The past week has been beautiful, stressful, hectic, soothing...which pretty much sums up parenthood. Our family help has been phenomenal (thank you Aunt mei mei, nana, Zaide, Bubbe, etc) and we are very lucky to have the support of our community in such an important time of our lives.
The bris was today (pictures can be found here) and was great. If any of you happen to live near us and want to eat for a month, let us know. Food abounds. Ethan had a little trouble sharing the spotlight ("Abba, hold me! Don't hold the baby!") but eventually was his cute self. Even after the baby was officially named, when asked what his brother's name was, he retorted: "I can't tell you. It's a secret."
Without getting too sappy, we have named him Ami (, pronounced "Ah-mee", or"my nation" in hebrew) as a symbol of both my and Shaina's commitment to the Jewish community and to the Jewish people. His middle name, Gabriel, is a tribute to Shaina's late grandmother, Goldie/Gail Katzoff.
We are beginning to remember what it is like not to sleep. I'm actually dumbfounded that I'm sitting here writing this when I should be catching another 20 minutes.
Ami is a stunning little boy. He is very well behaved, and is a huge eater and pooper. Yup, he's a Sugar.
At 1:54 PM on May 5th, 2009, Shaina and I welcomed our second beautiful and healthy son to this world. Baby Boy Sugar #2 shares the distinction of a May birthday with numerous other family members in the Sugar/Katzoff clan, including the same birthday as his uncle Bryan.
At 7 pounds, 11 ounces, he has a full head of blonde hair and blue eyes just like his older brother did.
We went to the hospital on Monday evening, as Shaina complained of pain - despite us planning to be induced the very next morning at 8 AM. While the first dozen or so hours of labor were pretty boring, things sped up quickly, and we have G-d to thank for yet another handsome little addition to the Sugar clan. Lutheran staff, nurses, physicians were all phenomenal. Shaina got the epidural right away this time and it made all the difference in the world. Shaina and I laughed so much during this birth that the laughter itself nearly pushed the baby out! Mom and baby are doing just great, and will come home Thursday.
Shalom Zachor will be at our home on Friday evening, 9:15 PM.
Bris will be May 12th, Tuesday - Lag B'Omer. at Skokie Valley Synagogue, 7:15 AM.
Quote of the day goes to Big Brother Ethan, upon meeting his new sibling: "He looks like a tomato! He's all red!" Ethan is doing great, and is having a blast with all the presents and attention he's been getting!
