2010 March « Gemini Girl

Archive for March, 2010

Do they make Kosher for Passover Deep- Fried Oreos?

March 29, 2010 at 2:46 pm · Filed under Me

I am pooped folks. Pooped.

I get to play role of single mommy on Saturday’s. My husband works so I have to wrangle the kiddos all by myself. Which would be ok, if I had a backyard, or the weather was nice. Or we could go anywhere but stay in.

I literally had diaper explosions. I think both my kids caught some kind of bug.

It didn’t help that I left them in the living room for a few minutes to go to the restroom, and came back to see this:

I wasnt completely upset, as we will be leaving this apartment soon enough. I hope they got it all out of their systems as there is no way they can do this in my father-in-laws house.

**********

We took the girls to the circus yesterday. It was their first time. I kept telling them about the circus and everything we were going to see there. It’s so surprising when you repeat something over and over again, just how much your toddlers absorb. They already knew everything that we were going to see by showtime!

They were excited to see the elephants, and motorcycles. My husband is a big motorcycle fanatic (his brother is the same way) so he has been pointing out motorcycles to them since they were a month old. Now every time they see one, they point and get excited. His face lights up when they bring one to his attention.

Of course naturally, I got the kids dressed, ready and in the car by 9:15am for an 11am show… only to realize right before we started the car that the tickets I actually bought were for 3:15pm! Do you know the chaos it takes to get 2 toddlers fed, dressed and in the car? And to have to do it TWICE??!!

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The extra few hours gave me a chance to do some Passover cleaning. I am not one of those passover cleaning fanatics. I do what I can. I put away the non- kosher items in a cupboard that I scotch tape closed. We don’t eat anything non kosher for passover in our house- but my husband doesn’t keep the holiday at all (meaning he will eat bread, pasta etc) outside of the house. I am glad we have a middle ground somewhere. I know I can’t change him and he can’t change me.. but we respect one another and that is the most important. To learn more about Passover I am sending you over to Metalia who explains this holiday best!

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I started my progesterone shots yesterday. These needles are bad ass:

So I am feeling HORRIBLE today.. I decided to call Dr. Google to see what he had to say about progesterone shots and their side effects:

Bloating; breast tenderness; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fluid retention; headache; heartburn; irritability; muscle pain; nausea; stomach pain or cramping; tiredness; vomiting

Jealous?

I am feeling just about all of those symptoms. I am achy and tired and bloated and all I want is a deep-fried Oreo which I cant have since it’s Passover now (and I have never actually had one.. where would I acquire one?)

The needles are HUGE and the shots are painful.

And why does my husband seem so happy to administer them?

If this transfer does work, I would need to continue the progesterone injections for a few more weeks. The last time I did this, I had suppositories (which they don’t use anymore!) so I don’t remember feeling all of these symptoms.

Transfer is this week.

eek!

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Don’t Hate Me

March 24, 2010 at 3:19 pm · Filed under Me

Next week… I go in for my frozen transfer.

I am freaked out.

I am actually doing this again?

My estrogen enraged body will tell you that yes, indeed I am.

I have always wanted a big family.

4 children was my magic number.

When I found out that I was infertile, I was scared. Was I ever going to experience the joys of motherhood? Would I ever hear a child call me “Mommy”? Would I ever know what it was like to have to deal with a diaper LITERALLY exploding?

And then I was blessed.

With two little girls:

Neve & Soleil's Early Glamour Shots

I hope that I can make them big sisters one day soon…

But if I can’t, well… I will not cry.

Because at the end of the day, I am blessed.

At the end of the day, I have two little girls who run to the front door with hugs and kisses when they hear me come in after a long days work.

I’ve decided that I as much as I want to share with all of you the outcome of whether or not the frozen cycle is successful…I wont.. for a while.

In Judaism they say you should wait until after your first trimester is over before you announce your pregnancy.

So I will be doing just that.

If it does, or doesn’t work… I wont share until sometime in June. I know you hate me, but I need as much luck as I can get considering my last pregnancy wasn’t ideal.

I would like some fairy baby dust from all of you though.

Sending you all much love…

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ETSY WTH? Of The Day

March 23, 2010 at 1:00 am · Filed under ETSY WTH? of the Day

Today’s Etsy of the day is brought to you by Jeff Goldblum.

Jeff Goldblum Is Watching You Sleep Pillow

Do you know what that is?

That is a Jeff Goldblum pillow.

Not only is it an embroidered with Jeff’s beautiful face, the actual item is called:

Jeff Goldblum is Watching you Sleep Pillow

This is what the artist had to say:

“The idea to cross stitch Jeff Goldblum onto a frilly pillow came to me while watching The Fly with some friends, so I found a crazy eyed photo of Jeff Goldblum, and voila the Jeff Goldblum Is Watching You Sleep pillow was born! Cute and cuddly, made from pink fleece and white satin. Decorated with black and white lace, and four small pearl-like beads. The perfect pillow for anyone who ever dreamed of going to bed with Jeff Goldblum every night.”

No joke, if I ever had to wake up to that face staring back at me.. I would flip the fuck out.

This lovely conversation starter will set you back $40.00

You can buy it here!

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No Love for the Jew Fro

March 22, 2010 at 11:00 am · Filed under Me, Movie Monday

I have a few “Claim to Fames“

1. I was on a PBS special about kindergarten classes when I was 4. A camera crew dropped by my class and told us to act “Natural”- totally a HUGE feat for a very dramatic little girl.

2. When I lived in Israel at 16, they had a camera crew come to an event in school where they teach teens about safe sex. Of course, I was in the shots where they showed how to correctly put a condom on a banana. My mom got a call from her cousin that night and said to my mom “Did you know your daughter was on TV, with CONDOMS!”

3. At 17,I was stopped by a Spanish news station while walking the streets of Manhattan. I was asked to talk about “The Mask of Zorro” starring Antonio Banderas. Which I did… even though I hadn’t seen the film

4. I was an extra on Mad ABout You at the age of 18. If you blink, you would miss me. Totally got paid $50 a day. I was rolling in it.

5. At age 22, my sorority sister was cast in a reality make over show on MTV. It was called ”From Wack to Mack”..

yes. yes it was.

They made her over (which FYI she didn’t need it, since she was beautiful. she only made herself look like she needed a makeover to get on the show) and then they came to our sorority house to get her ‘sisters’ reactions. Of course, since I am loud, I was filmed the most. I wish there was evidence of this somewhere.

6. And now I leave you with this…

A makeover show for Busy Moms…

Last month I was asked if I would be interested in having a quick make over done (just make up) and have it filmed. You know, for busy moms such as myself. Never one to pass up a good time (and free make up squeal!) I decided to go for it.

The experience was quick and fun. You can buy Pixie make up from Target.. which btw the bronzer is AMAZING. They tried to do my hair, but didn’t have the time (story of my life). The only thing I was unhappy about was that they edited out when I referred to my hair as a “Jew-Fro”…

I hate seeing myself on camera, I REALLY REALLY DO (esp when it’s from an angle that you aren’t used to seeing. Oy)

and I was totally contemplating NOT posting it. But I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t. We have to accept ourselves from EVERY ANGLE.

So… here you go. Please don’t judge me and my zealous use of the word “absolutely”

Enjoy!

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Like I Need MORE Estrogen

March 19, 2010 at 11:39 am · Filed under The Man I Married

I have been taking Estrogen pills twice a day along with my ovulation suppressing medicine.

My body is going cuckoo.

I am literally happy one minute and crying the next. My husband calls me crazy.

He may not be wrong.

I don’t know just how much he wants me to go through this frozen cycle now, but it’s happening anyway.

He always goes along with things and then when something doesn’t work out he always says “well, I didn’t think we should do it in the first place. You forced me to” – then I proceed to tell him how I can’t force him to do anything that he does want to do since he is stronger than I am and MUCH crazier (underneath the sweet surface that the rest of the world sees). Plus he has a good 20 lbs on me (which isn’t much at all considering he has 4 inches on me too).

Oh, and he’s all muscle.

I am not.

Damn him.

Anyway.

He’s always the type to not make a definitive decision because he hates to make the wrong decision. So I ALWAYS make them (which then gives him someone to blame when something goes awry).

My decision-making totally feeds into my need to CONTROL everything (working on this in therapy as we speak). It’s a vicious cycle folks.

Take for example the time when we had to come up with TWO girls names.

I always liked the name Soleil to which he responded “Over my dead body”.

I told him I was naming at least one daughter Soleil (he shouldnt push me because I would name the other Soleil Squared)and he could name the second baby. I thought this was a good compromise.

He agreed, but NEVER brought a name to the table.

NOT ONE.

So when the time came, I said that either he was naming one or I would name them both. He told me to go ahead and name them both.

Which I gladly did.

Until this day he MISPRONOUNCES Soleil’s name 80% of the time. It’s pretty sad. Soleil is pronounced SOUL-AY. He pronounces it SOUL-EH. Which pisses me off. He even spells it SOUL-EH in hebrew… which will confuse everyone in Israel when we move. He needs to stick with the program.

I know that he wants another child. We love the idea of a big family.. and G-D bless him- he is an AMAZING father. I only wish my father could have been like him. I am not saying he’s perfect- because G-D knows that he is not the best husband around. You know, ‘the anti-birthday’ husband. The husband who gets jealous when I have a life outside the home. The husband who screams when he sees shopping bags (ok, maybe I am a *tad*at fault for that one).

But I do know that I would like no one else in this world to be the father of my children, because I know that they will always be loved and taken care of.

Every morning before he goes to work (at 6am) he wakes me up to give me a shot of Lupron. I am always sleeping when he administers the shot. It’s actually really funny. He rolls up my pj pant, rubs the alcohol wipe and sticks me with the needle. For all I know, there could be whiskey in there.

I know in his heart of hearts that he wouldn’t do any of that if he didn’t want another. The girls fill his life with joy.

He lost his mother at the age of 10 in a car accident. For so long, he didn’t have a woman in his life. When I go out without him (not including work) I think a part of him worries that I wont come home again. I don’t blame him, it’s something that is subconscious.

Not only does he now have me, he has two daughters. I always say that for years he didn’t have a feminine energy around him… and now ALL he has is feminine energy. It’s really funny if you think about it.

I just truly hope that we will be able to add another member to our family soon…. There’s always room for one more on the couch.

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When Irish Eyes are.. SUPER HOT

March 17, 2010 at 9:49 am · Filed under I get a vacation?

Seeing as though today is St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I may as well blog about my experience in IRELAND last month.

That’s right, last month we took a little trip to Ireland.

My first trip to Europe!

I booked the package back in June of last year, for a DIRT CHEAP price (go here!). You have to go during the off season, and pay months in advance to book the price that we did.

Months ago I told my aunt Shuli about my trip and she said she was going to join us. A while later she backed out because of an impending shotgun wedding (pg niece)- but decided to come anyway. Shuli along with my other aunt Effie (both are my mother’s sisters), made their way from Israel to Ireland.

Day #1

We all got into Dublin on a Friday morning at separate times, and off we went!

We rented a car, which of course was the only way to see the countryside but seeing as though my husband had never driven on the left side of the road, it was quite the adventure.. you know, hoping not to die.

He makes it look so easy

My cousin Shirley lives in Ireland. Shirley was born and raised in Israel, but while working in Ireland 2 summers ago, met Sean in a pub. One thing led to another, and now they live together in Ireland.

I wonder if meeting in a pub is the way most Irish folk find their potential mates?

Sean & Shirley invited us over to their apt for dinner. I think Shirley was so nervous that she was actually having family over (since this was the first time) that she ended up burning her dinner.

She ordered Chinese food instead.

Let me just say this… Irish Chinese Food… umm….well….

Moving on.

My Aunts who were originally supposed to stay by Shirley, decided against it last-minute(as she lived 30 minutes from Dublin and it would be a little out-of-the-way) so they hauled their suitcases to our hotel room. We were so worried that we were going to get caught by the hotel staff. It was like mission impossible.We had two beds so it was ok. The bed they slept on was a tiny twin bed. It was HYSTERICAL to watch them try and sleep on that thing!

***

Day #2

The following day we decided to make the 4 hour trek to the Cliffs of Moher. The views on the way there were BREATHTAKING.

We stopped every so often to take pictures

The best part about not going on a guided tour was being able to stop off in little towns and villages that are out-of-the-way. In my opinion, that’s where the real treasures are:

Once we arrived at the Cliffs…. I had no words.

It was a looong drive from the cliffs to Dublin, so my husband was pretty pooped by the time we got to the hotel (4 hours each way). We all had some dinner at the hotel restaurant .. which was surprisingly good (more on Irish food later).

***

Day #3

We made our way to a city named Athlon. The river Shannon runs through it, but since it was off- season, we couldn’t charter a boat. It was sad, but we still managed to enjoy ourselves.

We had a nice time after we realized that the shops opened at 12pm.

We met Shirley and Sean and had coffee with them.

Shirley, Me, My aunt Effie

Hubby & Sean

That night, we all went out to Temple Bar.

Temple Bar is an area in Dublin where all the pubs are located. There are MANY MANY pubs.

A lot.

A plethora.

Did I mention a lot?

anyway, we actually met up at a bar named “Temple Bar” in the area of ”Temple Bar” …creepy…

Temple Bar

Sean was hysterical. He decided to purchase green hats for all of us to wear to the bar. How could I refuse?

The Dream Team

of course, I drink a bud light. In ireland.

Effie

We then continued to bar hop throughout the night…

Irish Dancing

The band

We spent a few hours at the lovely Temple Bar and then went back home.. you know, after being verbally attacked by a Gypsy because we wouldn’t gve her any money.

***

Day #4

We decided to hop on a Dublin tour bus and do the tourist thing.

Dublin

First stop: We took one for the team (my aunt was dying to go) and went to the writers museum in Dublin.. which smelt of mold and potpourri.. wish I were joking.

Oh, and I am pretty sure it was haunted.

Next Stop: the Jameson Factory.. because how could you not?

Did a little gift shopping there, before heading to Trinity College:

This building totally reminded me of the building in Back to the Future

We then grabbed a quick lunch (which was surprisingly good)!

Fave Pic I took of my Aunt

And went to the Dublin Castle.. which wasn’t exactly what you would imagine a castle looking like (apparently the orginal burnt down in the 18th century)- but it was still quite the experience:

Fell in love with this light fixture

FYI our Tour Guide was a second rate Mr. Bean

Ceiling

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Things you should know about Ireland/ the Irish (if you decide to go):

1) Black Crows Everywhere!

which is VERY unsettling. They have NO FEAR of G-D at all. They wait right in your face for some food. They. Will. Not. Move.

Sup?

2) The Irish are SO NICE.

I am a New Yorker, and therefore not used to this. I was waiting for a hidden agenda… and there WAS NONE! (shocking I know!)

3) Irish men… OMG.

They are just BEAUTIFUL.

I truly had no words. My first boyfriend was half Irish/ half Italian. He was beautiful and tall. The men in Ireland make my ex look like a lemur.

I felt so badly checking out other men in front of my husband, but hey.. I’m not dead yet, am I?

My husband kept tellling me that guys were checking me out there too. Not surprising, since I dont “look” like everyone else there (you know, middle eastern).. I warned him that if he ever cheats on me or divorces me, I am buying a one way plane ticket to Ireland.

Where I would be appreciated.

Afro and all.

4) Why so many roundabouts?

OMG. I think the word round-about will haunt me in my dreams for the next few months. There were THOUSANDS of them on the road. Luckily for us, we were smart enough to get a car with a GPS. But hearing the GPS say roundabout every 2 minutes, almost made our heads explode.

5) Malls close at 6:30pm!??

No joke. We wanted to do a wee bit of shopping – to have the full mall experience in Ireland.

No dice.

Once the sun goes down, the malls close!

My theory was that they close the stores so that everyone will be able to get to the pubs. This isn’t me making assumptions, this is me making an assumption along with my cousin’s Irish boyfriend.

6) Irish Food…

OK, I dont want to badmouth ALL Irish food… just the meals that I had the “pleasure” to eat. or to order. Not eat. I had to send food back. CONSTANTLY (and because the Irish are so nice, I am sure they didnt spit in my food. Well, at least I hope not)

I did have a surprisingly good meal once or twice… but for the most part.. i lost 3lbs in 4 days! Thanks Ireland!

***

All in all, I had an AMAZING trip. The fact that I got to spend a few days with my husband (sans kids) and my favorite aunts was so great.

I looked like this by the end of the trip:

I would totally recommend Ireland to anyone.

Oh… and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!

Don't ye dare steal me pot of gold!

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Etsy WTH? of the Day

March 16, 2010 at 1:00 am · Filed under ETSY WTH? of the Day

Often, I browse through the website ETSY.

I adore it.

Handmade, one of a kind products.

If you are ever looking for an amazing gift, look no further than this website.

On rare occasions, as I surf the site, I come across something that will stop me in my tracks.

Today, it is this:

Blue Willow the Sleepy Snail - Original Sculpture

This is something that nightmares are made of my friends.

My nightmares.

But wait… it gets better.

The artist has this to say about the product:

Blue Willow the Sleepy Snail

“Blue willow is made from a giant snail shell, old porcelain doll head, clay and raccoon penis bones for antennas. She has turquoise blue flocking for body.

She is approximately 7 inches long, 7.5 inches tall and 3.5 inches deep.

She is an original, one-of-a-kind sculpture.”

OMG- Raccoon penis bones?!

Where does one go to purchase Raccoon penis bones?

Local market?

If you are interested.. you can find it here.

She will set you back about $42.99

Yes…. $42.99

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Me and My Thumb

March 15, 2010 at 1:11 am · Filed under My daughters

When I was a baby, I found comfort in my right thumb.

My mother would try and place a pacifier in my mouth, but I would spit it out and find solace in my prune-like finger.

I remember that there was nothing in the world that could make it all better… like my thumb.

When I turned 7, and my two front teeth feel out- I was told that if I kept sucking my thumb, my permanent teeth would grow in crooked.

So I stopped.

I dont know why it was so easy for me to stop, it was just the right time I guess.

Sadly for me, it was already too late. By the time you are 3, the bridge of your mouth is already effected by thumb-sucking.

I had a gap between my two front teeth that would put David Letterman to shame.

Anyway.

So you could imagine my surprise when Soleil was a baby and found her own solace in her thumb.

Her left thumb.

I find it fascinating that not only does she look SO much like I did as a child, she also sucks her thumb just like I did.

I know that it’s not going to be great for her teeth in the future… but I also know that there is nothing that will come between a girl and her thumb.

Now…. Neve needing to place her blankie in her mouth in order to sleep?

… no idea where that came from!!

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Poor Froggy

March 11, 2010 at 10:25 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

I started my Lupron shots last week.

Lupron shots are given to suppress your body from ovulating (since the clinic needs to manipulate the environment).

The shots are making me a bit crazy and cranky.

Not like I need an excuse, eh?

I am getting my body ready for a baby who has been frozen in time and space.

The funny thing is, every time the girls are at their MOST ANNOYING, my husband looks at me and says “So, you REALLLY want another now, huh?” and I laugh and say that G-D is testing me to see if I really do want another.

Which I do.

We are slowly introducing the girls to Mr. Potty.

Their potties are green and shaped like a frog.

You're going to do what in my where?

I wonder if when they get older, they will feel the need to “go” whenever they see a frog.

I bought 2 of the same potties.

I learnt to do this when I saw an episode of the now ill-fated life of Jon & Kate. Kate was trying to potty train her kids, and they would fight about a specific color of potty. She said that she should have bought them all in the same color.

I made a mental note when I saw that.

So, they are excited about the actual potty, but not going in it per se.