time with Steven.
Amaya is first in a pool! Our little adventurer loved it.
Those are our NY adventures so far! I’ll leave you with one more photo of a tired but beach satisfied Sammy.
