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!!

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!