Teddy's Baptism

Due to the events taking place around Tampa Bay during the beginning of January (Theophany celebration in Tarpon Springs, patronal feast of St. John the Baptist in Tampa), we delayed Teddy's baptism to Thursday, January 8. On Monday night, our parish hosted its annual Archbishop Luncheon (except it was a dinner).

His Eminence Alexios and Fr. Peter were seated close enough to each other for the following conversation to take place:

Metr. Alexios: So... when are you having the baptism?
Fr. Peter: Thursday.
Metr. Alexios: Wednesday?
Fr. Peter: Thursday.
Metr. Alexios: Why Thursday?
Fr. Peter: Well, because tomorrow is Theophany, Wednesday is the feastday of St. John the Baptist ... so we thought Thursday we'd have some time.
Metr. Alexios: Okay... In the morning?
Fr. Peter: 11:30.
Metr. Alexios: Can you make it 11?
Fr. Peter: Well, we already put it in the monthly newsletter.
Metr. Alexios: Okay... 11:30... I think I can make it.

So our clergy count for the baptism was one bishop and three priests. Additionally, we invited the parish (but, being a Thursday, not many were able to attend), and my mother came, and one of Fr. Peter's classmates was in town, invited for the GOYA Winter Event which would start the next day.

Fr. Ioan (John) Bociu read the exorcism prayers, Teddy beamed, Paul Lundberg ... godfathered, and Thanasi Pantazelos chanted. Then we undressed the baby while the clergy and gentlemen did their thing.

Thanasi and Fr. Ioan chanted. Photo credit: Lisa Vlahos	Paul, Fr. James, Fr. Peter, and Metr. Alexios prayed. Photo credit: Lisa Vlahos

Teddy was oiled... Photo credit: Lisa Vlahos
... dunked ... Photo credit: Lisa Vlahos
... tonsured ...
... and communed. Photo credit: Lisa Vlahos

Metropolitan Alexios heard there was cake—Fr. Ioan Bociu makes an awesome cake, by the way—so he stayed for the reception.
At the reception, Teddy woke up and was the happiest baby ever.

My husband and mother have a disagreement about which is the cutest baby picture of Teddy so far, so you are invited to weigh in, or at least have more baby pictures to admire. (Okay, this may just be my own addiction.)

Before.

After. Photo credit: Lisa Vlahos

Florida State Fair

On Friday, February 13, we all went to the State Fair. Unfortunately, we did not do enough research. We did go on "Irish/Scottish Day," but found out that the next day was "Honey Day."

We looked at the exhibits in the Expo Hall, and said hello to the Orthodox booth set up by a nearby OCA parish.

Teddy watched Scottish dancers, Scottish pipers, and Irish dancers for the first time.

We very much enjoyed the bearded collies!

And we did get some honey (because we got lost on the way out).

Nap-time adventures

This afternoon (after Teddy skipped his noontime nap due to Liturgy and post-liturgical events - namely, the oratorical festival), his next nap followed the following step-wise pattern.

1. Unhappily search for mouth with right hand.
2. Insert thumb in mouth. Be soothed.
3. Continue grasping various things, in an upward motion, with the left hand.
4. Reach blanket above or around the head.
5. Enter "Must pull blanket phase" for the left arm. Pull blanket over (most of) face.
6. Start to panic, while still sucking on thumb.
7. Enter "Must pull blanket phase" for right arm. Take thumb out of mouth, become unhappy and tug on blanket until at least one eye can see around the edge of the blanket.
8. Release blanket with both arms. Relax and bring left arm down.
9. Start again from step 1.

This happened about ten times in a row, with decreasing intensity for the "panic" phase, leading, eventually, to a nap.

Grapefruit

Evidently, he likes grapefruit, too. This is rather unexpected for the two of us, who were amused at the experience.

After his five-o'clock feeding, he was fussy, and Daddy was eating a test grapefruit. (To see whether we should pick more from the tree in our yard yet.) I thought that a new experience might de-fuss him, so I suggested it. The grapefruit duly came around into Teddy's mouth ... and was heartily sucked on. His hand came up to hold Daddy's hand holding the grapefruit, and he looked so interested that we gave him a few more tastes, each of which met with approval.

According to Daddy, his facial expression indicated that he was very focused on the grapefruit.

Four-month check-up

Today, Teddy had his four-month check-up, very early in the morning (6;45). First, we found out that he takes after his father in being rather long (27.5 in, 97% percentile) and rather thin (15lb. 3oz, 50% percentile). Second came the physical exam, where the doctor tried to see if he would sit on his own for a second or so and said, "You think you're a six-month old, don't you?" Finally, there were the shots. I wasn't paying too much attention to the first couple, but the last one went something like this:

1. The nurse inserted the needle.
2. Teddy startled.
3. Teddy looked around confused for about two seconds.
4. Teddy realized that something wasn't quite right and he needed to do something about it: cry.
5. Ten seconds later, Teddy realized that the "not quite right thing" had gone away and he could go back to being his usual, charming self.

After the doctor's visit, we went to the pool, where Teddy had a grand old time and charmed everyone who dared come close to him. Now, he's a little tired and unhappy, but overall, he's been a great little trooper.

Attempts at food

OK, so we haven't started feeding Teddy anything other than breast milk yet (although we did have a mostly unsuccessful try at giving him a bottle today). However, while we cook, we have taken to putting various things at his mouth and giving him a taste. The carrot and the banana were interesting (or, at least, that's how we interpreted his look). The tomato... that was pretty good and he kept licking it for a while. The pear, now that was very good. So good, that in addition to licking it profusely, he took his hand and pressed mine (holding the pear) so he could get more. More to come as we keep playing with his taste buds.

Forty-Day Blessing

On the fortieth day of Theodore Gregory's birth, we all went to church for the forty-day blessing or "churching." Prayers were said in the narthex for me, for him, and for his future godfather. (There may have been other prayers, but then he started to fuss a bit and I lost concentration.) Then Fr. Peter took Teddy in his arms and walked up the main aisle of the church. Teddy was intently looking at the Pantokrator in the dome. They went into the altar and around the altar table. I followed up the aisle and waited for them on the solea. More prayers were said, and that was about it.

We had invited the priests and presvyteres of our parish to come celebrate this with us, as something of a preview, since we predicted everything would be hectic on the first Sunday. So they came as they were able. Fr. Constantine took pictures and Fr. James helped me figure out what I needed to be doing, and Fr. Petros just beamed. Afterwards we had a little snack with muffins and koulourakia and coffee in the hall lobby.