This blogging site for me originated as a place where I could share the many endearments motherhood added to my life and this world. "Tristanisms" is term I coined to title my son's creative, unique and often funny insights.
Here are few of them:
2003 & 2004:
Tristanisms when he was 2 - 3 years old
I. Bejacque A. Kevatica, the worm
It's been awhile since I've sent any Tristanisms but life's been hectic. Hmmm. How to spell this special name is still a mystery to me but - my guess; "Bejacque A. Kevatica" and it is the fancy name that rolled off Tristan's tongue to name the pet earth worm we picked up today. Boffy (that's "Bahffee") was his favorite name for the past few months. Our first "pet" was Boffy the Beetle who accompanied us to the park and rode down the slide with Tristan. We set Boffy the beetle free that evening. He later had Boffy the earth worm who accompanied us to the library to return some books and to McDonalds where he rode around in a motorized backhoe Tristan's daddy gave him. Boffy the worm returned to the earth next to Grandma's rain gauge in her flower garden.
II. Sharing Teeth with Granddaddy
Granddaddy was in the hospital from Saturday through Wednesday. Tristan missed Granddaddy alot. We visited him daily. Tristan told Granddaddy,"Granddaddy, we can share teeth. When I lose my baby teeth, I'm going to give them to you. And I'll get big teeth so you can have my baby teeth so you'll have teeth again."
III. The Moon
Grandma was outside with him one evening, holding him and said, "Look at the new moon, Tristan." Tristan asked, "Did the old moon die?"
IV. A Minute
Mom just shared something with me that I did not hear at the time it was said. I handed him his vitamins but he didn't take them. He told me, "In a minute..." and Grandma told me he added, "a long minute."
V. Promise Me
Granddaddy had to go to the hospital partially because he drank too much water and turned his oxygen machine up to double what it should be. When Granddaddy came home from the hospital Tristan said, "Granddaddy,promise me that you will not drink too much water again so that you won't go back to the hospital ever again."
VI. The Loan
Magi, our sweet cat, is de-clawed on her front paws. For that reason, when she goes outside I tend to keep an eye on her and want to be sure she gets back inside. Tristan and I had a conversation about her paws and claws. When I told him about her not having front claws and thus being defenseless against wild creatures he said, "Well, I have front claws for Magi and a big cat costume so she can scare those wild animals away."
VII. Doctor Talk
Tristan and Grandma were at the hospital the day that we thought Granddaddy was coming home. Unfortunately, he had to wait a day. When Grandma told Tristan that the doctor told her it wouldn't happen that day, he replied, "Well, the doctor told ME that he would come home today!"
VIII. Tristan in New York and Visiting Uncle Sam
Tristan and I took a quick trip to NY to attend one of my dearest friend's wedding. It was VERY FUN! Tristan is an incredible travel companion. He flew like a seasoned businessman. He was a real trooper when it came to getting to our plane, both coming and going. We arrived a little over an hour early but I initially missed the turn-off for the long-term parking garage. It meant we circled around again and cut off some of our "extra" time. We had to hustle getting to our plane. My intention of "one bag" grew when I included Tristan's toddler guard (I knew at least two beds would need them)and favorite baby quilt. We ended up checking two and having two carry-ons. I packed just enough of my clothes and too many for Tristan's wardrobe.Tristan kept up with me and the bags, behaved perfectly all the way through our checkpoints, and listened contently to one cd (a kindergarten cd with a lot of safety information songs on it. He knows so many safety rules in so many different areas, I think of him as a three-year old safety scout) throughout the flight. The only moment of discontent was at a point where the noise on the plane competed with his music. We readjusted the cd player and he was set. I had packed a backpack filled with new goodies; books,to color, to read, to scratch out cool designs upon black backgrounds. A miniature etch-a-sketch became his favorite toy during flights, waits, the wedding, etc. He's still enjoying all of the books but they weren't even touched on the plane.
The return flight was a breeze. He volunteered to the stewardess the second she got to us,"I'd like to drink some apple juice, please." His favorite part of NYC was the pigeons. His favorite activity was walking up to them and yelling, "Boo! Boo! Boo!" They, being very pigeon-like, meandered on their merry ways. Occasionally, Tristan got the satisfaction of a coo and a jump, hop-flight away. It tickled me and my friends to see his DELIGHT over the pigeons. We went to the Bronx Zoo and he got to see lions and several nocturnal animals. He's just taken an interest in bats and they had a full assortment of nocturnal creatures that included many breeds of bats. He LOVED that.
My friend, Carolyn, also treated us to the treasures of a local ice cream truck. Since Tristan has dairy allergies I scanned their EXTENSIVE list of treats and he found a Spider-Man popsicle. I've never seen them but it happened to be made of lemon ice with gumball eyeballs. That was an incredible surprise and a memorable dessert & afternoon event, as we sat on steps and ate right next to a cool playground. Tristan played with some local kids after he finished his Spider-Man popsicle.
He looked fantastic in his tux! The only regret I have is that he got hold of the camera at Maureen's apt. and flashed many shots on this disposable camera before I realized how many he'd taken so we don't have as many as I wish we did of him dressed to the nines. We stayed with Uncle Sam the night before the wedding.I was thankful for the timing of that stay because BECAUSE Uncle Sam is a professional piano player, he has many tuxes and was able to show Tristan one of his. He also has some priceless video footage of Seth's and my reception so we were able to show Tristan video of his daddy in his wedding tuxedo. Boy was I happy about all of that because Tristan had balked a couple of times when we talked about his wearing a tuxedo. Once he saw Uncle Sam's and saw his daddy in one at our wedding, he was excited and wore his like a pro. He was very, very well behaved.
Tristan was concerned that our car service and taxi drivers would pull away before we were fully out of the car. I bought a portable car seat which took a bit of time to get in and out. With each stop, Tristan would stand and almost yell out to the driver, "PROMISE not to move the car until we are fully out!" I would assure him that we had conscientious drivers who would wait for us - but with each car, he'd pipe up, loudly so as to be heard (but wasn't easily understood by our heavily-accented drivers),"PROMISE NOT TO drive anywhere until we are finished!" He also could not understand why when he expressed a desire to stop at a McDonald's he'd see us zooming past, the drivers never did. Uncle Sam took us to McDonald's and to see the movie, "Shrek 2" which we all three loved.
Tristan was a wonderful traveling companion! He looks FANTASTIC in his tuxedo. Unfortunately, I have only a few pictures of him and I hope to get more made before he grows out of it. Next week he's looking forward to a sitting at our photo studio with a Spider-Man backdrop. He charmed a bunch of my New York City friends. I was so happy they had the chance to meet. It was tiring and a lot of fun.
IX. The Organic Farm with Spencer and Cindy
Today, Tristan and I joined another 3 year old friend and his mom (Spencer and Cindy) and took a field trip to the organic farm where we receive organic produce weekly. They have sheep, a very sweet dog and six kittens they hope to give away soon. A river runs very close to it so we took off our shoes and dipped our feet in. Tristan and Spencer found mica and took a few souvenir chips (which quickly turned to mica crumbles on the carseats and floor) home. The name of the road we were on was called, "Micaville."
Though we arrived when the workers were gone to lunch, we had perfect timing because one of the lambs was stuck in the fence. Stuck in a way that could have really hurt her if we'd not intervened. Both back legs were tangled in the fencing. She had pushed her head and neck through but wouldn't have been able to get her pelvis through. As she tugged to push through she just kept tangling her back legs up more. So we felt like mini-superheroes freeing her.
Tristan and Spencer both have and brought their superhero masks: Tristan brought a Spider Man mask with gloves that make action sounds. Spencer brought a Bat Man mask. Though they left them in the car during our visit, they decided to borrow each other's masks. Tristan really enjoys sharing his possessions when the idea originates with him. Spencer kept saying he wanted Tristan's Spider Man mask. Tristan said, "Spencer can borrow my mask and gloves. Spencer you can take them home with you." Cindy and I wanted to be sure Tristan understood what it meant. He did. Cindy suggested Tristan borrow Spencer's Bat Man mask. Tristan said no initially then decided he'd like that.
Later, Tristan said, "Spencer looked so excited when I told him he could borrow my Spider Man mask and gloves." A slight pause and I nodded in agreement. Then he reported to me and Grandma, "Spencer didn't look excited when I said I'd like to borrow his Bat Man mask." We just smiled and said, "Oh." But BOY WERE THEY CUTE together!!!
Tristan wanted to hold Spencer's hand. Later in the day, Spencer wanted to hold Tristan's hand. Prior to leaving on our trip, Tristan told Grandma, "Spencer sometimes picks on me. I don't like it when Spencer picks on me. And then, I sometimes pick on Spencer." They are actually quite well-matched in temperament, the style of misbehavior and a close match verbally. It makes for colorful and fun times. Only a couple meltdowns came our way and no lasting pain resulted from any of it. We consider a day like that a great one! ;-D
It made me realize that I have to keep social events flowing for Tristan. He LOVES being with his peers.
Tristan and Spencer sat in the back seat. Spencer has recently moved to a booster chair because he's about 5 lbs. heavier than Tristan. Tristan was in his car seat and they were chatting up a storm. Cindy responded to something Spencer said and he quickly informed her, "I'm talking to Tristan." Cindy & I loved it!
X. The Goodest Find
Last night, Tristan fell asleep in his daddy's arms. I had to work until 10 p.m. and couldn't get home until 10:45 p.m. They were in Tristan's big boy bed which he has not slept in for awhile. Wonderfully, he slept through the night waking at 6 a.m. Instead of crying, he awoke and asked where Daddy was. I told him and said we'd see him again later in the day. He didn't cry. He asked me to come to him.
When he and I were comfortably situated in his big boy bed he told me,"Mommy, you are the goodest find!" I thanked him and then about 2 minutes later, he exuberantly yelled out, "Ciao, Bucky, ciao!" (giggling), he was echoing the pointed man from my favorite cartoon, "The Point."
XI. Tusks
After Tristan's bath, he wanted to take three of his bath toys upstairs. We got into a conversation about elephants (the toys were: an elephant, a walrus and a duck - all three from our very dear neighbors, Jane and Sol Cherry;-). Somehow, it turned to talk about tusks. The toy walrus has tusks. The elephant does not. But I told him that some elephants do have tusks and that their tusks can be a hazard for them because sometimes, hunters seek them out and kill the elephants just to get their tusks. I told him about laws and boycotts on ivory to stop poachers from killing elephants.
We talked about the walrus tusks. I told him that I do not know what walrus tusks are made of. He said,"Oh, I do. They are made of delivery packages." I found it very interesting and he added."White delivery packages." And we continued to play.
;-)
XII. The Amazing Human Body
Tristan has been learning anatomy from his Amazing Human Body cd. His knowledge amazes sometimes. Then, the other day he told me,"Mommy, my bones and kidneys have a stomach ache..." And sometimes, it's just all information - scrambled together into this interesting mix. ;-D
XIII. Haircuts and Time
Uncle Robin came to cut Granddaddy's hair. The rest of us decided we needed haircuts, too - so, he set up a little salon in the kitchen. Tristan decided to opt out for a haircut this time. His hair is beginning to get into his eyes - but, he decided to re-schedule. He and I have been talking about time. He says,"In a minute..." frequently and realizes that a minute just isn't a lot of time. So, when I asked him when he wants to get his hair cut, he said, "Half past May..." So we agreed on half past March and then again half past May.
XIV. The Painter and the Cord
This morning, Tristan and I were on Mommy's bed lying down and he asked, "Mommy, who painted us?" I asked if he meant a painting or a drawing. His daddy has drawn a great portrait of him. No. He meant,"Who painted US?" and he looked at our skin. I then clarified by asking, "Our bodies. The color of your skin? And Mommy's?" That was exactly what he wanted to know. So, I told him that God painted us. God created everything about us. God and something called genetics make us look the way we do.
He wanted more information. I ended up talking about cells and how he started out as a few cells that came both from Mommy and Daddy and while he grew he lived inside Mommy's tummy. I stayed pretty peripheral about details. But, I told him that the cells grew and changed into organs, like his heart and all the parts of his body. When God knew that he was ready to live in the world, Tristan's due date arrived and he came out of Mommy's belly. I told him,"Daddy caught you." And then, I added, "And Grandma cut your umbilical cord." He looked at me, and with scrutiny asked, "Grandma cut my umbilical cord?" I said," Yes, she did. We were all SO HAPPY! It was very exciting!" He thought for five seconds and told me, "I want it back!"
I started this draft for March - but, I want to keep these short and March will have more, I feel certain.
Tristan will turn three years old a month from today (2-29-03).
He's growing up!
These snippets are to share with you the most endearing moments that I experience with Tristan and his interesting comments. I'm usually alone with him when we have these exchanges. Mom and I share funny stories at night. I'm hoping that many of the comments she and I share will come to me as I write. If this is not of interest to you, that's okay, too. And feel free to let me know or just to ignore this section.
XV. TCBY
Tristan wanted an ice cream cone one afternoon. We turned into a TCBY and almost as an afterthought I asked,"Do you want to go through the drivethrough?" Tristan said,"You mean instead of going inside, sitting down together and laughing - and having fun togEther?" We went inside and had fun.
XVI. Winnie-the-Pooh " Tree Goodness"
We play a Winnie-the-Pooh/Christopher Robin game by my lying down on the bed and propping my legs up on the wall so he can climb on my legs like they are tree branches. Usually, my legs are clean shaven. The first time Tristan saw them with stubble, we were in the midst of this game and he climbed onto the branches and looked down at me and said, "Mommy, turn your legs over." I asked him what he meant and he said, "Turn your legs over so the goodness will be here." The "goodness" couldn't appear that easily, but, I shave my legs regularly, again.
XVII. Stinky Politics
Granddaddy loves watching political t.v. shows and loves arguing with the conservatives on the television set. One day, he yelled out to some news guy, "That stinks! That stinks, too!" And Mom and Dad told me that Tristan concurred by saying, "Granddaddy, there is a little stinkiness in this house."
XVIII. Worst Case Scenario
When I came back from class yesterday, Tristan told me,"Grandma and I are playing a very difficult game of Worst Case Scenario." They role the dice and move a piece and read a card. That's the game, as Tristan knows it. Lack of interest defines the end of the game, never a win or loss.
