Photo update . . .

Hey Peeps!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the PUs have updated the photo albums again. They added a few to Naelahl’s birth album and lots from our recent trip to Connecticut to the Two and Beyond album.

PS - Naelahl is nearly six months old! Fast, no?

5 Months Already?

Wow, it’s been a long time. Lots has happened. Hmmm ... I had to say goodbye to the dinosaurs at the museum because they had to go to a new home. I also started school. I didn't like it much, at first, but now I ask to stay longer when the PUs come to pick me up. I have so much fun playing with the "big people" teachers - Ms. Heather, Ms. Shantel, and Ms. Mahina - and with my friends - Yazmeen, Lionel, Kaedyn, and Jackson.

My new favorite movie is Kung Fu Panda and my new favorite game is Kung Fu. I've been trying to teach Naelahl, but she doesn't seem to really understand her hands yet.

Naelahl is very happy. She had her 4 month check up: 15 lbs, 25 inches, and super healthy. She likes to blow raspberries a lot and laughs and smiles, too. She likes it when I sing Edelweiss, Mary Poppins’ Stay Awake, Twinkle Twinkle, and other songs to her. When she's in her walker, I help push her to where mommy is, talk to her, and hand her toys when she drops them. Mommy says she'll learn to move her walker forward soon. She's already getting pretty good at going backwards, but then she gets stuck. She also takes baths with me sometimes and laughs when she feels the water. Her first two teeth are coming in so she likes to chew on things; especially Daddy’s fingers.

We all went on a trip in airplanes to Connecticut to see Nona and Grandpa Mike. We went on several big planes that went up up in the sky and got very loud. They were really fun – I got to run around and meet new friends on the plane. In the airports Mommy and I tried to keep up with Daddy and Naelahl while they were on the people movers. In one airport, I saw the best thing of all – a brachiosaurus! It’s skeleton reached all the way to the ceiling and I got to touch its feet and stand under its belly. It was so big! Fortunately, we got see it several times since our plane was delayed 3.5 hours.

At Nona’s house, I got to play with all of Daddy’s cool, old toys. He had a kitchen, a rocking horse, lots of cars, a garbage truck, and even more cool stuff. Several times we walked through the woods to the playground near Nona’s house. I really liked the climbing wall, big slide, and swings.

Nona also threw us a party – lots of people, some of whom grew up with Daddy and Auntie Niki, came to the party. They liked me and Naelahl. We got some cool books and generous gifts. But, more importantly, I got to eat chips and cake! I asked for more every meal after that.

Before we left for Connecticut, Auntie Nik and Uncle Jarrett came home. They've been back for a while now, and I have so much fun with them.

I'm starting to get these letter things down. I know H, h, T for Teldyn, M for Mommy, D for Daddy, N for Niki, and A because it has a triangle.

Although I know quite a few dinosaurs, I’ve also decided my favorite dinosaurs are tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops, pachycephalosaurus, hadrosaurs – in general – and pterosaurs. They all died. But I still like them.

Mommy says my readers may want to know more about Naelahl. So, here goes – she can sit up but falls over after a while. She really likes to stand and is a good dancer when Uncle Jarrett or Daddy help her. She cries sometimes, and I let the PUs know that it’s because she’s cold, scared, sad, hungry, or tired. Sometimes they agree with me and sometimes I take matters into my own hands – by getting her a blanket, telling her she’s okay and that she isn’t alone, getting a wipe to wipe her chin, giving her a toy, or just singing to her and rocking her in her car seat. The PUs mean well, but they don’t seem to be able to diagnose the problem as quickly as me; they still have a lot to learn. Also, she’s really great at chasing me, tickling me, and knocking me over.

More Photos

Mommy posted more photos of Naelahl and me in the 2 and Beyond folder. Enjoy :)

Photo Update . . .

The PUs finally got new web albums up! They're on the left-hand side of my blog page. Enjoy!

2 Years old and lots more

Ok fans, I know it’s been a while, but we’ve had so much going on. I’ll cover the important stuff first. My baby sister Naelahl Sarah Lorraine Brodie arrived on 20 May. Mommy and Daddy had to stay at the hospital for a few days. I didn’t like that they weren’t at home; the first night I woke up wanting to see them, but Nona said the hospital was closed so I told her to "open it." Full sentences come in handy sometimes, don’t they? Anyway, back to my baby sister – she’s cute and I like her. I make a point of reminding the PUs every chance I get by asking to hold her,

singing to her, kissing and hugging her, and helping them take care of her. She weighed 9lbs 2oz and was 21inches long when I first met her at the hospital. She has really tiny hands and feet and blue eyes. She’s nearly 6 weeks old already and has already gotten bigger. I think it’s because she eats and sleeps so much.

I’m back in swim lessons now. I can swim really good but have forgotten how to float; the PUs tell me I can have more fun at the pool if I get my float back but I love the pool so much already that it’s hard to imagine having even more fun there.

We’ve had a lot of visitors, too. Nona, Grandpa Mike, and Aunty Niki all came for Daddy’s graduation. Everyone sure seemed to think it was a big deal – Daddy even had to wear a special green nightgown with a funny hat. Everyone else was wearing them, too, though so he was hard to find in the crowd. Anyway, now Daddy is officially a historian. Or something like that. Nona and Grandpa Mike stayed till after Naelahl was born so that they could keep me company while Mommy and Daddy were in the hospital.

I’ve learned to count and I can nearly sing the entire ABCs by myself – though I prefer Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I sing both to Naelahl when she’s being changed; she seems to like them.

I met a new PU called Aunty Martha. She lives with Gramma Grace and I love going to her house. She has a fish that hides and we catch geckos, feed birds, count stairs, and have a great time. I can’t wait to go back.

I also got to spend a lot of time with my friends and neighbors. They are a great bunch; we had a big birthday party for one of my friends and then there was a block party and then my birthday party.

Nona, Mommy, Daddy, Naelahl and I went to the Bishop Museum and we saw lots of big dinosaurs that moved their heads, tails, mouths, and teeth. They were really scary; fortunately, I clung to Daddy and Mommy to keep them from biting me. After a while though, I realized they hadn’t bitten anyone, so then I took Nona back so that I could show them all to her. I liked them when I left and still talk about them a lot. Mommy, Daddy, Naelahl and I just went back the other day and I was still scared at first but after a while I was pulling Mommy around wanting to see the "big dinosaur" (T-rex,) the "mommy dinosaur" (apotosaurus/brontosaurus -like sizemasaurus.) Mommy even taught me to say triceratops.

We also went to the zoo again. We've now been twice in about 3 weeks. I love seeing the "elephants, diraffes, zebas, lions, big turtles, monkeys, parrots, famingos, crocidohs", and so many other animals. This last time we went to a new part that I'd never been to before. It was a special place just for kids. There was a petting zoo and a really big fish tank for some really really big fish. They're called koi.Also at the zoo, Daddy showed me how to get really really close to a peacock.

My birthday party was a lot of fun. "Uncle" Ojay drew chalk dinosaurs for me, Mommy made a cake with a dinosaur on it and even put dinosaur pictures up everywhere. Just about all of my neighborhood friends came by and had lots of fun with me. I really like this birthday party idea. Especially the cake I'd never really had a piece of cake before. I want to have more very soon.

Well, I hope this helps you see what I've been up to recently. I hope to read your comments soon.

bye

Quick update (more detailed one soon)

My Baby Sister . . .

From Teldyn Tells All

After months of hearing about her and telling her to come out of Mommy’s tummy, my baby sister finally arrived at the hospital on Friday 20 May. Her name is Naelahl Sarah Lorraine Brodie; she weighed 9lbs 2oz and was 21 inches long. When she came out, the pediatrician exclaimed “She’s perfect!” She has blue eyes and really tiny hands and feet and ears. I like pointing them out. I visited her, Mommy and Daddy in the hospital until they were ready to come home. Now she’s been home for almost a month and I love having her here. She’s fun to hold, to kiss, to hug, to sing to, and just to watch. She cries a bit but then I tell her she’ll be okay and I give her more hugs. She eats and sleeps a lot, too.

Here is a family portrait. These and other pictures will soon be added to the second album.

From Teldyn Tells All

21 - nearly 22 months old!

Wow - so much to talk about. I went to my first birthday party over the weekend; there were lots of kids there, but most seemed way too focused on boring things like cakes and presents. I liked the bubbles, the parachutes, the bikes, the balls, and especially the water fountain! They were so much more interesting - and the water fountain was cold! I especially enjoyed eluding Mommy while making a run for it.

Let's see - new developments:

I love riding tricycles and Uncle Ojay (our neighbor) even got me one of my own - it's super cool with a bin on the back for carrying and dumping things - like balls, leaves, sticks, rocks, flowers, crayons, chalk - you get the idea. And best of all, sometimes Daddy will ride it and let me stand on the back! Daddy uses the pedals, but he doesn't seem to go much faster than I do when flintstoning with my feet. I've also met quite a few kids around the neighborhood who sometimes let me ride their big bikes and scooters - with Mommy and Daddy's help, of course.

There are also several babies about and I get to hold them when I sit down and say please; they have such tiny ears, noses, hands, fingers, hair, toes, feet, and more! I really love holding them and helping Mommy hold them, especially baby Keilani. Sometimes I go to check on them when I hear them crying. I know from going to daycare that they usually need toys or their pacifier, so I'm always on the alert.

New words - uhm, there's a lot. And I also like the occasional sentence every now and then. I know how to say my name and tell people when it's my turn. I finally started saying both "elephant" and "rooster" since it seemed to make the PUs happy (I still make the noises, though). I'm getting quite good at this whole talking thing - for example, we Skyped with Grandma Dee and I told her all about pumpkins while I helped Mommy gut them. Just yesterday (Monday, April 10) I Skyped with Aunty Nikki and Uncle Jarrett.

I've learned how to get my own tangerines from the counter, how to peel them, and how to eat them. I admit - that fruit basket idea is awesome! It has bananas, tomatoes sometimes, tangerines, pears, and every other type of deliciousness one could want! I can't wait for Mommy or Daddy to look the other way - that's right, look out fruit -- here I come!

I jump off of anything and everything I can climb, even if it's a lot taller than me. I also like swinging on the rope swing outside our yard, rolling down the hill with Daddy, and racing on the tricycle down our long road.

I've gotten really good at helping Mommy and Daddy with washing my diapers (pushing and carrying the buckets and moving stuff to and from the washer and dryer), unloading the dishwasher, taking dry clothes (and diapers) to the couch, picking up, putting groceries away, feeding the dogs, giving Lili her pill, baking (I like to stir), singing, napping, and sleeping the night through (7:30p - 6:00a.)

The PUs have instituted this strange idea called "Time Out." I have to say, I'm not a fan. But it seems like if I stay away from the stove, don't hit, don't climb on top of my toy shelf, and a few other things, then I don't have to worry much. I have to admit, it really cleared up "Hot" for me. Now, even in the bath, I give one of my fish a time out for touching something hot. It seems to make Mommy laugh and helps me remember about the stove - it's HOT. 

Don't forget to check out my photo album!

18, nearly 19 months old

Hi everyone.  Sorry it's been so long. Wow, time flies!  Looks like the last update, besides Auntie Nikki's tear-jerker, was about 6 months ago. There's a lot to catch up on. 

I'm still a big healthy boy: 34.5" long (95th percentile and 28lbs 2oz heavy (75th percentile).

I finished swimming lessons not too long after the last entry; August 20th to be exact. Mom wanted to make sure I was as water ready as she hoped I'd be. So, with the instructor's permission, she hovered me just over the water and dropped me in the pool. It was scary, weird, but fun. I popped up feet first, kinda kicking Daddy in the face. Then I thought Daddy was going to pick me up, but then Aisha (the instructor) told him to back away and I went straight to my float. 

Mommy and everyone else clapped and congratulated me, so that was pretty cool. When Nona and Grandpa Mike came in August we went to the neighborhood pool and they watched me swim. Nona was so happy to see me floating and swimming that she started crying. I guess the novelty of me swimming wore off after a while because I haven't been swimming recently. However, I do love running and climbing. 

My climbing skills have improved so much that a few months ago, Mommy took off one of the walls to my crib because I was scaling it on my own. Also because of my climbing, Auntie Nikki bought a bookshelf for my toys and books instead of the play-yard that wasn't containing me anyway. 

From Teldyn's Second Album

Now, I don't have to climb into the play-yard anymore to get my toys. So the nest-like papasan chair is back in the living room.  Peahi really likes it in there. Sometimes I climb in there too. It is so fun when Daddy rotates and tips it around when I'm in it. He says it's like a Tilt-a-Whirl or something. I have no idea what he's talking about, but it sure sounds fun. Do you know that if you pull out the drawer under the oven, you can stand on it and then see over and reach onto the stove. The PUs always seem to flip out as they put me back on the floor when they find me there. I don't get it. 

With Mommy and Daddy's help I recently taught myself how to jump. I like jumping off the couch onto the floor or into Daddy's arms. I also like jumping on beds, especially because when on the bed, even falling on my face is funny.

I like to dance. For a while I was dancing quite a bit at home, but then I dunno... I'm just not as into it anymore.  Anyway, here's a clip of me getting' down.  I really like acoustic guitar.  

I love animals. I have a giant animal book encyclo--something or other. Anyway, it's a big book. Mommy helped teach me a lot of the animals in it. I can recognize and describe pictures of cheetah, hippo, crocodile, frog, fish, gecko, dolphins (eee eee eee), monkey, elephants (berooo), rhino, turtle, emu and many others.

Nona and Grandpa Mike were back here again. Nona showed up before Thanksgiving. She and I watched animals on her computer, and she watched me a lot as Mommy and Daddy were busy with school. 

I went on a whale watch with Mommy, Daddy, and Nona.  It was really fun to be on a boat and see whales up close.  

From Teldyn's Second Album

On Wednesday I took a shower with Daddy. I was pretty stoked by the whole thing since he was able to shower while I kept myself entertained by getting wet and scrubbing the walls with a big brush I found. Then once I was all dressed I walked down the stairs all by myself. I used the wall to support myself, but yeah, me, stairs. Ha ha!

On Wednesday night there was a pretty serious and scary storm. It rained all night and sometimes the night sky lit up and then a big scary noise came. It made me cry. At one point Daddy came in my room because I was crying. While he was there the loud noise came again. I got scared, started crying again and hugged Daddy.  For some weird reason, he started laughing. I think the noise is super scary, but I'm glad that Daddy doesn't.  

And the biggest, but slightly dated news for some is that  it looks like I'm going to be getting a sister around early May.

I guess my New Years resolution is to make sure that Mommy and Daddy are better about these updates.  I hope you had a great holiday season and that I will get to see you all in the coming year.

Bye

From Aunty Nikki

Dear Teldyn,

You said "bye," but this one is different. I moved out. You probably don't quite know what that means. But basically I'm sorry for those times when you look in my room or to the couch saying "Nikki" and don't find me. I'm also sorry for taking my iPhone with the "gecko" and "octido" [octopus]. Moving away from you is the hardest thing I remember ever having to do. I'm gonna miss you so much. I think I'll even miss changing your poopy diapers! Seriously, that's how much.

I'm gonna go become a better aunty by gaining experiences and skills to help make this world a better place for you. And I'm gonna start by living in a place called New York. It's so very different than Hawaii, and it's super cool in it's own way. I can't wait to show it to you!

I know that you have the resiliency of a skinned knee, so I'm not so worried about you. (Not to mention that your two amazing parents will ensure that you'll always have as much attention and love as you can stand.)

Besides, while I don't live with you anymore, I'm not gone. I know you're getting good with the phone and Skype, so please keep in touch. And call me about the "small stuff." I want to hear you say "elephant," speak in sentences, learn to count, ride a tricycle, and the rest of it. I am still going to celebrate your milestones with you. In fact, I will be back to see you become a brother!

This will be a big responsibility for you, and I know you can handle it. You're so good at picking up after yourself and helping Mama and Dada with things around the house that this should be a piece of cake for you. Plus, you will be learning from a true master on how to be a supportive and protective big brother. Be patient if you feel you can't live up to his example. He's the best anyone has ever seen, and he's been at it for a lot longer than you.

I have cherished living with you and being one of your parental units. Each day is magic, filled with wonder and joy, a new adventure. You speak more words, find more answers, soak up more worlds--you're a different person everyday. Seeing you asleep in your car seat at the airport, I knew that I wouldn't see that version of you again. You will be so different next time I see you. It was sad and thrilling.

I'm so grateful that I was there for the first time you laughed, walked, played with bubbles and I was holding you when you first saw an octopus. Those things might not seem like huge deals to you, but they are for me.

I will really miss dancing with you, laughing with you, reading with you, discovering the world anew with you. You have provided me hours and hours of blissful memories and claimed your very own nook in my heart.

My Chubbobo, Grumpobo, Mister, Little Man, my Love... Thank you for all the hugs, fist bumps, kisses, smiles, and all the other cuter-than-cute ways you let me know that you love me back.

No matter how far away I am, I will always be your Aunty Nikki. So keep up the trumpeting and growling--I swear, I can hear you from here. Cockadoodledoooo!!