Levi's Paradise

Paradise is a place in which existence is positive, harmonious and timeless.  

Now that Levi is learning how to touch, feel, and grab things, he is loving his little jungle play mat. I always joke that we live in paradise...well this is Levi's, just at a much smaller scale. He is so happy and talkative when playing in it and it seems like he enjoys being down there forever...until he realizes he's hungry and ready for a nap of course ;)

Here is a video clip of Levi playing in his paradise:

My Big, Little Levi...

After all that doctor talk in yesterday's post, I forgot to list Levi's measurements. And update you with a picture of him. I took some pics this morning while we were playing. I just couldn't decide which one to post, so I'm posting all of them ;)

Measurements:

• Weight ~ 13 lbs, 11 oz
• Length ~ 23 1/2 inches
• Big Head ~ 16 inches (yikes!)

His weight and length are measuring in as a 3 month old and his head is weighing in as an adult...lol. Just kidding, but it is well above average. It probably just means he's going to be smart, like his mommy (just kidding, again ;). Full of laughs this morning...must mean Christmas is around the corner!

 

Only in Costa Rica, November ~ Another Looong Trip

Remember my OiCR post for October?...about the 3 looong trips to Santa Cruz. Well, here's another good story...

Levi is due for his 2 month check up, but our pediatrician is in San Jose, 4 hours away. So, we decided to find someone else near us. I asked a friend who they use and they go to a doctor in Liberia, about an hour away. BUT, he doesn't speak English and I decided that I don't want anything lost in translation, in regards to Levi. So, I decided to look online and find a good medical clinic in Liberia. I called and asked if they have a pediatrician that speaks English and they do...great! I made the appointment and was excited to find someone that speaks English and lives close to us.

Well, again, just like my Santa Cruz trip, this was too good to be true. We get to the clinic at 4pm (30 minutes before our appointment, just in case) and after waiting about 30 minutes the doctor says he has to go help with a c-section delivery of twins at the hospital and he would be back in 20-30 minutes, which in Tico time is more like an hour. Well, there was also another family ahead of us, so when he returned an hour later, we still had to wait some more. Finally after a total wait period of 2 hours, we got in with the doctor. I had already given Levi his medicine because I knew he would be getting some shots. The doctor did all the routine things...weight, measurement, and checking for other healthy signs. Then he dropped it on us...he doesn't administer shots. What?!?!...you're a pediatrician for crying out loud!...isn't there even a nurse that can do it?...No. We have to go to a pharmacy and a nurse there can do it. Well, after driving an hour and waiting 2 hours, the last thing we wanted to do now was go wait at a pharmacy for who knows how long. I guess we will just go to one back by our home in the next day or so.

Oh and by the way, the 15 minute appointment cost us $70...for something I could have done. Oh well, living and learning in CR...maybe that should be my blog title ;)

The Levi Swaddle and Baby Nico

The Levi Swaddle...

This past week, Levi has not been sleeping well at night, which has made him overtired and fussy during the day. He's pretty much been sleeping for 3 hours and then getting up every hour after that, which means Mommy is exhausted. And now on top of that, JB has to leave for 5 days, so no more help from him...ugh. I decided I had to figure out what brought on this change in behavior...and I remembered last week we stopped using his wedge (photo in 1 month post). We had been using this instead of a swaddle, so he would feel safe and secure in his bed. Well, now that he's outgrown it, he kicks his blanket off of his legs. I thought maybe this is the problem. So, the only thing I could think of to do then, was to do what I've been dreading all along...swaddle Levi. I know it's a proven method, I just hate the restriction, but I had to try something for the sake of getting some rest. 

That night I tried swaddling and it worked very well...he still woke up for feedings, but at good times, and he woke up the next morning cooing and laughing, so I guess it couldn't of been a dreadful night. The next night, I thought I'd start without it and see if it really was the swaddle. Well, that lasted a whole 10 minutes, so then I proceeded to swaddle him and to my surprise, he was happy about it. He slept great, but when he woke up for his 1:30 feeding, he had busted out of the swaddle. Uh oh. Then I decided to try to see if he could handle his hands being outside the swaddle. Again he slept well until 5:30, his usual wake up time.

Even though I don't like the idea of swaddling, I know Levi does and I think we found a way to keep both of us happy, by using the Levi Swaddle...

JB is going to pick up some more swaddles in the States and a Sleep Sack that will probably do the trick too. Glad to have my happy baby back!


Baby Nico...

My best friend Melissa had her first baby about a week ago. His name is Nico James Ammirati. I love that our little guys share the same middle name. He will be like a nephew to me and a cousin to Levi! He is such a cutie pie...here are some pics of him...

My favorite photo

Present from Aunt Tyra