Tristan James Teet: Tristan is 18 months!

Well, I will start by apologizing for not updating the blog last month. I was out of town for a week when it was time to update, and then it was back to work. And by the time I got around to it, it was almost time for this month's update. So this post may get a little long.....

We went to the doctor today for Tristan's 18 month checkup. He weighed in at 25 pounds (40th%) and he was 34 and 3/4 inches tall (60th %). The doctor sad that he looked great and gave him a cute little animal book. He did have to get one shot, which he was not happy about, but he got over it as soon as I gave him a sucker. Tristan now has 11 teeth and it looks like he may be working on a few more. They don't seem to bother him too bad at least. Unfortunately he is back to eating baby food veggies :(. Occasionally he will eat whole ones, but I guess it is better than not eating any veggies at all. He is still doing really well in school, and gets upset if Daddy leaves for work in the morning without taking him with him. His teacher said that he is very well-behaved and that she was impressed at how well he was talking for his age. Tristan has definitely become a chatterbox. He says a lot of words really well, but has also started babbling with a few actual words mixed in. He is quite an expressive little guy as well. He knows a slew of animal (and various other) sounds, and we have been working on ABCs and colors. We have been working on counting also, but he just says "two, two, two." I don't know if he really means "one, two, three," or if he just likes to say "two." He can do a good bit of sign language as well but usually says the word he is signing at the same time. Tristan is quite silly and has lots of little tricks that he will do. If you ask him how much he loves you, he will stretch out his arms and say "this much!" It is soooo cute!!! He likes to try and wink at you to, but he closes both eyes. He also likes to "help" unload the dishwasher by putting all of the silverware in the drawer. A little rearranging is necessary but it usually keeps him occupied long enough for me to get the rest of the dishes unloaded. Loading the dishwasher is nearly impossible to do around him though, because he will try to take out the dirty dishes and hand them to you. He still likes to vacuum and mop, and he is pretty good at cleaning up after himself if he spills a little bit of milk or juice. Tristan thinks it is absolutely hilarious if you bump your toe or hurt yourself in some way. At least he comes and gives you a kiss to make it all better!

We have been going outside just about everyday to enjoy the beautiful weather. Sometimes we go to the little playground across the street and sometimes we go to the park. Either way he loves it! He likes to walk around and explore rocks, sticks, and pine cones. And he will pick up pieces of bark off of the ground and try to put them back on the tree. I can't wait for the pool to be open! We went back to Kangarooz, but didn't quite have the same experience as last time. It was just way too crowded. He seemed a little weary of all the big kids running around-even in the little kid area. And after I had to threaten and almost beat two different kids (one tried to push Tristan off of the slide platform and the other just ran up to him and slapped him in the head for no reason-their parents nowhere around), we decided to leave and go to the park, and we had a great time there. I would like to try Kangarooz again, but only on a day that's not as crowded!

Tristan and I went to Columbus, MS to visit my sister and her husband and had a great time. The car ride was a little traumatic for both of us, though. It was only the second time that he has had to ride in his car seat that long, and the first time in a really long time that I have had to drive that far myself-I like it better when Justin drives! We had a really good time hanging out with Jennifer and I got to see her itty-bitty baby bump. Little Zooey Marie is due August 1!!! I was worried about how Tristan would like sleeping in the pack and play, but other than waking up at 6 am, he did great. And thankfully, when we got home, he was back to sleeping until 8 or 8:30! At the end of the week, we drove over to Montgomery to meet my Mom, Grandmother, and aunt to watch my cousin Savannah's dance competition. She did great! I didn't get to watch much more of the competition-Tristan was more interested in climbing the stairs in the lobby. He did however enjoy waving at all the girls on the stage and he kept sticking his arm between the seats to wave and say "Hi" to the two little girls sitting in front of us. He can be quite the little flirt sometimes!

We rode over to Pensacola Beach with my Dad, step mom, and brother a few weekends ago. It was quite windy and definitely way too chilly to get in the water, but it was nice just to be on the beach. Tristan wasn't so sure of the sand at first, but he got used to it. After a while, he didn't even seem to mind the taste of it. He kept trying to feed me potato chips, but I had to pretend to eat them because they were covered in sand. I can't wait to go back when it gets a little warmer and Tristan can put his toes in the water!