The Kosinski Kids

Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T22:42:00.000-07:00

Christmas 2011 was amazing.

What a magical year for Liam and to have our baby girl, Stella, with us made it a year to remember. What a beautiful Christmas Eve Service at Flatirons Church.

So much to be thankful for this year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~ Mom, Jenna and Jacque ~

Christmas Eve has always been a special time for us girls.

~Jenna Benna and Stella Bella~

~Auntie Jenna and Uncle BP~

We started a tradition of getting the kids a new pair of PJs, an ornament for the tree and a new christmas story to open on Christmas Eve. This year, Liam was very interested in Charlie Brown's Christmas Story, complete with music for every page. He must have read it 100 times on Christmas Day!

Liam and Stella, she is working on trusting her big brother.

And the magic of Santa!

The G-Parents

2011-11-14T21:39:00.001-07:00

Can you say spoiled? Rotten? What are Grandparents for?

Yummy!

We were so thankful to have Sean's parents come out for a visit from Connecticut and spend some quality time with us and the kids.

Liam started calling Sean's dad his G-Pop when he

was one year old.. then came G-Mom... he talks about them all the time.

Liam is ~~enjoying~~ downing some ice cream above from his G-rents and riding a tractor below they got him for his first Christmas.

G-Pop and his first Granddaughter! So proud.

Three generations of Kosinski's

They just had the best time together at the park

Reading stories and getting spoiled with Lightning McQueen gear!!

Thank you for the visit G-Mom and G-Pop. You mean the world to us and I know it's not easy being away from your grandchildren. Stella loved snuggling up with you and Liam played and played his little heart out. He talks about you both all the time, even in his little make believe world, I will catch him bringing you in to the "scene"!

We love you!

"I love you... a bushel and a peck

and a hug around the neck..te de, ta da, to do."

Sweet Stella

2011-11-09T22:53:00.001-07:00

Six weeks old already! You are smiling, cooing and sleeping almost through the night.

I love seeing your little personality developing.

I just have to pinch myself that I have a daughter ... and that it is you!

You. Are. Perfect.

It amazes me to look at your hands and see mine...

Brother Liam loves you so much!

Sean and I went on our first date September 27th 2003, exactly 8 years before the day our daughter would be born. Can you believe that?! I had a feeling she would come that day (about one week

before my actual due date). I woke up and started cleaning like a mad woman, baking cookies, vacuuming the garage, laundry, packing hospital bags. Liam was following me around helping me. We went to Target after lunch and I felt contractions starting, they progressed throughout the day and I finally called Mom to come get Liam and told Sean to bring his computer home (telling him he would not be going back to work the next day). When I called the Doc, she instructed to get in the car and head to the hospital NOW since contractions were about 5 minutes apart. After frosting the cookies and scrubbing my feet we finally left. In the car, suddenly the contractions were two minutes apart! I was getting a little worried I wouldn't make the cut off for the epidural and to my surprise was dilated at 6 when we got there. As soon as the epidural started working it was time to push and she was here at 11pm. It went so fast and I couldn't ask for a better labor and delivery.

I just can't believe we have this amazing little girl in our life!

~ Love You Stella Bell! ~

My Big Boy

2011-11-07T22:58:00.000-07:00

I keep saying that this is the perfect age for Liam.. that time should freeze right now. But it just keeps getting better.. Some things I want to remember about my Son as a toddler; you love Mickey Mouse, Shrek, Cars (Lightning McQueen) and chocolate milk. I know all parents say this about their children but you are smart! So smart, you have been talking since age one and were potty trained in July of 2011 at age 2 1/2. You know your colors, shapes, alphabet and how to lock Mommy out of her room. You are funny and you know it, outgoing, sweet, loving and all BOY. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to raise a boy. I love seeing you make believe and drive your trucks, I love your made up sound effects and watching your magical imagination grow. You want me to get you in the mornings and to hold your hand to sleep. You wait for Dad to get home and ask to wrestle as soon as he walks in the door! You thank God for rainbows. My favorite word you say is Blue. You call your undies "big boys." You gag when you eat broccoli. You sometimes start the day in time out :)

You are the most amazing son, grandson, nephew, big brother and loving little boy and I can't wait to see how many lives you will touch with the gifts God has given you.

You have already blessed my life more than your will ever know.

Love, Mom

Welcome Stella Elyse!

2011-10-30T22:14:00.000-06:00

...Or "Stella Bell" is what I have been calling her! Wow, yes, we are blogging and we have another child! I just let life get away from me and finally decided I love capturing pictures, events and emotions through blogging and am going to give it another honest effort.

Too much time has passed to try to recap all of Liam's milestones and make up for lost time. But, here we are... and here are the beautiful children..

Stella Elyse, born September 27

Liam age 2 1/2 ~ Lovin' the boots

Proud Big Brother!

Making pumpkin cookies for his pre-school class

Stella Bell... beauty

The Kosinski's ~ Halloween 2011

Eating Peaches

2009-08-25T22:38:00.012-06:00

We have been trying to get in as many outdoor activities as possible with the end of summer just around the corner. Liam loves swinging, going on walks to the park, and going to Rockies games (he has been to three this summer already!). One thing he does not enjoy quite yet is sleeping through the night! We took a mini vacation and stayed downtown at the Brown Palace last weekend. Liam got to sit on the piano while the Snoopy song was played. We relaxed then enjoyed the best Sunday brunch I have ever had in my life! Waffles, crab legs, prime rib, champagne and even cheesecake before 11am - hello!

Chicks Dig Scars Pjs

He loves his dog Leo (more than his parents do)

Yummy, Peaches!

Peace

So Happy on Daddy's shoulders!

Snoopy song just for me!

What should I do?...

I will just look out the window in downtown Denver and people watch I guess...

6 months - Little Liam

2009-08-16T22:29:00.024-06:00

Okay, I have been a terrible blogger but I want to keep this updated from now on so I will try harder! I have a lot to catch up on! There will be tons of pictures on this post.

Liam will be 6 months old tomorrow. He has been such a joy to watch grow this summer. He is sitting up now, rolling over, laughing, smiling, and has started eating some solids (zucchini and apples so far). I can't believe the personality on this boy... he just smiles at everyone and is happy all the time! I don't think he cried one time today, he is just so down to earth and easy going with whatever we do! He loves his dog Leo and loves to play with his Daddy and cuddle with me!

We are so blessed to have such a beautiful son in our life and I hope you enjoy these pictures!

2009-06-14T20:50:00.009-06:00

6 weeks old today!

2009-03-31T21:08:00.012-06:00

Liam is changing and growing so fast and we are enjoying every minute with him. These are some of my favorite pictures that were taken over the past few weeks. The first three were taken by my cousin Laura. She is a photographer and did an amazing job at capturing these precious shots of the handsome little guy.

We are stating to get lots of smiles!

Sleeping peacefully!

Liam's first St. Patty's Day!

3 weeks old today!

2009-03-10T15:50:00.015-06:00

Liam loved his first Bath!

Clean and happy boy!

Sean Parents came for a visit to meet their first Grandson and see us!

G-pop got to celebrate his birthday with Liam

Sleeping with Grandma

Baby Kosinski

2009-02-24T21:08:00.019-07:00

On February 17th at 2:08pm, we welcomed Liam onto our family!
He was 6 lbs. 14 0z. and was 20 inches long.

Today he is 1 week old and Sean and I are absolutely amazed by this little person and we just can't stop looking at his precious face.

We are so blessed to have such a healthy, happy boy.

Labor and delivery was better then I expected. I had mild contractions that started on Monday night. I was timing them while I watched "The Bachelor" they were about 5-10 minutes apart but bearable, I had to watch my show first! - we finally went to the hospital at Midnight to get checked and determine if I was really ready to have this baby or not. To my surprise, I was dilated at 5 - I had a scheduled induction for Monday, 2/23 and was told by my doctor to expect to get induced and that is was highly unlikely I would go into labor before. Made it thought through the night without an epidural but got it in the morning and had my water broke at about 9am. I dilated from 5 to 10 by 1pm then pushed for one hour.

We got home from the hospital on Thursday afternoon and spent most of the day worrying that he was not getting enough to eat and just trying to get through the day since we were both so sleep deprived from the hospital stay. He had his first doctor appointment on Friday and the doctor recommended that we supplement a little formula since his weight had dropped to 6.2 oz. It is normal for newborns to loose up to 10% of their weight in the first few days but they should be back at birth weight when they are 2 weeks old. So, we reluctantly gave him a little formula on Friday and I was able to start nursing him on Friday night. He was much happier with mama's milk and to the doctors surprise, he was back to his birth weight as of yesterday!

We are enjoying our time off with our new son and are looking forward to this weekend since Nana and Papa Kosinski are coming to visit! I never thought I would say this but Sean and I are actually a little board at times, especially while the baby is sleeping! I think we are just ready to take him out into the world and start to do things together as family.

Thanks to all our family and friends for the warm wishes and enjoy the pics!

Resting with Daddy

Little wizard hat

Grandpa Mark

Auntie Jenna

Grandma Donna

Angry Liam!

Any Day!...

2009-02-11T20:12:00.031-07:00

Well, the official due date is Feb. 16th - Sean and I are getting really excited to meet our son and are so ready to get this show on the road! I am a little sad about the thought of not being pregnant anymore but am sure I will forget all about it as soon as I see his little face. My friends and family put together a really nice baby shower for us, it was so nice to see everybody and I can't believe how generous everyone has been with the baby gifts. We are so lucky to have so many great people in our life! My work also had a baby shower / lunch potluck for me the week before my leave started that was really nice. Liam is sure loved and spoiled already! Here are some pictures from the baby showers. Thanks for all the prayers and we will post some pictures of the little cutie pie ASAP! Love you!

Work Baby Shower & Cake

We finally let Sean back in the house!

Scrapbooking!

My Mom re - did a rocking chair that I had in my room when I was a little girl to match Liam's room! The chair originally belonged to my Grandma Celia when she was little.

Jenna & Jacque

Melissa & Kristen

Nichole & Laura

Kate & Lesley

Tisha, little Blake and Rach!

Dad's turn

2009-01-13T13:02:00.018-07:00

I figured it's about time that I comment on this whole endeavour before it's time has passed. As you may have noticed or experienced yourself, we're in the "nesting" phase. Every weekend has been consumed with painting, organizing, cleaning, hanging, building and staining. Here's some pictures from his room, now that's it's complete (sans baby).

Yes, his name will be Liam. Hanging the letters was Mom's task, notice how they're crooked?

Notice a theme here?

The work week usually consists of cooking, reading, and watching birthing videos. I didn't realize that this would turn into a second job, and he's not even here yet! I'm just looking forward to all the sleep and rest I can expect when he finally does arrive. A mini-vacation of sorts....Ahh, the serenity to come is the only thing keeping me from going insane.

The main thing I've realized is that no one ever talks about how tough pregnancy is for us men. The back pain, sleepless nights, forgetfulness, constant urge to urinate, bloating and not to mention the weight gain....man, if Jacque only knew!

Anyway I digress. On a more serious note, I really do respect what she's going through. And, my mother will be glad to hear that I have a new found appreciation for what she went through, three times no less! Jacque's really cleaned up her act and forsaken all hard drugs for this last trimester (just seeing if you're awake!). Actually she's been eating really healthy foods and taking her vitamins every day so that he has all the nutrition a Dr can recommend in 2009. [who knows, 20 years from now they'll tell you that eating from Tupperware is the worse thing for your baby and EPA will outlaw the containers for mothers that are pregnant or may become pregnant, despite the fact that everyone did it without repercussion back in '09. See smoking and drinking circa 1970].

I'm getting really excited for his big arrival. I just can't wait to see his features. Hopefully he gets Jacque's eyes, smile, arms, legs, and feet -pretty much everything except my plumbing, then he'll be ok. This morning I felt the most amazing thing. I was resting with my hand on mom's belly and he was fidgeting around when he suddenly turned and I could feel his heartbeat. It is amazing to think that there's another person in there. Speaking of which, I can't stop worrying about his health. Please send us some positive thoughts because all I really want is for him to be healthy. It sounded kind of funny or cliche when I've heard it from someone else, but I can really appreciate the sincerity of such a wish now that I'm in this position.

Another interesting thing has happened since I caught wind of his impending arrival; I've stopped buying senseless gadgets for myself and starting buying things for someone that hasn't even been born yet. One of the first things I got him was a truck. You know how boys love their Tonka trucks, well I could spare no expense...

That's me in front of a 400 ton haul truck -the largest such truck in the world.

That's all for now. Hope you're doing well and thanks for checking out our blog.

Further proof that Jacque is a slave driver. Here's a steamer-trunk style bar that I'm staining and finishing for the upstairs...

Hurry up and get here so I can get some rest!!!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T14:12:00.019-07:00

We have about 6 more weeks to go (hopefully) until we get to meet our little one! Sean and I are feeling more ready then ever since we have had the last couple of weeks off of work to get things organized and check off projects on our to-do list. The baby's room is finished and I wil post pictures of it soon! I think we are both nesting although I am a little more crazy about it then Sean. I even got the dog shaved to the bone (yes, in the middle of Winter) because I was vacuuming twice a day and couldn't take it anymore! He will live - he is such a spoiled inside dog:) The baby is getting more and more cramped and he isn't able to kick as hard now but he is still very active and his movements now sometimes take my breath away since he pushes on all my organs. Everything else with the pregnancy is progressing just fine. Can't wait to go back to work on Monday only because I know I only have about 4-5 weeks until I start my leave and our baby will be here!

Poor little freezing cold dog!

Blake Elizabeth - 5 weeks old!

Gavin - 5 months old

Ashton being silly!

New Years Eve - nothing too crazy this year!

Laura, Jenn, me with the basketball, & Tisha

30 weeks down - 10 to go!

2008-12-08T16:10:00.006-07:00

We can't believe how fast the time has gone by! In just 10 short weeks we will finally be able to meet our little guy! Here are some pictures of the 4d Ultrasound we had done a couple of weeks ago - they guessed he weighs 3 pounds now and is 13 inches long. What an amazing experience to see him moving around, making facial expressions and moving him little hands and feet!

I think I am finally slowing down a bit from the pregnancy and the extra weight is starting to take a toll on my body. I know you have all heard me complain enough about this but I will do it one more time so it is documented! - My hands are killing me, I got pregnancy carpel tunnel pretty bad and am considering taping popsicle sticks to my fingers before I go to bed so it is easier to open my hands in the morning! I guess about 30% of woman experience this problem but my friend April tells me that it will go away pretty much as soon as you give birth! It is well worth it though - if this is all I have to complain about then I am happy! Sean is doing great and is getting so excited to be a Dad - he is so supportive and in tune with the pregnancy and rubs my fat sausage fingers no matter how much I complain!

25 weeks!

2008-11-02T18:12:00.008-07:00

I am 25 weeks pregnant now and everything is going great. The past few weeks have been so much fun, Sean and I can both feel and see the baby moving and kicking! At 25 weeks baby is about 13 1/2 inches from head to heels and weighs almost 2 pounds. Sean finished painting the baby's room yesterday and it looks awesome! He built a chair rail and the bottom part of the room is painted dark blue and the top a tan color. The next step in the next couple of months is to find furniture. Getting the room ready has made us even more excited for him to be here!

Hope....

Happy Fall!

2008-09-28T19:52:00.012-06:00

We took a drive through the mountains this morning - Fall is the most beautiful season in Colorado and my favorite time of the year. Baby is 20 weeks now and I am still feeling great! We had another ultrasound last week and everything looks great, we even got to see him yawn - so cute! The little man gave me a few little kicks this weekend too, something I have been waiting for! - Right under my belly button I felt him moving for the first time. It was so exciting and I can't wait to feel it again and for Sean to be able to feel him from the outside in a couple more months. I have attached several pictures below of what we have been up to over the past month or so... enjoy!

Cousins Kendra & Laura with their little ones - Sawyer & Hunter. Hunter will be 1 year old in October and Sawyer in January. It is so neat that these boys will be able to grow up together much like we did. The tables have turned though - all boys this time! Jenna, Kenrda, Laura and I were so close growing up and will make sure these boys are too!

Sawyer and Hunter playing with coasters above - discovered that our home is far from baby proof too!

We took a trip back East to visit with "Papa and Nana Kosinski" earlier this month. The picture above was taken off the coast of Rhode Island just before the ferry left for our day trip to Block Island. Block Island was great - can't wait to go back, more pictures below!

Dad and Mom at the beach - the fog cleared out once we arrived to Block!

Sean and I in the ocean! It took a bit of convincing for me to jump in the Atlantic since it was a little cooler than I expected - well worth it though! What a nice day - we headed to Newport for the night after we left Block. The rest of the trip in CT was nice and relaxing and we are so glad we got to make one more trip out there before the baby comes!

This one above is of baby yawning - picture that he is looking right at us with his mouth open - tilt your head to the left just a tad... it was so cute to watch the full yawn in motion!

Profile of baby - his nose resembles Sean's here!

Pregnancy picture here - somebody wanted to see a pic of my growing belly - can't really see it in this pic very well but it is the most recent one (today). Next time will be a good one for sure - I know he is going through a major growth spurt now - so I will be too! :)

A Sweet Baby Boy...

2008-08-28T20:03:00.014-06:00

What wonderful news we got yesterday -

not only is everything progressing just fine but

we are having a son!

~~~

Sean thinks he looks like he's pouting in the above picture if you look at his lips! He was cuddled up and the ultrasound tech wasn't sure that she would be able to get a picture of the goods to let us know the gender. Just when she was about done measuring she focused on his bottom and at that time there was no doubt that it's a boy! You can see his legs and the arrow below confirming... I know these can be hard photos to read if you are not studying them everyday like we are - imagine that he is sitting on a glass floor and you are looking up.

The next appointment will be in about 3 weeks and they do a more in depth ultrasound to count fingers and toes and do brain measurements and other important testing. If there are no concerns, that will be the last time we see our little peanut until he joins us next year! Wow - next year, we still have got a ways to go!

Love you all - Sean & Jacque

2008-08-20T13:54:00.007-06:00

At about 14 1/2 weeks, the baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck it's thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, the facial muscles are getting a workout as tiny features form one expression after another. I love imagining what the little facial expressions might look like!

Both Sean and I have been keeping busy at work and are enjoying the rest of the summer. It seems to go so much faster when you are always looking forward to the next doctors appointment! We are also looking forward to spending a little time in CT with Sean's family next month as well.

So, we are 1 week away from our next doctors appointment (the appt. where they will tell us that everything is okay with baby's bladder and where they will hopefully, tell us the gender!)

We will keep you updated! Love ya!

Our Little Peach

2008-08-10T06:28:00.008-06:00

Baby is 13 weeks today and is now about three inches long (the size of a peach) although we won't hear them for another 27 weeks, vocal chords are now forming as well. Fingerprints are now defined on the baby's tiny fingertips too!

I found this cute web page that compares the weekly size of the fetus to fruit - really interesting but week 37 kind of scares me (when thinking about childbirth - a watermelon)

http://community.thenestbaby.com/cs/ks/blogs/nb_checklists/pages/how-big-is-baby.aspx

I have been feeling really well aside from a little back pain - I am trying not to complain about it or be too much of a wimp now since I know it will get much, much worse. Your body starts to release a hormone called relaxin at the highest levels during early pregnancy and will peak at week 14. This hormone "relaxes" all the ligaments in your pelvis to start to prepare your body for childbirth and as a result, things start to shift around in your low back. Crazy how my body is already getting ready for the big event and my mind hasn't even gone there yet!

Last Monday, August 4th, our good friends Josh and Jenn welcomed their son Gavin into the world! I cant believe what a perfect little head he has - I am sure everything else is perfect too, that is all just we could see since he was wrapped up like a little burrito. I have never seen such a perfect little nose and sweet rosy lips and cheeks on a baby just minutes old. We are so happy for them and are looking forward to having kids that will grow up together - just six months apart!

Gavin Micheal - What a cutie!

Baby's First Photo!

2008-07-30T20:18:00.005-06:00

This morning was our first ultrasound. It was an amazing experience for Sean and I to see the baby moving it's arms and legs and to hear the heartbeat. We were given a new due date of February 16 as a result of the baby's measurements. This means that I am actually only about 11 1/2 weeks pregnant right now. We are going back to the doctor in 4 weeks for our next appointment and to do another ultrasound (yea!) since the doctor noticed that the size of the baby's bladder is a little larger then average. She said it is nothing to be concerned about but just something she wants to take another look at in a month. We are trying to take her advise and not worry... we are looking forward to having a bonus ultrasound. Doc also noted that the bladder behavior is typical of "bad baby boys". We will see if she is right in 4 more weeks!

Here Comes a Baby Bump!

2008-07-19T15:27:00.006-06:00

At 11 weeks today, baby is 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig - he or she is now almost fully formed! The hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and some bones are beginning to harden. Although I can't feel it yet -the baby is already busy kicking and stretching.

Yesterday was probably the first day that I really noticed that my belly is a little bigger - in a different way then being bloated or having a "fat" day. Bigger and rounder just below by belly button and there is no sucking in anymore folks. Sean noticed it too. He let's me know by telling me "I think you are a little further along then you think you are." Nice.

You have probably heard this before but now comes the annoying part of looking pregnant because you aren't big enough yet to start getting the attention you deserve from the outside world. You definitely feel pregnant and all that people (that don't know you are expecting) see is a chubby, hungry and sometimes grouchy woman - and who wants to be nice to those?
This hasn't bothered me to bad since the chub bump is reassurance that there really is a baby in there and it is growing like it should be!

We are getting really anxious for the next doctors appointment to hear the baby's heartbeat and make sure everything is okay so far. Once we have an ultrasound, I will post the sonogram on the blog and send out this link so everyone can share our joy with us!

Sean's been busy working on the backyard lately - trying to keep the grass alive in this constant 90 degree weather!

10 weeks today...

2008-07-12T09:55:00.006-06:00

This week the baby's tiny nails are forming on it's fingers and toes and peach-fuzz hair is beginning to grow on it's skin. The baby's limbs can bend now and by the end of this month he or she will be about 3 inches long - double it's size right now!

To read more about the baby's development at 10 week click below:
http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-10-weeks_1099.bc?intcmp=timeline

I am feeling great and have no complaints. I am not getting as tired in the afternoons lately. The only cravings I am currently having are sweets! - mostly in the morning. I was so mad at Starbucks yesterday morning because I waited in the long line only to discover they had sold out of apple fritters! Decaf coffee just isn't the same without an apple fritter!

Our 1 year anniversary is this Monday, July 14. I ordered live lobsters and steamers from Maine to celebrate! We also got a free anniversary cake from the vendor that make our wedding cake. I picked that up last night so we could have it for dessert tonight after the seafood fest, however, we (I) just couldn't wait another 24 hours so we had to try a bite last night.

Strawberries and champagne cake with whipped butter frosting -

see what I mean about waiting... :)

Sean about to kill our lobsters!

Leo doesn't know what to think!

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T10:39:00.008-06:00

Tomorrow I will be 9 weeks pregnant already! We had our first doctor appointment this week and she gave us an estimated due date of February 4th. This date may change after the first ultrasound at the next appointment on July 30th once they measure the size of the baby. I am feeling very well other than the complete exhaustion I experience at about 3pm each day! Sean is getting excited and is looking forward to when I start showing - I think I can wait until the end of the summer for that!

Here is a link about the development of the baby at 9 weeks: http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-9-weeks_1098.bc?intcmp=timeline

We took some pictures in front of our new house this week as well. We included Leo since it won't be long before someone more popular is around to take pictures of.