We're headed out on our 2-week long vacation in less than 12 hours :-)
I'll have sporadic internet access throughout, and will blog about our trip (with pictures!) as often as I can-- hopefully every night, or maybe every other night.
However, to keep things simple, I'm going to limit my entries to just one single blog, my Grab blog: http://blogs.grab.com/hellykwee
So be sure to check back on that page often. See you when we get back! :-)
Love,
Helly, Allan and Todd
Daddy gets smaller
As I am typing this, Todd is in the kitchen helping Daddy put toppings on a frozen pizza for lunch. Daddy was using a knife to cut olives and Todd was watching, observing that "When I'm bigger, I can use that."
I pointed out: "When you're bigger you can help Daddy make dinner."
Todd agreed, and offered his own spin: "When Daddy gets smaller he can make dinner with me!"
Hmmm... well, one way or another, whether Todd gets bigger or Daddy gets smaller, they'll be closer in size than they currently are, and Todd will definitely be in a position to help Daddy in the kitchen :-D
I pointed out: "When you're bigger you can help Daddy make dinner."
Todd agreed, and offered his own spin: "When Daddy gets smaller he can make dinner with me!"
Hmmm... well, one way or another, whether Todd gets bigger or Daddy gets smaller, they'll be closer in size than they currently are, and Todd will definitely be in a position to help Daddy in the kitchen :-D
Dental checkup
Had a very successful trip to the dentist this morning. Both Mommy and Todd were due for their six-month checkup. Mommy went first so she could demonstrate to Todd how easy and painless it was while the dentist scaled and polished her teeth. At first Todd was very wary and looked as if he were about to cry at the notion of being left alone in a seat in the corner while Mommy took her turn in the dentist's chair. But he slowly warmed to it, seeing the dentist banter with Mommy, and listened intently as the dentist explained what he was doing and even let him move the chair for a closer look.
When it was Todd's turn he was pretty brave. He clamored for Mommy to hold his hand, but he obeyed the dentist nicely when it came to opening wide and turning his head. He even got to hold a mirror so he could see what was going on in his mouth.
After Todd's turn was over, he looked at me and said "dentist cleaned my teeth". He had received the head of the rotating rubber brush used to polish his teeth, and held it up in his hand as he said, "with this!" He loved the balloon that the dentist blew up and decorated with a face, made from a latex glove. And of course, he got a brand new little toothbrush :-)
All in all, it was a good visit, and hopefully, when we go again in 6 months, Todd will remember how easy and worry-free it was :-)
When it was Todd's turn he was pretty brave. He clamored for Mommy to hold his hand, but he obeyed the dentist nicely when it came to opening wide and turning his head. He even got to hold a mirror so he could see what was going on in his mouth.
After Todd's turn was over, he looked at me and said "dentist cleaned my teeth". He had received the head of the rotating rubber brush used to polish his teeth, and held it up in his hand as he said, "with this!" He loved the balloon that the dentist blew up and decorated with a face, made from a latex glove. And of course, he got a brand new little toothbrush :-)
All in all, it was a good visit, and hopefully, when we go again in 6 months, Todd will remember how easy and worry-free it was :-)
Clean turtle!
This morning Todd was doing what all little boys do-- being mischievous and running and hiding from Oma as she attempted, in vain, to dress him.
He crept under the coffee table and refused to budge. Why? Because "I'm a turtle!"
So Oma tried to turn the tables (haha) on him and pointed out that since turtles are dirty, they need to be put outside, not allowed to scamper inside the house.
Todd thought about this for a moment, and then piped up with: "I'm a clean turtle!"
That boy will be a lawyer yet! :-D
He crept under the coffee table and refused to budge. Why? Because "I'm a turtle!"
So Oma tried to turn the tables (haha) on him and pointed out that since turtles are dirty, they need to be put outside, not allowed to scamper inside the house.
Todd thought about this for a moment, and then piped up with: "I'm a clean turtle!"
That boy will be a lawyer yet! :-D
Fixing car store
Last night, as I tucked Todd into bed, I gave him his pillow and then searched the whole house for his stuffed turtle. I couldn't find it, but promised him we'd look for it the next day. When I came home from work tonight, I found Todd happily playing with his stuffed turtle. I exclaimed, "Oh, you found it!" and asked him where it was. That's when he explained about how he found the turtle in my parents' new car, when they drove to the mechanic to pick up my Neon:
"It was in the new car. We go to get Mommy's car from the... from the... fixing car store!"
Rather apt description for a car mechanic's shop :-D
"It was in the new car. We go to get Mommy's car from the... from the... fixing car store!"
Rather apt description for a car mechanic's shop :-D
Morning hugs
This morning, as I was rushing about, getting ready for work, I dashed out the door so I could start my car's engine and let it run, warming up, for a few minutes while I went back in the house and finished getting ready.
Todd was drinking his morning milk on the couch when I ran out the door to do so, and he thought I was leaving for the day. He looked at me and said through his bottle: "Wait for me! I want a hug!"
I quickly pointed out that I was only starting the car and would be right back to give him a hug and kiss and bid him a proper goodbye before leaving for work :-)
Todd was drinking his morning milk on the couch when I ran out the door to do so, and he thought I was leaving for the day. He looked at me and said through his bottle: "Wait for me! I want a hug!"
I quickly pointed out that I was only starting the car and would be right back to give him a hug and kiss and bid him a proper goodbye before leaving for work :-)
Charlie Chaplin
Yesterday Todd woke up with a strange sort of wound above his lip, we're not sure exactly what it is, my mom suspects some sort of fungus. We're still a bit mystified as to the source. Next day (today) it got worse, darker: red and black instead of the light brown from Monday. But it's slowly getting better. Here's Todd, looking like he's wearing a Charlie Chaplin mustache:
Circles and Triangles
Todd has become adept at identifying the difference between men's and women's restrooms, with the universal shapes of triangles for the men's room and circles for the ladies' room:
When I took him to a public restroom the other day, he announced: "When I go with Mommy, I go to circle. When I go with Daddy, I go to triangle".
When I took him to a public restroom the other day, he announced: "When I go with Mommy, I go to circle. When I go with Daddy, I go to triangle".
Another fun weekend
... in Santa Barbara.
Friday Toddy went shopping at the grocery store, mall and K-Mart with Daddy, where he enjoyed playing in the toy section, esp with the colorful water guns. They tried to get a pizza for dinner but it was closed by the time they got there, so it was off to McDonald's instead.
Next day, Todd and Mommy enjoyed a trip to the Goleta Library while Daddy worked on campus. We had fun playing with the toys and picking out a few books to take home to read. He was eager to read them as soon as we got home, and I read one to him while he drank his afternoon milk before his nap.
Earlier that morning, Todd and Daddy went to the playground in the apartment complex, where Todd spied a tree with a hole in it, and asked Daddy what it was. When they arrived home, Todd regaled Mommy with an explanation of what they saw: "We went to squirrel house, and Daddy knock on the door, but squirrel wasn't home!"
Sunday morning, Todd awoke at 7am and crawled over Daddy, snuggling in the crook of his arm on the other side of him, and promptly falling back asleep :-) When Mommy entered the room at 7:30 to visit the bathroom, she squinted because she couldn't find the little boy anywhere-- until Daddy rolled over and pointed at the little man sleeping cozily in his arms.
Sunday afternoon Daddy and Todd visited K-Mart again and attempted yet again to grab a pizza for lunch-- to no avail, the pizza machine was broken, so it was yet another trip to McDonald's for food. Foiled again!
Todd enjoyed watching some of the videos we'd taken of him and uploaded to Mommy's computer-- both older and recent videos. Including the frog-head-butting video. Later that evening, he demonstrated the contents of the video to his stuffed turtle and tiger, and mimicked the words spoken in the video: "why are you bumping the frog?" "because it's so hard!" :-D
Friday Toddy went shopping at the grocery store, mall and K-Mart with Daddy, where he enjoyed playing in the toy section, esp with the colorful water guns. They tried to get a pizza for dinner but it was closed by the time they got there, so it was off to McDonald's instead.
Next day, Todd and Mommy enjoyed a trip to the Goleta Library while Daddy worked on campus. We had fun playing with the toys and picking out a few books to take home to read. He was eager to read them as soon as we got home, and I read one to him while he drank his afternoon milk before his nap.
Earlier that morning, Todd and Daddy went to the playground in the apartment complex, where Todd spied a tree with a hole in it, and asked Daddy what it was. When they arrived home, Todd regaled Mommy with an explanation of what they saw: "We went to squirrel house, and Daddy knock on the door, but squirrel wasn't home!"
Sunday morning, Todd awoke at 7am and crawled over Daddy, snuggling in the crook of his arm on the other side of him, and promptly falling back asleep :-) When Mommy entered the room at 7:30 to visit the bathroom, she squinted because she couldn't find the little boy anywhere-- until Daddy rolled over and pointed at the little man sleeping cozily in his arms.
Sunday afternoon Daddy and Todd visited K-Mart again and attempted yet again to grab a pizza for lunch-- to no avail, the pizza machine was broken, so it was yet another trip to McDonald's for food. Foiled again!
Todd enjoyed watching some of the videos we'd taken of him and uploaded to Mommy's computer-- both older and recent videos. Including the frog-head-butting video. Later that evening, he demonstrated the contents of the video to his stuffed turtle and tiger, and mimicked the words spoken in the video: "why are you bumping the frog?" "because it's so hard!" :-D
3-year well baby checkup
Oh, I forgot to blog last week about Todd's checkup last Thursday, 24 May. His vital stats:
Height: 39.5 inches (over 95th percentile)
Weight: 33 lb, 8 oz (75th percentile)
Got a shot on his leg, and though it hurt, he didn't cry. Went back on Tuesday to get the TB test shot on his arm. Again, I asked if it hurt, he said yes. But when I asked if he cried, he proudly proclaimed "No". He then went around the house using a plastic straw as a needle, poking everyone (including his stuffed animals) in the arm or leg, giving them "shots" :-D
Height: 39.5 inches (over 95th percentile)
Weight: 33 lb, 8 oz (75th percentile)
Got a shot on his leg, and though it hurt, he didn't cry. Went back on Tuesday to get the TB test shot on his arm. Again, I asked if it hurt, he said yes. But when I asked if he cried, he proudly proclaimed "No". He then went around the house using a plastic straw as a needle, poking everyone (including his stuffed animals) in the arm or leg, giving them "shots" :-D
Woe is me!
This video captures a sampling of what Todd looks/sounds like when he's in the throes of a "woe is me!" outburst, quite obviously in a ploy for sympathy. I mean, who could resist those pitiful, heart wrenching wails? :-P
Of course, it should come as no surprise that as soon as he's sufficiently distracted, the tears instantly subside. I sat at my desk to upload this video, and he moved from the sofa to me, burying his head in my lap and continuing his crying. As soon as I uploaded the video and started playing it on my computer, he lifted his head, tears all but gone, and watched quietly, intently... and amusedly :-)
Of course, it should come as no surprise that as soon as he's sufficiently distracted, the tears instantly subside. I sat at my desk to upload this video, and he moved from the sofa to me, burying his head in my lap and continuing his crying. As soon as I uploaded the video and started playing it on my computer, he lifted his head, tears all but gone, and watched quietly, intently... and amusedly :-)
Froggy Headaches
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video must be worth ten thousand. Little more needs to be added to this video I captured today with our digital camera. Don't you love the look on his face when he's asked "What are you doing?" :-D
Happy 3rd Birthday (again)!
Last weekend we enjoyed a quiet little family celebration of cake, ice cream and presents on our back patio. This weekend we ventured out of our apartment complex and enjoyed celebrating Todd's birthday in one of his favorite spots-- the Goleta Train Depot, with its little museum of the old station and caboose, as well as the little train ride!
Mommy, Daddy and Todd arrived at the park at lunchtime in order to set up. We laid out the appetizers and drinks, and kept a watchful eye on our phones as Oma and Opa, and Grandma and Grandpa Duaine phoned in with location updates. We picked a heck of a weekend to hold the party-- Memorial Day Weekend, not without its typical slew of crazy traffic.
Everyone arrived by 2pm, and we settled down for some snacks and conversation, while Todd took turns riding the train with everyone-- once with Daddy, once with Mommy, once with Opa, once with Oma, and once with Grandma Diane (he sat nicely with her while Mommy and Daddy sat behind)-- all throughout the afternoon.
We opened a big bunch of presents, where Todd received a stuffed tiger, a remote-control car, a soft baseball and bat, a coloring book, wooden do-it-yourself assembly kits (for a truck and an airplane), and erector set, a Spiderman outfit, and best of all-- a drum!
Afterward we headed to Zaffiro for dinner. Mommy made a quick detour to the apartment to grab the cake out of the fridge and bring it along to the restaurant so they could serve it to us after dinner.
We enjoyed a nice leisurely dinner, and then topped it all off with a delicious milk cake with strawberry filling-- decorated in a Finding Nemo design!
By the time we got home, we were pretty tired, but happy-- it had been a nice, enjoyable day and of course, the birthday boy had LOADS of fun.
Here he is enjoying his favorite toy-- the drums-- with great glee!
As always, the rest of the photos have been uploaded to the web album:
http://whistler.cs.ucsb.edu/linpha/viewer.php?albid=188&stage=3
Mommy, Daddy and Todd arrived at the park at lunchtime in order to set up. We laid out the appetizers and drinks, and kept a watchful eye on our phones as Oma and Opa, and Grandma and Grandpa Duaine phoned in with location updates. We picked a heck of a weekend to hold the party-- Memorial Day Weekend, not without its typical slew of crazy traffic.
Everyone arrived by 2pm, and we settled down for some snacks and conversation, while Todd took turns riding the train with everyone-- once with Daddy, once with Mommy, once with Opa, once with Oma, and once with Grandma Diane (he sat nicely with her while Mommy and Daddy sat behind)-- all throughout the afternoon.
We opened a big bunch of presents, where Todd received a stuffed tiger, a remote-control car, a soft baseball and bat, a coloring book, wooden do-it-yourself assembly kits (for a truck and an airplane), and erector set, a Spiderman outfit, and best of all-- a drum!
Afterward we headed to Zaffiro for dinner. Mommy made a quick detour to the apartment to grab the cake out of the fridge and bring it along to the restaurant so they could serve it to us after dinner.
We enjoyed a nice leisurely dinner, and then topped it all off with a delicious milk cake with strawberry filling-- decorated in a Finding Nemo design!
By the time we got home, we were pretty tired, but happy-- it had been a nice, enjoyable day and of course, the birthday boy had LOADS of fun.
Here he is enjoying his favorite toy-- the drums-- with great glee!
As always, the rest of the photos have been uploaded to the web album:
http://whistler.cs.ucsb.edu/linpha/viewer.php?albid=188&stage=3
Unbreakable Plastic
Last night I enjoyed a quiet evening with Toddy, we sat across from each other at the coffee table, enjoying bowls of ice cream together. Then Todd got up to get a napkin to wipe his face, returning with a napkin for Mommy. He then unfolded his napkin and placed it on his lap, and instructed Mommy to do the same (guess all those trips to restaurants have rubbed off on him!).
Afterward, he helped me wash dishes, rinsing silverware while I washed and rinsed everything else. What a fun night!
The cute Todd-ism for the night occurred when he spied a piece of glass on the floor. He asked what it was, and that's when I noticed it was a glass shard from a bowl my Mom had accidentally dropped on the floor earlier that day. This shard had shot into a corner, so she missed it when sweeping up the mess. I pulled out an identical, whole bowl from the cupboard and held it up next to the piece of glass. Then I explained to Todd that when you drop such a glass bowl on the floor, it shatters into pieces like the one he found.
He examined the glass piece studiously for a few seconds before looking back up and me and piping up with his logical conclusion:
"You can use a plastic bowl!"
Afterward, he helped me wash dishes, rinsing silverware while I washed and rinsed everything else. What a fun night!
The cute Todd-ism for the night occurred when he spied a piece of glass on the floor. He asked what it was, and that's when I noticed it was a glass shard from a bowl my Mom had accidentally dropped on the floor earlier that day. This shard had shot into a corner, so she missed it when sweeping up the mess. I pulled out an identical, whole bowl from the cupboard and held it up next to the piece of glass. Then I explained to Todd that when you drop such a glass bowl on the floor, it shatters into pieces like the one he found.
He examined the glass piece studiously for a few seconds before looking back up and me and piping up with his logical conclusion:
"You can use a plastic bowl!"
Don't Listen!
Yesterday while I was puttering around in the bathroom, I could hear Todd talking animatedly with Opa in the bedroom next door. Of course I didn't understand a word he was saying, as he was rapidly speaking Chinese, but once in a while he threw an English word in there and I could make out "Disneyland" and "balloons".
So I popped into the bedroom so I could get a better look/listen. Todd immediately ordered me: "Close the door. All the way!"
I pointed out that I just wanted to hear him telling Opa his stories!
To which Todd replied: "No! You talk to Oma" (Oma was in the kitchen)
I pressed on: "I can't listen to Pao-pao's stories?"
He said: "No!"
I asked "Why not!?"
His reply? "You listen Chinese!"
(in other words, he's speaking Chinese with Opa, which Mommy wouldn't understand anyway) :-D
So I popped into the bedroom so I could get a better look/listen. Todd immediately ordered me: "Close the door. All the way!"
I pointed out that I just wanted to hear him telling Opa his stories!
To which Todd replied: "No! You talk to Oma" (Oma was in the kitchen)
I pressed on: "I can't listen to Pao-pao's stories?"
He said: "No!"
I asked "Why not!?"
His reply? "You listen Chinese!"
(in other words, he's speaking Chinese with Opa, which Mommy wouldn't understand anyway) :-D
Happy 3rd Birthday!
Today we held a little family celebration in honor of Todd, who was born exactly 3 years ago today. We started off the day with Daddy taking Todd to the playground so Mommy could wrap his presents. After lunch, Daddy iced an angel food cake and we took the loot to the back patio, where we sang Happy Birthday, ate cake and ice cream (well, Todd favored the black cherry ice cream more than the sweet cake) and then the fun part-- opening presents!
Here he is unwrapping his first present:
We got him a small backpack, a couple of books (including a Bob the Builder popup book), a "Dragon Tales" VHS tape extolling the virtues of sharing, arm flotation rings for swimming, and a little toy set full of "Clever Builder" toys-- road signs, building tools, etc...
Here are the pictures from the day's events:
http://whistler.cs.ucsb.edu/linpha/viewer.php?albid=188&stage=3
And of course, the little man enjoyed holding up 3 fingers and proudly proclaiming, "Three!" whenever anyone asked how old he is now :-)
Here he is unwrapping his first present:
We got him a small backpack, a couple of books (including a Bob the Builder popup book), a "Dragon Tales" VHS tape extolling the virtues of sharing, arm flotation rings for swimming, and a little toy set full of "Clever Builder" toys-- road signs, building tools, etc...
Here are the pictures from the day's events:
http://whistler.cs.ucsb.edu/linpha/viewer.php?albid=188&stage=3
And of course, the little man enjoyed holding up 3 fingers and proudly proclaiming, "Three!" whenever anyone asked how old he is now :-)
Turtles
I am hopelessly enchanted with the stuffed turtle that Uncle Ron and Aunt Debbie brought back for Todd from their most recent trip to Hawaii. Here's a few cute Todd-isms related to his turtle.
This morning, as I picked him up out of the crib, he handed me his turtle and said, "You can sleep with turtle tonight". He then hugged his favorite pillow (security pillow?) to his chest and said "I sleep with pillow tonight". Yay for sharing! :-D
Now, unlike ordinary animals, turtles don't make a common noise we imitate. Not like a dog's "arf" or a cat's "meow" or a cow's "mooo". So, since the turtle is green and matches the myriad of stuffed frogs in the house, we've taken to making the turtle say "ribbit". Daddy keeps laughing at this notion, but plays along, most of the time. And of course, ALL stuffed animals can speak English like humans, when voiced by Mommy and Daddy :-)
So, last weekend, Todd was playing with his turtle and Mommy idly asked him, "What sound does a turtle make?" expecting him to respond with "Ribbit".
But no, "Turtles don't make a sound", said Todd.
Puzzled, I inquired further, and Todd explained: "Turtles can talk!"
Indeed they can-- it's called human-speak! :-D
Here's a pic I found of the turtle, along with his bigger and smaller brothers/sisters. Todd's is the same as the one on the left, the middle-sized turtle. Soooooo cute and huggable!!
This morning, as I picked him up out of the crib, he handed me his turtle and said, "You can sleep with turtle tonight". He then hugged his favorite pillow (security pillow?) to his chest and said "I sleep with pillow tonight". Yay for sharing! :-D
Now, unlike ordinary animals, turtles don't make a common noise we imitate. Not like a dog's "arf" or a cat's "meow" or a cow's "mooo". So, since the turtle is green and matches the myriad of stuffed frogs in the house, we've taken to making the turtle say "ribbit". Daddy keeps laughing at this notion, but plays along, most of the time. And of course, ALL stuffed animals can speak English like humans, when voiced by Mommy and Daddy :-)
So, last weekend, Todd was playing with his turtle and Mommy idly asked him, "What sound does a turtle make?" expecting him to respond with "Ribbit".
But no, "Turtles don't make a sound", said Todd.
Puzzled, I inquired further, and Todd explained: "Turtles can talk!"
Indeed they can-- it's called human-speak! :-D
Here's a pic I found of the turtle, along with his bigger and smaller brothers/sisters. Todd's is the same as the one on the left, the middle-sized turtle. Soooooo cute and huggable!!
Always the opposite
About a half hour ago I received a phone call from my mom and as soon as I picked up the receiver, but before I could even say "Hello?", I heard the distinct sounds of Todd wailing to high heaven, in the background.
My mom then launched into another blog-worthy story:
She was eating oatmeal for breakfast this morning, and Todd came up to her and watched her. She offered him some of hers: "Want some?" He said "No."
He kept looking at her, though, so she offered yet again: "Want some?" Again, he refused: "No. I want my own oatmeal!"
Okay, thought my mom, and finished her oatmeal so she could prepare a new bowl for him. As she scraped the last bits from her bowl, however, Todd peered into it and declared: "I want Oma's oatmeal!"
"I'll make some more for you" offered Oma.
"No! I want Oma's!!" insisted Todd, and began howling and crying in protest. That's when Oma decided to pick up the phone and share the sounds with Mommy :-D
And we chalk up yet another case of Todd being contrary... just for the sake of being contrary!
My mom then launched into another blog-worthy story:
She was eating oatmeal for breakfast this morning, and Todd came up to her and watched her. She offered him some of hers: "Want some?" He said "No."
He kept looking at her, though, so she offered yet again: "Want some?" Again, he refused: "No. I want my own oatmeal!"
Okay, thought my mom, and finished her oatmeal so she could prepare a new bowl for him. As she scraped the last bits from her bowl, however, Todd peered into it and declared: "I want Oma's oatmeal!"
"I'll make some more for you" offered Oma.
"No! I want Oma's!!" insisted Todd, and began howling and crying in protest. That's when Oma decided to pick up the phone and share the sounds with Mommy :-D
And we chalk up yet another case of Todd being contrary... just for the sake of being contrary!
Speaking of TV...
This morning, I got up just as Todd was finishing his morning bottle. I went into his room to retrieve the empty bottle and dress him, and we went through our usual "Good Morning. Did you sleep well?" routine.
He saw that I was already dressed, and then the following conversation ensued:
Todd: Where are you going?
Mom: Mommy's going to work!
Todd: And....
Mom: And Pao-Pao stays home. Stay home with Oma. Play with Oma, read with Oma.
Todd: Noooo
Mom: No!? Then what?
Todd: Watch TV with Ama-Ama!
:-D
He saw that I was already dressed, and then the following conversation ensued:
Todd: Where are you going?
Mom: Mommy's going to work!
Todd: And....
Mom: And Pao-Pao stays home. Stay home with Oma. Play with Oma, read with Oma.
Todd: Noooo
Mom: No!? Then what?
Todd: Watch TV with Ama-Ama!
:-D
Sneaking alone time
Yesterday Oma had some errands to run-- library books to return, grocery shopping to do, etc... Todd was watching a children's TV show with Ama-Ama in her room, and Oma stepped in to ask if he wanted to go along. Much to her surprised, he immediately proclaimed, "No!"
Oma sat for a few more minutes watching the TV program with them, during which time Todd kept pushing her and saying "You go shopping!"
So, when the program ended she switched the channel to a boring CSPAN-like station before turning the TV off, knowing full well that Todd would turn the TV back on once she left.
When she got back home, Ama-Ama confirmed that Todd had indeed switched the TV on, got bored (he doesn't know about changing channels, yet), and within 15 minutes, started wandering around the house looking for Oma, clamoring to "go shopping with Oma!"
Sneaky little boy! :-)
Oma sat for a few more minutes watching the TV program with them, during which time Todd kept pushing her and saying "You go shopping!"
So, when the program ended she switched the channel to a boring CSPAN-like station before turning the TV off, knowing full well that Todd would turn the TV back on once she left.
When she got back home, Ama-Ama confirmed that Todd had indeed switched the TV on, got bored (he doesn't know about changing channels, yet), and within 15 minutes, started wandering around the house looking for Oma, clamoring to "go shopping with Oma!"
Sneaky little boy! :-)
Gardening
Late this morning, after settling down at work, I got a call from my Mom. But before she could speak, Todd, knowing she was calling me, clamored to talk on the phone. The following conversation ensued:
Toddy: Hi Mommy!
Mommy: Hi Sweetie!
Toddy: I want to cut the grass!
Mommy: Oh, you're cutting the grass, are you?
Toddy: But Oma needs to cook, and (unintelligible) needs water!
Mommy: Huh? What needs water?
Toddy: The plants!
Mommy: Oh, you're watering the plants?
Toddy: No, Oma watering the plants!
Hee hee... guess the little man was helping Oma in the garden, cutting the grass (with his scissors, no doubt) before she had to go back inside to get lunch ready.
Toddy: Hi Mommy!
Mommy: Hi Sweetie!
Toddy: I want to cut the grass!
Mommy: Oh, you're cutting the grass, are you?
Toddy: But Oma needs to cook, and (unintelligible) needs water!
Mommy: Huh? What needs water?
Toddy: The plants!
Mommy: Oh, you're watering the plants?
Toddy: No, Oma watering the plants!
Hee hee... guess the little man was helping Oma in the garden, cutting the grass (with his scissors, no doubt) before she had to go back inside to get lunch ready.
Funny Faces
I was playing around with posting videos on Myspace comments, and was using this old video (Todd is a little less than a year old in it) as my guinea pig. I actually posted it on the baby diary a few months ago (back when it was still on Tripod). But Tripod wouldn't let me embed videos, so I thought I'd give it another go while sharing another Todd story:
Todd eagerly watched it as I played it, he instantly recognized Ama-Ama's laugh on the video when he heard it. And of course, he identified himself as "Baby Pao-Pao" (a bit redundant, when you consider the literal meaning of it, but it works!)
I explained why Ama-Ama was laughing, whereupon Todd went to Daddy to regale him with the tale of the video: "Ama-Ama is feeding Baby Pao-Pao, and she's laughing because Pao-Pao is making funny faces!"
Todd eagerly watched it as I played it, he instantly recognized Ama-Ama's laugh on the video when he heard it. And of course, he identified himself as "Baby Pao-Pao" (a bit redundant, when you consider the literal meaning of it, but it works!)
I explained why Ama-Ama was laughing, whereupon Todd went to Daddy to regale him with the tale of the video: "Ama-Ama is feeding Baby Pao-Pao, and she's laughing because Pao-Pao is making funny faces!"
Don't get mad!
I was busy changing Todd and putting his pajamas on while he busily played with a coin he found on the bathroom counter (pocket change from when Mommy took a shower). As I looked up from putting his socks on, I noticed he had the coin in his mouth!
Quick as can be, I pushed it out and admonished him: "Don't put the coin in your mouth!". My tone was a bit annoyed, because I was in a hurry to get it out and because it wasn't the first time anyone had told him never to put money in his mouth.
He was silent for a moment before piping up with "Don't be angry!"
That just made me laugh and I nuzzled him while quietly explaining why money is dirty and why you should never put it in your mouth. That seemed to satisfy him, and he agreed not to do it again. Only time will tell if he actually listens or not!
Quick as can be, I pushed it out and admonished him: "Don't put the coin in your mouth!". My tone was a bit annoyed, because I was in a hurry to get it out and because it wasn't the first time anyone had told him never to put money in his mouth.
He was silent for a moment before piping up with "Don't be angry!"
That just made me laugh and I nuzzled him while quietly explaining why money is dirty and why you should never put it in your mouth. That seemed to satisfy him, and he agreed not to do it again. Only time will tell if he actually listens or not!
Medicinal observations
Yesterday Mommy picked up some prescription pills from the pharmacy to help manage her lower back pain. As with most prescription bottles nowadays, you can put the lid on upside-down to make it non-childproof. And since most childproof bottle caps manage to elude Mommy, she decided to put it on upside down.
Todd spied the bottle, picked it up and observed, "It's upside-down!" He handed it to Oma to fix. After she did, he wagged his finger at her and said in his most grown-up, authoritative voice: "Remember, don't put it on upside-down!"
Now that the bottle cap was fixed, he examined the bottle, and became curious about the pills inside. He begged Oma to open it so he could look through the "hole" (the opening of the bottle). When that wasn't satisfactory, he asked to take one out.
Oma strictly admonished him that medicine was not for playing with.
But Todd wasn't going to play with it, as he pointed out: "You can put it on my hand, and I can look at it!"
We reached a compromise by letting him look at a pill resting in Oma's hand instead :-)
Todd spied the bottle, picked it up and observed, "It's upside-down!" He handed it to Oma to fix. After she did, he wagged his finger at her and said in his most grown-up, authoritative voice: "Remember, don't put it on upside-down!"
Now that the bottle cap was fixed, he examined the bottle, and became curious about the pills inside. He begged Oma to open it so he could look through the "hole" (the opening of the bottle). When that wasn't satisfactory, he asked to take one out.
Oma strictly admonished him that medicine was not for playing with.
But Todd wasn't going to play with it, as he pointed out: "You can put it on my hand, and I can look at it!"
We reached a compromise by letting him look at a pill resting in Oma's hand instead :-)
Not later!
Just as many little kids do, Todd clamors to do something at inappropriate times, such as asking for a snack right before mealtime, or wanting to play outside right before nap time. So we usually tell him no, not now, he can do/eat it later, and explain why.
His response? Usually a very loud and very insistent "Not later!!"
Recently, he's begun turning the tables on us. When we tell him to do some loathed chore, such as taking a shower, going on the toilet, or brushing his teeth, he'll yell, "No! I'll do it later!"
Mimicry at its best ;-)
His response? Usually a very loud and very insistent "Not later!!"
Recently, he's begun turning the tables on us. When we tell him to do some loathed chore, such as taking a shower, going on the toilet, or brushing his teeth, he'll yell, "No! I'll do it later!"
Mimicry at its best ;-)
