Night 2

Tonight is the second night of Hanukkah, but we actually started lighting candles last Saturday. I leave for Israel on Sunday as part of my graduate program, so I’m missing the latter half of Hanukkah, which upset me until one of my dear friends and classmates suggested I start early. So, after lighting candles for the second/sixth night, I gave her a bath, changed her into Hanukkah pajamas, and fed her until she fell asleep. 

I have mixed feelings about going to Israel. I’m always excited to go back, but now I have my sweet girl and I feel a lot of guilt for missing this time with her. I know she’ll be just fine and, more importantly, she’s surrounded by lots of people who love her, especially her papa. I look forward to taking her to Israel when she’s older, hopefully as part of a family trip. 

Lately I’ve been spending more time watching Eliza’s sweet face as she falls asleep. It’s unbelievable to me that I helped make this remarkable little human. I love her so much and just want to give her the world. She’s properly crawling now and intent on exploring. It’s the best part of my day when I can watch her blaze her own little trail, whether it’s from one side of the room to the other or trying to keep up with Maxine or her siblings or papa. She and her siblings are my Hanukkah miracles and blessings, along with Stephen. What an amazing change from this time two years ago.