And Baby Makes Three: September 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Lookalikes and Bad Reports at School

This is me at 2 looking like a boy

Everyone, and I mean, everyone always tells me how much Teddy looks and acts like Adrian. Well, I am sure that is true, but then my Mom brought me some photos of me when I was two. I think the evidence speaks for itself....(My friend Amanda was also kind enough to point out that it may be because his mannerism are so much like Adrian that it influences the choice. Hey, no offense here, because lately, Teddy is a disaster so I am happy to pass that off to Adrian.)

Me with my Cousin Tara (whose son is also a lookalike)

Tell me that this is not Teddy

Bad Reports:
Then there was also the dreaded day we thought was coming, Teddy's first bad report from school. Apparently this whole terrible two's thing has gone from just being mean to Mommy to sometimes acting out at school. I kept asking if they had witnessed it, but nothing was coming out, then came yesterday's report. I will let it speak for itself. I am just hoping that this will pass as quickly as it came. ( I love the part where he cries when they talk to him about his behavior, which I think is his way of trying to charm you out of punishing him....sneaky boy.)

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The things that are Teddy

Teddy,

I have not really had time to write you a letter recently, but I thought this was as good a time as any. You are really getting up there, you know 2 years old is the beginning of a whole new world. In all honesty lovey, I cannot believe it has been two years. It seems like literally a minute ago I was pregnant in the August heat waiting for you to arrive and here you are now, a little man. You went from being that blobby little (well, let's be honest, you were a big baby) baby to this walking, talking, tantrum throwing, hugging and kissing little man. I just marvel everyday at what you are learning and what you are picking up from the world. Like today for example, you decided to start screaming the word "Booger" out complete with demonstration in case I was not clear what you mean by booger. You are just so funny.

You love to sing. Even when you are upset, you like to sing. I have no idea where this came form but sometimes when we are just being quiet, I can hear you humming you favorite songs (either Pop goes the Weasel, or the Sad Little Puppy song). You also love to give people hugs. You are quite social and you especially love your family. My favorite part of every day is when I come in the door and you run to me for a hug--it literally makes my day.

You are not a great sleeper. I have no idea what we did wrong, but you are still not a great sleeper. But I love that when you wake up in the middle of the night, you ask for us, Mama, Dada, and one of us comes to you.

You have a very mischievous side to you. Your face has a particular look when you are about to do something and hope not to be caught. I laugh at you and gasp at the same time because I am not sure where you get both the idea and the courage for some of your stunts. You were crawling and walking early and you have not stopped since that time. You are learning to play tennis now and make contact with the ball. Sometimes you prefer to play golf with a tennis racket and do the best Johnny Mac we have ever seen with a racket, but most of the time, you really just want to hit the ball and see us clap for you.

You have been telling me a lot about your girlfriends from school and your best buds. You seem to really be enjoying being around other people. I can tell you that you get that from me; I love doing things with other people and I love my friends so dearly and I am sure you will too. Always remember that the measure of a man is what he does when no one is looking and when he does not have to do anything.

You like to entertain everyone. You make noises, play with their faces and do funny things for a laugh. Sometimes I think you don't even know why its funny but you know others are laughing so you do it more. I love this about you and I hope you never lose that exuberance.

The things that make you Teddy are the things I love most about you. You really are out little man. We cannot wait to see what you will become but I am excited to be there for it.

Love always and forever,

Your Momma

Teddy aka The Natural Disaster Azer's 2nd Birthday

Ready for Tennis!

Well, I would be lying if I did not admit that I have a "flair for the dramatic" and it appears that Teddy's may have inherited that same streak--in spades if his 2nd birthday week is any indication. It is certainly unheard of in the DC area to have an earthquake, and well, to have a 5.9, it is probably a once in a lifetime event, but to follow that up with a Hurricane named Irene, well, that is just Mother Nature acknowledging a truth we know all too well, Teddy is a force of nature! (My personal belief is that Teddy ordered this up just to make sure EVERYONE knew it was his birthday so they would not forget but I am never sure what all that babble really is....)

Not Happy at all!

Preschool Party

Well, this one did not go quite as planned. I picked up my parents, GrandNan and Pawpaw, who flew in just in time for this party and we rushed over to celebrate with cupcakes. We got there and lo and behold, Teddy was NOT happy, in fact, that would be an understatement. He wanted to GO HOME and he wanted to GO HOME NOW, no cupcake, no singing, no laughing, let's go people. So we ended up leaving in the middle of that one because those other kids were loving those cupcakes and who am I to disturb a great cupcake. As soon as we got to the car, he was fine, as if nothing has happened and he was readdy to hang out with GrandNan and Pawpaw...Weird.

Birthday Extravaganza

Teddy's 2nd Birthday extravaganza was to be held at the tennis center at the Club, followed by music with Groovy Nate and cupcakes. (The Club literally asked me to cancel the party at 11:30 that morning and I almost blew a gasket, who cancels 3 hours before a party, but we got it straightened out. I think people actually thought somehow a hurricane was going to be in Alexandria and did not realize that this would be less than any severe thunderstorm we have had this summer....oh well.)

Tennis Experts Jack "Bjorn Borg" and
Jesse "Sampras" Azer and Teddy "MacEnroe"

The Tennis party was so MUCH FUN! I give major credit to the pro's who were able to entertain kids from ages 2-7 for 45 minutes in an organized fashion. Teddy insisted on having his racket at ALL TIMES and tried out every single racket they had. Pearl and Mason were the tennis champs for sure, hitting everything in sight and showing some real skills to these kids. The adults got in on the action as well and I think tired themselves out instead of the other way around.

Avery Liou telling Teddy NO!

Groovy Nate was so fun and Jack led the team on this activity. The dancing and singing was heard by everyone in the Club and I am sure they all felt it too and were afraid it was an aftershock during "Pop Goes the Weasel" which is for sure Teddy's anthem. When he pops, he POPS! Teddy also decided that he liked this kid he saw in the mirror and he liked them so much he decided to kiss that kid A LOT! We would look over and see Teddy just kissing that reflection of himself over and over (I think he gets this from Adrian, I pretty much hate mirrors, I like to just pretend I know what I look like and stick with how I look in my mind vs. reality). Then he decided that he wanted to love on Miss Avery (the only toddler lady at this shindig) and he came over and asked for her hand, to which she replied loudly NO. Hilarious! Her Daddy was so proud.

Rocking out to Groovy Nate

Temptation is hard to resist and Teddy decided he wanted to skip dinner and get to the cupcakes (maybe he is my kid after all). Every time I turned my back, he had a new cupcake in his hands. So I did what every Mother would do, I sent him to his Father with his bright red sticky hands! Needless to say, he slept well and basically asked us to put him to bed early! We genuinely appreciate everyone who came to the party, sent us notes or called to say Happy Birthday to Teddy!

Things I Have Learned

Regardless of what party I plan (my wedding, a brunch, Teddy's 2nd Birthday) some weather event is going to interfere. I need to somehow fake out Mother Nature and pick one date, then change to mix her up. I have also learned that my child has a "lot of energy" as compared to other children. He likes to express himself in many different ways, by screaming, crying and dropping to the ground and slamming his fists and kicking his feet. (Wonder where he gets this from? As I look around innocently.) My Mother says he is going to be a "corker" and I am not sure what that means but he is our little (natural) disaster and we love and adore him! Watch out world, Hurricane Teddy coming through! If you are patient, God will reward you with more than you ever thought possible. Thank you for teaching me that Teddy.

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY TEDDY! We love you more than we can say and more than you will ever know! You are a precious gift, tantrums and all, and we love your spunk and cannot wait to plan your next birthday already. Much move, Mommy and Daddy

P.S. Your stats have improved, 26.3 pounds (35%), and 34.5 inches tall (50%) as of your 2nd birthday wellness checkup! May God continue to bless us with your good health!