Teddy's Gift

 It might sound weird, but during these pandemic times I make a point to deliver goodies to others with Teddy in tow. These visits are brief, distanced or through glass doors and masked as best as Teddy masks. Sometimes, though, it's worth the glass barrier or greater distance because then they can see the gigantic smile on Teddy's face.

I know that for many who we visit the greatest gift isn't the little treats. It's that classic Teddy smile. It's him showing off a few new dance moves (or his boots during today's visit by shoving his foot out the window). It's the giggles that he gets when he's being silly, like dropping a ball for me to catch through the car window. 

These are ordinary moments in our lives, things we get to see daily. Yet I appreciate how much joy they bring to others who know and love Teddy. That's why he accompanies me on the visits or comes to the glass door to high five through the glass when people stop by our house. 

I may bake the cookies or bread, but I know those brief interactions with Teddy are the true gift that makes people's days brighter. 

Teddy is ...

"Teddy's really excited today!"

"Teddy's really silly today!"

"Teddy's a good boy."

These are all things I hear when I help Teddy off the bus each afternoon from his friend Max, who sits by Teddy. I wrote about their friendship when they started sitting together and having so much on their bus ride home.

The week before Christmas, I wrapped a book for Max and wrote a Christmas card thanking him for being Teddy's friend and telling Max how much fun Teddy has with him. I also included a note to his parents to let them know how incredible their friendship is, despite Teddy being non-verbal, since they don't get to witness their interactions. I feel blessed to see the two of them together and wanted Max's parents to know how happy these two are together.

This week Max gave Teddy a present and a card. Teddy was excited to get a book with two Little Critter Stories: When I Grow Up and When I Get Bigger. (Max and Teddy often read together on the bus.) The card had the sweetest notes, one from Max thanking Teddy for being his friend and for the book. The other, from his mom, makes me smile every time I read it:

I am so happy that Max has made a friend! He talks about him every day. I love that those two just understand each other. They just get each other. I can't wait to see how their friendship blossoms.
 

This makes me smile. Every time.

I don't know Max's story. I don't know what school looks like for him. I do know that he and Teddy are the best of friends on their 40-minute bus ride together. They make each other happy and have fun together. I'm pretty sure they entertain the bus driver and aide. And they melt my heart every day.  

Teddy and the Easter Bunny

Teddy's not a big fan of costumed characters, so visits with the Easter Bunny in past years have involved tears. Well, this year with Teddy's increased mobility, he simply hopped off the bench and walked quickly away from the Easter Bunny at our local grocery store ... all while AJ tried to hold onto Teddy for a quick picture. The Easter Bunny tried bribing Teddy back with candy, but Teddy was not going anywhere near him.

I'm leaving now. Right now.

Even though Teddy may not care for the Easter Bunny, he was plenty happy to play with all the treats he got from the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny left him a cowboy hat at my parents' house, which Teddy finds fascinating. He's worn it far longer than I'd have imagined, and the strings are absolutely delicious. An added bonus is that AJ's only lassoed Teddy one time around the neck while practicing his roping skills ... thanks Grandma and Grandpa.

This cowboy was calling to say there's a new sheriff in town.

Then the Easter Bunny made a stop by our house with sand castle buckets filled with some treats for the boys. The Easter Bunny brought Teddy therapy putty, which is like Silly Putty. Teddy got two containers to try, and the rest are tucked away for later. It was a good opportunity to give him something like this to help with his fine motor development and give him some variety so he doesn't have just Play Dough to eat play.

The best trinket in Teddy's basket, though, was a bubble gun. It has a trigger like a gun, hence the name, and blows bubbles using battery power when the trigger is squeezed. It's absolutely perfect because for the first time Teddy can make bubbles himself. With us helping to hold the gun level (and keep it from getting tossed around when he gets excited), he can squeeze the trigger to make bubbles appear. It's an added bonus that he works on isolating his index finger, but it's so cool to see him excited to blow bubbles.

 

This was one of those holidays where our boys were thoroughly spoiled, but it felt good. There was time with both our families, including my nearly 95-year-old grandfather. There wasn't the frustration that Teddy couldn't enjoy the activities or the struggles to find something appropriate for him. Those are the good holidays.

Now ... if only we could get these children to sleep. Let's just say we didn't need to wake Teddy up to be to sunrise service at 5:45 a.m. He was wide awake at 4:40 a.m. I might have carried him downstairs and deposited him with Dave's folks saying, "He has risen."

Party Like It's Your Birthday

We celebrated Teddy's birthday this past weekend, although his birthday isn't until this Thursday. Since he giggles and laughs whenever we play the Purple People Eater song, we did a purple people eater party. Last year I started the tradition of baking sugar cookies. I like that because then we can give them to Teddy's therapists and team members, so they can join in celebrating with us.

Monster cookies are easy to frost because they can look messy.

Of course, we still need to have cake. The monster cake had gold wings (to fly obviously) and a golden horn. Let's just say that Teddy had fun devouring his horn once I filled it with ice cream. He did a great job isolating his pointer finger in the bottom of the cone once he ate the bottom.

Silly purple people eater ... we'll eat you!

There's a funny story about our purple people eater toy, which hadn't been working for months despite new batteries. I asked my brother, who is a computer engineer, if he could fix it. So he ripped it apart, cut wires and the whole nine yards. Turns out one of those new batteries didn't work, which was the whole problem. So after soldering the wires back together, the purple people eater worked just fine. Oops. Guess next time I'll try two new sets of batteries just to be sure.

Purple smile.

Teddy's always been fond of food, and Dave caught him looking quite serious while destroying his cake and ice cream horn. He managed to stay awake until everyone left (aside from my family who were staying longer).

Dad, I'm busy eating right now.

I feel like this is the first birthday where he's really been interested in ripping open presents. He did pretty good with the first present and then was completely distracted. (Why do I need to open anything else? This is awesome!!!) Fortunately, he has an older brother who was more than willing to help.

Opening presents is a milestone for Teddy.

Teddy loved playing with all the family and friends. Whether it was joining the water balloon fun outside and playing with the hose or wrestling inside, he had a great time at his party. Thanks to everyone who was able to join us celebrating Teddy's birthday.

It's my party. I'll tackle you if I want to.

P.S. You can expect a birthday post later this week as well.