Baker's Dozen, of months, that is

Thirteen, almost fourteen months people!

Executive Summary:

I'm beautiful, going to swimming lessons and swimming with the PUs, no longer afraid of the ocean, better at Leilani's, my room looks new, I'm eating more, we went boating again, and I'm perfecting my theatrics.

My twelve month check up stats:

height/length: 31.5 inches tall/long (92nd percentile)

head circ: 18.5" (68th percentile)

weight: 22 lbs, 13 oz (39th percentile.)

So apparently I'm tall and trim. Plus Mommy, Auntie Nikki, Daddy--well, pretty much everybody--calls me handsome. And mommy gets upset that I'm more tan than her. That's right, I am Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome.

My survival swimming lessons are in their 7th week now. I must say, when I started going, I was not a fan at all. The pool was cold - a chilly 84, with a strange lady who was way too happy all the time who kept dunking me underwater. The crazy lady told the PUs that my screaming from start to finish was because I didn't have another way to express myself. My small handful of butt that's why! I was upset. I wanted it to be over - it was hard work. But ya know what? It got better. After a week or so and until now, I only scream doing the exercises but am perfectly fine while Aisha (the crazy happy lady) holds me. That is unless there's something distracting (geckos, airplanes, dragon flies, other kids - especially girls) then I might forget to scream. A smile has even been known to sneak across my little mug.

From Teldyn's Second Album

As much as I scream at lessons, I love swimming with the PUs. I went to the community pool with Daddy and Auntie Nikki and then a few days later with Daddy and Mommy. I couldn't get enough of the water. When Auntie Nikki was there we spent most of the time in the kids' pool which was fun and really warm. I rode on Daddy's back and stole Auntie's sunglasses as often as I could. But then we went into the PU pool. It was there I was able to show the PUs what I could really do. Doing what Aisha showed them, Daddy and Auntie pushed me underwater toward each other--about 6 feet and a couple seconds away--once I got to one PU I just wanted to swim back to the other one. Auntie and Daddy and later Mommy were so happy. Daddy kept laughing and hugging me which I like, but I wanted to swim. When Mommy was with Daddy, wow, did I swim. Mommy kept making me go further and further. It was so far I needed to flip over on my back to breathe, which Mommy and Daddy helped me with. Then I swam again.

A few days after the pool sessions, we all went to a party at a really pretty beach [Bellows Air Force Station on the east side of the island]. For the first time I had enough confidence to walk towards the water. Before, I found it scary. Now I know it's fun. Daddy and I walked to the water's edge and I laughed and giggled as the water washed so much sand over my feet that my feet disappeared. Daddy found them, though. Then later Mommy brought me back to the water where I saw Auntie and Daddy swimming in the waves. Daddy rode a wave on his belly right up to me. Then he held me in the water so waves could go all around us. It was neat!

On my daycare days with Leilani (my PU on Tuesdays and Thursdays), kind of like my swimming lessons, I haven't always been the most pleasant person to be around. Same as swimming, I used to scream and cry all the time when I wasn't being held. To go to sleep Leilani had to put me in a separate room so I could cry myself to sleep. But slowly, (READ: very slowly) things got better. Now when Daddy comes to pick me up, I don't even run to him. Not that I don't like the guy, but I'm pretty comfortable where I am. In fact, here's what Leilani said this past Tuesday:

"Was wide awake & too playful to nap today.

I'm so happy how well Teldyn has adjusted here.

He was really into our block building & dancing

time. He's grown so much here, & I enjoy

watching him socialize w/ his friends

& actually having fun!"

Teldyn's Second Album

I have a new room! OK, not really, but it's so different and really neat. I think it's the coolest room in the house. Before, it was full of lots of stuff and the walls were all white. Now, it just has my stuff and it has new paint. To paint the room, I was moved out into the hallway. That was a little weird. I can't prove it, but I'm pretty sure the PUs were moving around or staring at me while I was sleeping.

From Teldyn's Second Album

Then Aunties Connie and Nikki and Mommy painted my room. But I still had to live in the hallway forever [read: a week]. Now, the walls remind me of the beach. And there's a picture of a honu (sea turtle) on the wall over my bed. And on one of the shelves there's a picture frame (courtesy of Auntie Connie) that I like to look at.

From Teldyn's Second Album

I've mentioned Auntie Connie a few times already. I have to say, I miss her. Daddy said she and Uncle Lee needed to go back to some place called Canada. But I guess we will see them again soon. Before they left, Auntie Connie and I hung out quite a bit. One day we hung out together while daddy disappeared with Uncle Lee. She's a lot of fun so I miss her, but I got to see her over iChat recently, though. The video quality wasn't too good, but I could hear her. To show her I much I missed her, I stuck out my tongue, and pointed to my nose and mouth.

From Teldyn's Second Album

I have a new favorite use for my first finger: pointing. I point out birds, leaves, the doggies, Daddy, airplanes, helicopters, trucks all sorts of stuff. I think I'll call it my pointer finger. Maybe it'll catch on.

I talk even more now, but people still don't seem to know what I'm saying. I'll keep trying though.

About a month ago or so we all went on another boat trip in Kaneohe Bay with Auntie Connie and Uncle Lee, Uncle John, Auntie Mena and Jasper. Jasper and Uncle Lee were pretty cool. Uncle Lee let Jasper drive the boat. Or maybe Jasper let Uncle Lee drive the boat. I'm not really sure. We stopped for awhile at the sandbar so Daddy, and Uncles Lee and John could run around, try to surf and fall down in really shallow water. They seemed to have fun.

Wow, this is long, and I still have more to say. So I'll sum up the rest. I'm eating 3 solid-ish type meals a day. I can climb the couches on my own and once, using a big block, I escaped my playpen. I'm also getting a taste for the theatrical; when the PUs and I don't agree I'll sometimes sit, roll to my stomach and whine a bit. It doesn't seem to work too well with Mommy, but Daddy's more of a softy. Hee hee! My puppet.

And for anyone who hasn't Skyped or iChat-ted with us recently.... here's a pic of Mommy and Daddy.

From Teldyn's Second Album

My First Year

I've been alive one whole year already.  Phew!  That was tough.  I've been learning so much.  Luckily, the hardest stuff is behind me now, I'm sure.  It just gets easier from here, right?

We had a great party the night before my birthday out at Aunt Connie and Uncle Lee's house. I got to see my friend Jasper and his parents, John and Mena. They bought me a great floatie that I can't wait to try out! Also, I got to play in my new pool with Jasper and lots of little yellow duckies! I kept throwing them onto the grass so they could be free, but Auntie Connie and Daddy kept putting them back in the water. Maybe they were safer there?

From Teldyn's Second Album

I got to run all over the lawn, the house, the porch, the gravel (not as much fun as the lawn) and I even got to play drums with Uncle Lee. Oh, and I had the best time ever trying to catch and pet RC, the cat. She was real crafty, hiding behind the couch and running around the sofa - but I wouldn't give up!  Well, until the grown-ups let her outside... I almost had her, though.

I also got to eat a lot of goodies, like strawberries, pineapple, raspberries, hummus, cherries, and more. Best of all, I got to stay up 3 1/2 hours past my bedtime! Yep, that's right - there was so much to see and play with and laugh at that I didn't even notice how late it was until I was in my car seat on the way home. At least, I think I made it to my car seat because I definitely woke up in my bed. Maybe it was all a dream? Just joking, there's photos to prove it was real! (Grown ups can't photograph dreams, can they?)

On my birthday, Mommy and Daddy and I chilled at home and played with duplos. I even got to show off my mad skills by sticking the duplos together for the first time - it seems like that could be even more fun than taking them apart! I also skyped with Aunt Fara, and Nona sang to me over the phone.

I've taken on a lot of new responsibilities in my old age, like "tickling" my teeth before I go to bed and helping Mommy and Daddy guide the spoon when I eat. Plus, I know how to open the dishwasher, reach the dials for the stove, open the oven, turn on and off the washing machine, open the screen door to the backyard, take the dvds off the shelves and more!  For some reason, the PUs don't seem particularly happy about all these newfound skills. 

I start swimming lessons next week, the same day I go in for my annual check up. Dad says I'll have to do these every year from now on - wow, that sounds like a lot.

From Teldyn's Second Album

For all my fans, thanks for sticking with me throughout the year. I am definitely feeling the love and look forward to the years to come.  Muah!

Overdue Update

Hi neighbors! Sorry for the long com-munications delay. My biographers have been crazy busy lately.

Daddy really wanted me to do an environmental piece; so I'm gonna talk a little about solid waste. No, not the stuff in my diapers but diapers themselves. I use the cloth reusable kind, and the PUs tell me that it's one of the many ways that they're trying to leave me a world that's not overflowing with trash. Disposable diapers are made of plastic and when they're thrown "away" the plastics don't disappear. Ever. They may eventually photo-degrade, meaning the materials break down into tiny pieces that leach into soil and water.

Yes, reusable diapers use more water in their cleaning, but they're biodegradable if they ever do get thrown out, they're cheaper in the long run (especially if/when I start sharing with my sibling(s)), I've had almost no diaper rash, and Mommy says that babies in cloth diapers potty train much faster. I don't know what that is, but the PUs seem to like the idea.

If anyone wants to learn more about using cloth diapers, please contact the PUs. They'd love to help more people become comfortable with this method. And I want to play in and enjoy this cool world the same way all of you saw it, so thanks for listening.

Anyway, back to my update... At my 9 month check-up I was 30 inches long/tall, with an 18 inch head and weighed 20 lbs 12 ozs, then a month later I was about 22 lbs. I'm still in the 90th percentile for my height and 50th percentile for my weight and head size. Yay me and my vegetarian diet.

I am walking much better and can stand all by myself. No couch, no walls, no nothin'--just me, my hands, feet and I'm off and running.... ouch... okay, walking. [Don't get me wrong, I love a good crawl as much as the next person, but walking is where it's at. It goes just under being carried or being thrown.] I'm waving and clapping my hands like its about to go out of style. If I want to get a wild response out of the PUs I just clap or stick out my tongue; and they really love it when I bend my legs and bobble my head -- they call it "dancing". They are my puppets.

(My Monday) daycare is less scary. The other kids are kinda cool when they're not bumping into me and knocking' me over. Plus it's just a cool place to hang out. There are so many toys. I didn't know they were for me too. Sweet. That's me with Leilani, my daycare lady.

Auntie Nikki had a birthday party. Neat idea: boating, laughing, singing and dancing just for keeping it real on the mortal coil. I dig it. It was a lot of fun. I stayed up so late watching everyone have fun. Plus, Auntie Nik may have been the star outside the boat cabin, but inside, it was all me. I danced with Auntie Carin who nearly put me to sleep. Normally, that would be awesome, I love the napping, but I was having fun watching everyone. What's funny, though, is that it seemed for a while that she almost put herself to sleep.

My puppets.

We went to the beach again. I wanna go more. It was so peaceful. Mom, Dad and I walked the beach and when we came back I took a nap.

I've been sleeping much better through the night. I play better on my own -- I like my rings. I can put down a lot of food now, and I've added hummus and watermelon to my list of yummies.

I love bubbles! Daddy and Auntie Nikki sometimes use the fan in the kitchen to throw the bubbles all over the downstairs. I wonder where those glistening spheres go when I touch them. It's so cool to watch them and to watch the doggies eat them. I've tried to eat them--not very tasty. Maybe I'll leave them for the doggies to eat. Maybe.

Let's see, what else...climbing the stairs is so much fun. I like going up. For a while I didn't even bother with going down. As of about May 1st, I liked going down the stairs too. Not as safely as going up, as I like to do this skiing thing down; that scares the crap out of the PUs, but I enjoy it. I even climbed a few steps up a step ladder before mommy stopped me. I was so tall. Hee hee.

Nona showed up again. She is so much fun. She's always so happy. She talks and sings to me in funny sounds. (The PUs call it the French, or something.) We spend quite a bit of time together.

Everyone finished their schools. Auntie Nik got her certificate, Mommy finished her semester's class and Daddy finished another semester. Seems like this school stuff lasts a really long time. I guess they must like it if they're still doing it though.

When we don't go to the beach, the PUs (including Nona these days) set up the sprinkler in the back yard for me. It's kind of a love-hate relationship since the water is so cold. But it's good, kinda thrilling. I'll let you see for yourselves.

As always make sure you check out my albums to see new photos that have been added. I can't wait to read your comments!

I got some hairs cut

I got my first hairs cut back forever ago (March 3rd.) The PUs decided that the hairs that fell past my eyes were too long, so they cut them.

I kinda like it. My hair was tickling and getting in my eyes before. Plus, more people recognize me as a boy now. Tell me what you think.

Takin' A Hike...

Some fun stuff has been going on...

I've realized that all the funny sounds the PUs make actually mean stuff. Some of the "words" are starting to make sense to me now. I'm happy about that. I see a lot of potential usefulness there.

I have teeth! They started by coming up from the bottom--four of 'em--and now four are coming down from the top to meet them. I like them. They help me eat stuff. Like broccoli!

From Teldyn's Second Album

We went on a hike yesterday to Ka'ena Point with some folks from the University. The PUs put me in a rucksack so I didn't have to crawl. We walked to the north-western most point of the island, and we saw some whales and a monk seal! The PUs say those are endangered because there are only about 800 left in the world, but that sounds like a lot to me.

From Teldyn's Second Album

The beach had very yummy rocks. I tried to taste as many as I could while we were there. I napped on the way back to the car.

From Teldyn's Second Album

And the biggest, funnest news of all... Well, I'll let the video speak for itself:

Walking is super fun!! Nona suggested that the PUs get me my own pair of hiking boots for the next hike. I think that's a great idea! Yeah, don't worry about carrying me, Dad. I got this. Haha!

Veggies and Valentines

Mommy and Daddy want everyone to know, especially Mommy's family, that I am eating fruits and veggies and I really like 'em. I even eat things mommy doesn't like. In the past few months I've been eating (purple) Okinawan sweet potatoes, mushrooms, beets, broccoli, butternut squash, avocados, carrots, corn, pumpkin, green beans, peas, snap peas, sweet potato, banana, asian pears, strawberries, celery, potatoes, bell peppers, and even a little bit of garlic and onions.

On Valentines Day, Mommy, Daddy and I went to Lanikai Beach. For my followers, that is the same beach I did the faceplant at. Maybe mommy wanted to see me do a faceplant in person. Who knows. Anyway, we woke up at my normal wake up time, 5am to go to the beach to watch the sunrise. We walked on the beach. Yup, we. Check out the photos. I walked while flanked by PUs. It was pretty neat, especially when the water would come close to me, they'd pick me up over the waves. Hee hee. That was cool. Mommy and Daddy switched off being photographers and at one point daddy even let me take a photo. It came out pretty good I think, except daddy was holding the camera all crooked, so it's slanted and stuff. Anyway, check out the photos and I hope you all had a great V-day.

Lanikai Beach

Daddy took Auntie Nik and I to the beach today. We went to Lanikai Beach on the east side of the island. Our beach adventure had an interesting start. Auntie Nik and Daddy were spreading out a blanket on the sand and Auntie Nik leaned forward with me in the sling and I fell/rolled out onto the blanket. I was fine, but was temporarily confused how I got down there so fast. Auntie Nik and Daddy thought that was the funniest thing ever.

I really like Lanikai Beach; that sand is so smooth. How smooth is it you ask? Well... it's so smooth that I was able to crawl all over it and not get hurt. That's better than the carpet. At one point I even fell face first into the sand, but I didn't care. Laughs were had by all.

Well I need to eat and Daddy thinks I need a bath.... we'll see about that.

2010 Already... and a few days from my 7th month birthday!

I have a lot to catch you up on.  So let's get the big stuff out of the way: Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!!  Now that that's done... Since I haven't written since October, I'm going to try to fill you in without overwhelming you.  Here goes.

NOVEMBER
Nona came back!  But then I left.  I went to see Mommy's family in Oregon for Thanksgiving.  That was so cool--quite literally, that place is cold.  It finally made sense why people wear clothes, and lots of 'em.  It was also my first time on an airplane.  We had a layover in San Fransisco.  Mommy said, "watch him while I'm gone.  Make sure no one takes him."  And even though I did just what she said and held onto Daddy's hair until she got back (with my newly acquired gripping skills), she seemed a little disappointed by something.

From Teldyn's First Photo Album

In Oregon I met lots of family: Grandma Dee, Uncle Chris, Aunt Sarah, my cousin Payton--she was really nice.  Payton helped Mom take care of me and even brought me her old swing to use while I stayed in Oregon.  It had a lot of lights. I met Uncle John--he had a loud voice, a fuzzy face and was kinda scary.  We eventually went to the ranch where I met Great Grandma and Grandpa Bates, Grandpa Wayne and lots of cousins. I even got to see Payton again.  met Mom's friend Megan and her daughter, Aidan--she's only five months older than me.  I also met Jess, Steve, Daisy and Dugan. Daisy really loves to talk--she makes it seem so easy!

Payton and Me From Teldyn's First Photo Album

Mom seemed really happy to see her family; Dad was distracted and stressed out about his homework; and I really liked being held by so many new people.  It was a great trip and ended with another plane ride, weeeeeeee!

DECEMBER
Nona bought me cool stuff for Hanukkah: a walker, a high chair, and bumpers for my crib.  The walker was a little tricky at first, especially on the carpet, but I've got the hang of it now!  Watch out toes and doggies, here I come, Vrooooom!

Dad seemed to get more distracted and stressed by his papers... And Aunty Nikki wasn't around as much--working, I guess.

Grandpa Mike came to Hawaii too!  And by the 18th, Dad was all normal and smiley again.  Phew!  Plus, that's the day we went on another plane ride, but this time it was really short and the rest of the family came too.  We went to the Big Island for a long weekend.  It was really cool over there.  Dad and I went on walks every morning, we ate at a fancy restaurant where everyone seemed to like me lots, we went up a mountain where I got to use my winter coat, and the coolest thing was the hot pond.  It was this giant man-made pond, that was only a little salty, and super-warm.  I stayed in there for so long swimming around with the family.  I was a super prune by the time Mom dragged me out of there.

Yummy Mommy Toes From Teldyn's First Photo Album

Christmas was fun.  I got to play with wrapping paper, and then the whole family went up to the North Shore where we met Connie, Lee, Emalee, John, Meena, and Jasper.  I got to watch a lot of them go surfing.

I went to tea with the ladies in Waikiki and met a girl.  She's only 2 days younger than me.  I'd have asked her for her number, but I don't know how to use a phone... or talk... so that will have to wait.  I also went to see a show called Stomp.  They gave me some great ideas on stuff that I can make a lot of noise with.  As soon as I perfect my grippy, I'm gonna get right to practicing.

JANUARY
New Years was interesting.  Not that I've lived through a whole one yet, but it sure seemed like a big deal to everyone else--lots of big booms and flashes.  Even I could tell that something special was going on.

I like going to stores.  Dad pushes me all over the place, spinning me around and behind his back. A few times we nearly knocked stuff off the shelves.  Ha ha!  Awesome.

At my January check-up, I was super-tall for my age (6 months), and average weight.  Then those doctor jerks pricked me... multiple times.  Not awesome.

The check-up was the same day that Nona and G-Pa Mike said goodbye to me, and weren't back when I woke up in the morning.  I've seen them on the Skype machine, though.  In fact, I saw them today and they watched me crawl!  That's right.  I'm crawling now.  I finally figured out that the key is the knee--cute little mnemonic device, eh?  I'm not as speedy as I am in my walker, but it's easier to get right close to stuff and grab it this way.  I feel like this will come in handy.  Get it, handy?  Ha ha!  

I went to the movies the other day... well, it was actually "Movie Night" at Uncle Lee and Connie's house, but it was on a gigantor TV screen.  I wasn't really into the movie they were watching; I just wanted to talk.  And talk.  And talk.  (FYI, I still consider it to be talking if no one else seems to understand me.)  Lee and Connie's had some nice acoustics for speeches.

Another day, I got to meet some people that Aunty Nikki works with.  They were nice.  Aunty Nikki says that Patti has a crush on me.  I don't know what that means, but it kinda sounds like it hurts.

Well, thanks for catching up with me. I'm looking forward to the year ahead. Things change fast around here, so check in when you can. Laters.

Catch ya on the flip side! From Teldyn's First Photo Album