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!!

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!