My husband reminded me today that the whole point of having *things* is sharing — and that even includes milk, so I’m going to share yet another miracle and offer what extra I have.
When Milli was born 2 weeks ago the doctors told me it would be unlikely my body would make breastmilk. Losing all my blood volume and most of my milk hormone-producing organs would definitely stand in my way. This was crushing for me as I had breastfed all four prior children, and the NICU told me my baby was hooked up to dozens of machines and unable to process formula well. I begged nurses to pump me every two hours while I was still strapped to the ICU bed because physical pain is nothing compared to knowing you can’t do anything for your baby — hold her, sing to her, or even feed her something her body will tolerate.
By day 6 there was still no milk and nurses were routinely telling me it was “okay” and I “tried.” I closed my eyes to pray and ask for one more miracle, a miracle every doctor and nurse seemed to think was beyond unlikely — milk. A few hours later I woke in the middle of the night totally engorged in that hospital room. Not just some milk. Lots of milk. Enough milk for more than one baby.
So here I am, still in the nicu every day, grateful I got so many miracles, and eager to share.
If your baby is in one of the Mount Sinai NICU areas in NYC and needs milk, I’d like to pay it forward and share with you. If your baby is outside the Mount Sinai network, I can see how the extra milk can be transferred. This may be especially pertinent for new moms who keep kosher (there are pretty specific Jewish laws around donor breast milk), but I’m open to sharing with any baby/mom in need of any background or persuasion.
Feel free to PM/share if you know someone looking for kosher milk! If not, today is a good day to count your blessings. 💕
My husband reminded me today that the whole point of having *things* is sharing — and that even includes milk, so I’m going to share yet another miracle and offer what extra I have. When Milli was born 2 weeks ago the doctors told me it would be unlikely my body would make breastmilk. Losing all my blood volume and most of my milk hormone-producing organs would definitely stand in my way. This was crushing for me as I had breastfed all four prior children, and the NICU told me my baby was hooked up to dozens of machines and unable to process formula well. I begged nurses to pump me every two hours while I was still strapped to the ICU bed because physical pain is nothing compared to knowing you can’t do anything for your baby — hold her, sing to her, or even feed her something her body will tolerate. By day 6 there was still no milk and nurses were routinely telling me it was “okay” and I “tried.” I closed my eyes to pray and ask for one more miracle, a miracle every doctor and nurse seemed to think was beyond unlikely — milk. A few hours later I woke in the middle of the night totally engorged in that hospital room. Not just some milk. Lots of milk. Enough milk for more than one baby. So here I am, still in the nicu every day, grateful I got so many miracles, and eager to share. If your baby is in one of the Mount Sinai NICU areas in NYC and needs milk, I’d like to pay it forward and share with you. If your baby is outside the Mount Sinai network, I can see how the extra milk can be transferred. This may be especially pertinent for new moms who keep kosher (there are pretty specific Jewish laws around donor breast milk), but I’m open to sharing with any baby/mom in need of any background or persuasion. Feel free to PM/share if you know someone looking for kosher milk! If not, today is a good day to count your blessings. 💕
This #NICU journey has only been 10 days so far, and will continue — but it’s taught me more about what matters than I ever expected. An ounce of weight gained on Milli feels like millions of dollars in my emotional pocket, and getting to hold her (this week was the first time I was really allowed to) felt like hitting a love jackpot. To all the other NICU parents out there, I see you and pray for you. Holding her has been my best medicine so far, and I’m so excited for refills. To all my friends, Shabbat shalom, I wish you a restful and peaceful weekend, and a heart as full of love as mine is right now.
Please meet Milli Malkah, a true queen at only 3 pounds. We walked through hell and back on Tuesday to get to this moment, but we are both survivors of #placentaaccreta, and excited to be here on this earth. I lost every ounce of blood in my body and then some, so if you were one of the hundreds of people who donated their best red cells to keep us alive — THANK YOU. Milli (pronounced me-li) is Hebrew for “who is for me?” After standing on the edge of death, I can say with certainty, it’s God. Malkah means queen, and that’s exactly what this feisty little girl is going to be. I lost a few of my favorite organs in this birth, so this will be my last biological child, but somehow without a variety of my parts, I’ve never felt more complete. And now for a nap.
I’ve been looking for inspiration in all the wrong places. My 10 year old in his karate studio’s ad campaign is really all I need. May we all be blessed with fierce #Benergy. 🥋✔️
If you’re not as ready for 2019 as my 2 year old is for pizza, are you even really living?
Bumped over to the new @birchbox store at @walgreens in soho and was SO impressed! I went in thinking I’d get my regular drugstore favs and left with arms full of face masks and dry shampoo (they have oodles of full-size products organized by type, and even oodles of sample sizes at the BYOB counter... #heaven). If you’re in the NYC area you NEED TO GO ASAP! It’s worth it! I hit the one at 60 Spring Street, but you can also hit the Financial District and Williamsburg locations too:) #birchboxatwalgreens #ad PS I’ll be seriously impressed if you can guess which brands I picked!
Can we talk about how in love with Rivkah’s new @appaman coat I am? I desperately want one, but recognize I’d be a giant walking disco ball if they made it in a maternity cut.
It’s the 2nd night of #chanukah, and I’m feeling all the nostalgia so I’m posting this 1991 Chanukah throwback from a #latkes making class at Temple Beth Shalom (obvi, where else?). Join me in spreading some miracles and light by uploading your #TBChanukah pics and tagging @jewishtreats (and me so I can see your cute face and comment). Make sure you use the #TBChanukah tag 🕎 Also, does anyone recognize the jersey girls sitting to my left and right? Tag them if so! Nominating @alywalansky @rouge_18 @sarah_lasry @linz.ho @lily17095 @sophie_gruber @heather.b.hopkins to post next! PS I partnered with @jewishtreats on this because latkes = light, right?
Georgian friends, can one of you just move in with me so we can eat #khachapuri together all day, every day? For my non-kebab country friends, this is basically the best bread dough ever filled with savory melted cheese and farm-raised eggs. It’s like a pizza boat that’s been kissed by angels. If you’re Georgian, please raise your hand. Or, if you’re in NYC and have a fave khachapuri restaurant, I’m open to suggestions.
Needed to disconnect this weekend from all sorts of external stress, but especially the internal kind (yesterday’s #worldprematurityday really got to me as that’s now a reality I have set in stone for my little one). Asked my hubby to help me cheat on my bed rest Rx by driving me to my fave thinking spot at dawn, and it did wonders for my soul. Fresh air and quiet can help reset the mind, I think. I’m feeling a bit recharged and back in mom-warrior mode, so let’s talk happy things, shall we? Tell me all your favorite baby names — boy, girl, or gender neutral 💕 PS yes, I’m wearing Yossef’s coat — none of mine fit right now 🤷🏻♀️
Pro parenting tip: if 3 out of your 4 kids have birthdays within a few weeks of each other, combine them, and make yourself 87% less crazy! But seriously, Rivkah’s 6th, Avi’s 5th, and David’s 2nd pizza and face painting party was a success. Also, I have no idea how elementary school teachers do this every day. YOU ARE ALL SAINTS. And now I’m off to bed rest! PS Rivkah’s @pippaandjulie x Disney dress should come in adult sizes bc I want one too
I went to Butterflake in NJ today to pick up some treats for the teens of @newyorkhebrew and discovered CHURROS LAYER CAKES EXIST. Also, I just realized my feed is quickly becoming a tribute page to Mexican desserts. 🍰 PS I didn’t buy it but I plan to fantasize about it for the rest of time