It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Dear Sweet Kosta,

I cannot believe it is already December and you are 9 months old!  My how time flies.  You are the sweetest, funniest, cutest baby in the whole world.  I could not have asked for a better baby.  Your personality is really starting to show now and it's the best!

You laugh all the time, which is the sweetest thing I have ever heard - you crack yourself up.  Your giggles make anyone and everyone smile.  You are such a blessing to our family, especially to me and your daddy.

We have finally transitioned you into your crib.  You still wake up at least once in the middle of the night, but you are sleeping so much better than before.

You have figured out when it is time for bed because when I bring you upstairs at night you start to whine a little bit like "Noooo I'm not ready to go to sleep yet!".  When we first started putting you in your crib, I would rock you to sleep within 5 minutes. Now that you know what is coming, you try so hard to stay up.

You normally take two naps during the day, but your schedule has been a little mixed up since our trip to Charleston for Thanksgiving (I will talk more about your first Thanksgiving in a second).

Your sleep schedule is normally like this (but lately I don't know what's up):

7:00 am - Wake up/play

9:30-10:00 am - Down for a nap

11:30 am-12:00 pm - Wake up for lunch/play

3:30 pm - Down for your second nap

5:30 pm - Wake up for dinner/play

8:30 pm - Bedtime

We are working on getting you back into this routine, but I think separation anxiety is really starting to kick in so it has been tough.

Well...back to your first Thanksgiving!  Every Thanksgiving we go to the Leventis Family Reunion - we see family, eat good food, play games, and have a great time.  This year, you and a few other new babies were the focus of the reunion, which was so sweet.  Everyone LOVED meeting you!

Here are some pictures from the reunion:

You were worn out after our trip to Charleston, but you had so much fun; especially on Thanksgiving day when you got to crawl around the whole ballroom making everyone giggle.

Well, like I mentioned, you are 9 months old!  We had your 9 month check up yesterday, which went amazing of course :)  The only negatives from the appointment were the Hepatitis and flu shots.

Here are your stats as of 12/5/12:

Age: 9 Months

Height: 28.75 inches

Weight: 20 lbs 8 oz

Head Circumference: 44.5 cm

The doctor was extremely pleased with the way you are growing, which made Mommy very happy.  You can now eat peanut butter and eggs as well as have a little bit of whole milk.  We are supposed to start practicing drinking out of a cup three times a day.  The doctor wants you to drink around 16 oz of milk a day as well as start eating more table foods.

You LOVE eating "adult" food.  Anytime Mommy and Daddy are eating you crawl over asking for whatever we have.  It is the sweetest thing.  Of course we share our food and you love it.  

You got to try Panettone for the first time, which is a sweet bread with raisins and other fruits.  It is a Peruvian tradition to eat Panettone around Christmas time, which is something that your Daddy and his family do every year.

Here's a picture of you eating Panettone with Daddy for the first time:

You are getting so big and strong! Not only are you crawling everywhere, you are pulling up on all of the furniture.  You can stand up by yourself, but can't walk just yet.  You hold on to the coffee table and walk around it. You are fearless - sometimes you let go and stand for a second and then plop down on your behind.

I can and cannot wait for you to walk!  The reason I can wait is because once you can walk it will be like you are not my little itty bitty baby anymore.  The reason I cannot wait is because I am so excited for you to hit your next milestones.  I love watching you grow, but I also wish I could hold on to this time a little longer.

Well, Christmas is almost here - only 19 more days until Christmas Day!  Your daddy and I have gone completely overboard on gifts for your first Christmas!  I know you will be more interested in the boxes and wrapping paper, but I know you will love to look back when you get older and see what you got.

By the way..you are such a trooper!  I dressed you up in your little Christmas outfit and took pictures of you the other day and you did so well.  You got to try your first candy cane, which was too cute because the peppermint was a little spicy.  But you loved it!

Here are some pictures from our Christmas photo shoot:

Well, you just woke up from your nap so I am guessing you are ready for dinner!  

Mommy and Daddy love you so so much sweet boy.

Love Always,

Mommy

PS - I will update the blog with all the awesome presents you get for Christmas! 

October's Almost Over Already??

I know, I know, I know what you're thinking...Wow Steph, you've been a liiiittle slack updating your blog!  Well, here it goes...I will try to update you all on the last 2 and a half (almost 3) months.

First, I cannot believe my little munchkin baby is almost 8 months old! I know I say it in every post, but it is amazing how time is flying by so quickly.  I wish I could slow it down to enjoy this time a little more, but I am anxious and excited for our future.

Well, I don't have my calendar handy at the moment so this update will have to be a summary without exact dates.

Kosta's six-month check up went extremely well.  His weight, height, and head circumference are right on track (I will come back and add the exact amounts).  The doctor told us to start adding meat to Kosta's diet and that it was OK to give him a baby cookie or some puffs every once in a while.

I was so excited that Kosta was allowed to try new things so I immediately went shopping for some baby cookies, puffs, and some meat!  I tried making the meat myself since I make his fruits and vegetables, but I haven't been successful getting the meat to the right consistency.

Anyway, Kosta loves food to say the least.  He makes this funny little grunting noise when it's time to eat because he gets so excited about it.  I will have to get a video next time and add it to the blog!

A lot has happened in the last 3 months.  Kosta has started crawling, sitting up by himself, and also pulling up on EVERYTHING!  I run around the house all day long chasing after that sweet baby - he's so fast! One second I see him and the next he disappears!

Here are some pictures of him standing up:

Also, we went on our first trip as a family to Folly Beach!  Kosta LOVED the beach.  He tried eating sand, which he found out very quickly doesn't taste good...but he still kept trying to eat it!

Here are some pictures from our trip:

**This post may sound crazy because so much has happened that I forget the order of events..so just bear with me!**

Well, we just moved into our new house (its a rental) and we love it!  It's in Carylye Pointe, which is so close to where I grew up.  It's the perfect little neighborhood for me, Rudy, Gamma, and Kosta.  There are children everywhere here, which I love.

Our days are spent mostly like this:

7:30 am - wake up / bottle / eat cereal, fruit / play

9:30 am - nap

11:30 am - wake up / play / eat veggies, fruit / bottle / play some more

3:00 pm - bottle / nap

4:30 pm - wake up / play play play/ people watch outside (he loves seeing kids run up and down the street)

6:00 pm - eat veggies, fruit, meat / play some more till Daddy gets home / bath time

8:00 pm - bottle / start winding down

8:45 pm - bedtime

Let me just say, I would love it if I could say Kosta sleeps all night, but he doesn't. Rudy and I have had the hardest time transitioning him into his crib at night time.  One week after the other something always comes up (we moved, he got sick, etc).

He sleeps like a champ in his crib for nap time, but at night he will not stay asleep.  Any suggestions from Mommies out there?!

Anyway, he still wakes up about 3 or 4 times a night.  He cries because he doesn't want to be up.  The only way to really calm him back down is to give him some milk and then he falls back to sleep.

I have made it my goal to get him in his crib at night starting next week (or as soon as his cold goes away)!

We've hit another big milestone and special event.  Kosta's baptism!  It was on October 20, 2012.  It was so special and such an amazing day.  Kosta's Godparents are Drew (brother), Jason (brother), and Elizabeth (sister-in-law).  They did an awesome job keeping Kosta as calm as possible throughout the whole ceremony.

The only time Kosta got upset was when they started putting the Holy Oil all over him, but he had the sweetest baby cry so it didn't even matter!  After the ceremony everyone kept coming up to me and Rudy asking us "How did you train him to have such a sweet cry??"  We thought that was hilarious because he doesn't always cry like that.

**I will try to post some of the video on here later of his baptism**

Here are some pictures from the baptism:

Rudy didn't get the memo to smile! Ha ha.

Well, in the spirit of Halloween I took some sweet pictures of my baby!  I hollowed out a giant pumpkin and wrote "Kosta's First Halloween" on it so he can look back and see that he was small enough to fit in a pumpkin at 7 months.

Here are the pictures!

 

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Ok...So I started this post right after July 4th, but I am just now getting back to it to finish the post.  Here's what I had before I got side-tracked:

Holy moly time is flying by so quickly.  Kosta is already FOUR months old!!  He turned 4 months on the 4th of July!  What a great way to celebrate :)

Here's a picture from his first 4th:

The day after the 4th of July we had Kosta's four-month check-up.  He's getting so big!  Here are his stats:

Height: 26.25 in. = 90th percentile

Weight: 15 lbs 13 oz = 65th percentile

Head: 65th percentile

The doctor said he's a very healthy baby - he was very happy with Kosta's height and weight.  Little munchkin is growing like a weed!

________________________________________________________________

It is now July 30, 2012 and I am finally finishing this post.

Dear Sweet Kosta,

You are 5 days away from being 5 MONTHS OLD!  I just can't believe it.  A lot has happened in the last month.

You are now eating solids!  The doctor gave us the "go ahead" for cereal and fruits at your 4-month check-up.  We started with one week of cereal and then the next week we started to add fruits.  We have the amazing Baby Bullet, which allows me to make all of your food.  I love that I can buy fruits for all of us and make your little meals instead of buying the Gerber jars of fruit.

Here's a picture of the Baby Bullet:

You love your fruits.  You've tried apples, pears, peaches, and bananas.  Next we're on to yellow vegetables.  I hope you love your veggies as much as you love fruits.

Here are a few pictures of you eating your first solids:

Your personality is really starting to show nowadays.  You're such a happy, giggly little munchkin.  You get so tickled and it's hard for you to stop laughing, which makes everyone laugh.

You have figured out how to entertain yourself, which is very helpful so Mommy can get some things done.  For instance, you talk to the refrigerator while I make your cereal and fruits. Your conversation with the refrigerator consists of a lot of squealing and giggling.  I wish I could know what you are thinking :)

You're also learning that if you throw your toys on the floor we have to pick them up and give them back to you so now you're making a game of it, which is really funny.

I'm pretty sure you a tooth is starting to come in on the bottom.  There is this little white point, which I believe is a tooth.  You're my little drooly-pants.  I never thought a baby could drool this much! Ha ha.  You soak your clothes with drool within minutes - I am debating on whether or not to keep a bib on you permanently - just kidding ;)

Papou (Granddaddy) came home to visit this month.  You love your Papou lots and he loves you just as much!  Papou and I went on a Kosta shopping spree while he was here.  He bought you lots of new teethers, toys, and other goodies.  He also bought you a bunch of Baby Genius CDs/DVDs, which you love!

Here are a few pictures of you watching your Baby Genius DVDs:

You love electronics - cell phones, laptops, ipads, ipods, remote controls, etc.  You get fussy if we take them away from you.  You'll probably be a computer geek like me.  Your Daddy always jokes that I was born with a laptop so I guess you take after me.

We bought you a toy cell phone thinking you would enjoy it, but you totally know it's not real!  Papou gave us his iPad so that we can download apps and play on it when you get a little older - he's the best.  I still need to buy a drool/drop protector so we don't ruin it :)

You are such a joy to be around.  You bring everyone so much happiness.  It is amazing how you have the ability to melt someone's heart immediately with your sweet smiles and giggles.

I love you so much more than words can explain.

Mommy

2 to 4 Months

My Sweet Kosta,

Wow, time has flown by.  I feel like I blinked one time and now you are about to be 4 months old!  I cannot believe how much you are growing every single day.  It seems like just yesterday we were putting newborn baby diapers on you, and now we are putting size THREE diapers on you!

I wish I could slow down this time in our lives so we can enjoy you being this small for a while, but then again I cannot wait to see how you grow!

The past two months you have learned to do so many new things - it is amazing.  Here are some of the things you can do now:

• Reach out for your toys and put them in your mouth
• Roll over from your tummy to your back - 5/26/12

• Roll over from your back to your tummy - you just accomplished this today! 6/26/12
• We don't have a video yet..but as soon as I do, I will post it!

Side note: ** I just realized that you rolled over from your back to your tummy exactly ONE MONTH from when you rolled over from your tummy to your back - You are amazing! **

• You are learning your name! You immediately respond when someone says "Kosta" - you look right at them.
• You laugh all the time - anything and everything seems to crack you up, which I love!

You are changing so much.  Some days I think you look more like me and other days you look just like your Daddy.  If I look directly at you, I think you look like me, but your profile is definitely your Daddy's.

Here's a picture of you at around 2 months old:

Here's a picture of you at around 3 months old:

Here's a picture of you at almost 4 months old:

Well, you are almost 4 months now - just 8 more days and you'll be 4 months! (July 4, 2012 - Independence Day)  

We have your four-month well check-up on July 5th - I'm not looking forward to it because I think they will be giving you more shots, and it hurts Mommy to see you in pain :(  But you are so tough and I know you'll be just fine!

Well, you still haven't developed a set schedule for eating, sleeping, and playing, but I am sure we will get on a routine soon.  We're trying to help you get on a routine by taking you on a walk in the morning, then putting you down for a nap.  However, our walks seem to start at different times int he morning.  

Then at 6 PM we give you a bath and after Mommy gives you a baby massage, which you love!  As soon as Mommy turns on your Baby Einstein playlist, you know it's time for your bath and massage - you start kicking your feet and cooing immediately.

Here are some pictures from last night's bath time and massage:

Right after bath time

Waiting for your massage and listening to your music

And this is you telling Mommy to stop taking pictures and get back to work - ha ha :)

Well, you just woke up a little late from your nap so I guess you'll be getting a 7:30 PM bath and massage. 

I love you so so much Kosta!  You continue to amaze me every single day.

Love Always,

Mommy

Ouchie!

Dear Sweet Kosta,

Yesterday was your "two-month" check-up (it was a little over a week earlier than it was supposed to be.)    I was so sad all day because I knew I would have to take you to your appointment at 1:40 PM and you would be getting your vaccinations.  However, I was extremely excited to find out how much you have grown since you were born.

Here are your measurements at 7 weeks and 3 days old on April 25, 2012:

Height: 23 1/2 inches (90 percentile)

Weight: 12 lbs. 11 oz. (75 percentile)

Head: 38 1/2 cm. (55 percentile)

You are growing up so fast - it's amazing.  I do wish you would slow down just a bit so I can enjoy you being this small, but then again I can't wait to see you walk and talk!

On to the sad part...the shots!  Gamma tried to prepare me for your shots, but it was impossible to be prepared.  Daddy was holding you when it was time for your shots.

First, the nurse gave you the polio vaccine.  You loved that one because it was a liquid that you had to drink.  I think it was sweet or something because you just sucked it down like a happy little boy.

Then it was time for your shots. Daddy held on to your little hands while the nurse gave you 3 shots - two in one leg and one in the other leg.  I stood behind Daddy watching you from over his shoulder.

You cried a cry I have never heard before because it was a cry of real pain.  I burst into tears immediately (I am crying again just thinking/writing about it).  Daddy said you squeezed his hands real tight when the mean nurse gave you your shots.  It took a little while to calm you down, but it took even longer to calm me down!  You were so brave though.  As soon as we got back into the car you were content.

Here is a picture of Daddy trying to cheer you up when we got back home...Daddy is the BEST and he loves you more than anything:

See your little boo-boos? :(

When we got home you were a little fussy.  I think because your legs were sore from the shots.  We could tell all you wanted to do was sleep so we immediately put you in your PJs.  You were worn out after your doctor's appointment and pretty much slept the rest of the day.

See how worn out you were:

By the way, you love sleeping in your Daddy's arm pit.  I'm not sure why, but you always bury your little face there!  :)

Anyway, today was definitely a better day than yesterday.  You're still pretty worn out from your shots, but you seem to be a lot happier.

Here are a few updates from the past month:

-You are really starting to smile and recognize everyone

-You are starting to giggle a lot and not just in your sleep!

-You giggle A LOT when Uncle Drew (Tio Andres) talks to you..he's so silly!

-You can hold and shake your rattle now - it makes you really happy

-You LOVE trying to stand up...your little legs are so strong

-You get the hiccups all the time and you hate them...luckily you don't have them 3 or 4 times a day like you did when you were inside my tummy

-You prefer sleeping on your tummy...but you have to sleep on your back a night, which makes you a little fussy (you're sleeping on your tummy right now as I type)

-You still don't have a set "schedule" of when you eat and sleep...however, you do sleep most during the day

-You LOVE hanging out with Gamma...especially when she takes you for a walk around her garden

Here's a picture of you in Gamma's arms today (4/26/12)

Gamma has the magic touch and can get you to fall asleep in a heartbeat.  I told her today that she must be the "baby whisperer" because you always fall asleep in her arms.

-You finally got to meet Papou (Grandpa) on April 25, 2012.  He works in Saudi Arabia and only gets to come home every 3 months.  We've talked to him a few times on skype so he could see you, but this was the first time he got to see you in person.

Well, it is starting to storm and you're starting to wake up (I think because of the thunder).  

Daddy and I love you so so much sweetie.

Love,

Mommy

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

Christ is risen! Truly he is risen!

Today is a day for many celebrations.

First, we are celebrating Kosta's first Greek Orthodox Easter.  Greek Orthodox Easter tends to fall on a different date than Western Easter because of three very important reasons: (1) Greek Orthodox Easter is based on the Julian calendar, (2) it must fall after Jewish Passover, and (3) it must be on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox.

Here's a picture of Kosta and his first Easter basket:

Also, since Kosta's Papou (Papou means Grandpa in Greek) is still in Saudi Arabia, we decided to make a little video to send to him.  Here's the video we sent to my Dad:

 

Second, we are celebrating mine and Rudy's two-year anniversary since we had our civil ceremony with a lawyer on this day two years ago.  Rudy and I are in the process of completing all of his paperwork to become a resident of the United States.  Today is an important day because it will help us with obtaining Rudy's green card.

If you apply for a green card before you have been married for two years, the government places a "condition" on your residency.  This means that after two years of marriage we would have to do more paperwork and spend more money to remove the "condition" from his green card.  Yay for not having to do that!

Here is a picture of us on our little "honeymoon" trip 3 days after our civil ceremony:

Third, we are celebrating Kosta's six weeks!  I cannot believe I have a six-week old.  He is the most precious baby on the planet!  I could sit and stare at him all day long...but then I wouldn't get anything done.

He is getting so big!  I am totally amazed at how well he holds his head up.  He's also starting to find his fingers and try to suck his thumb - it's so cute.  Here's a little video to prove it!

He's also really starting to smile and laugh.  Ahh I just love him!