The Parenting Tales of Teo: Part 10

Previously on “The Parenting Tales of Teo”

• The past few weeks have been busy for 11-month-old Mateo (or “Teo,” for short). While his crawling skills have improved greatly, he has also surprised us with his ability to stand on two feet (with assistance). In fact, with his sturdy legs, my wife, Kay, and I predict he could learn to walk first and crawl second!
• Teo still drinks dairy-based formula but has also grown to love eating solid foods! He fortunately has a good appetite, which makes Kay’s job as his personal chef easy. His breakfasts consist of either eggs, bananas, or yogurt. His lunches and dinners are comprised of apple sauce, chicken, or beef with rice, potatoes, or noodles on the side.
• Teo enjoys watching Ms. Rachel and other television shows for children but has also added a surprising one to his repertoire: the daily news! Seriously. This warms my heart since I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In fact, I too had watched the news on TV with my mom every night when I was a child. Hence, I suppose he could be a reporter in the making.
• Teo recently had a cold, so Kay and I naturally did everything in our power to make him comfortable. Made sure he drank plenty of water and slept longer amounts of time. Gave him Tylenol as needed. Used a NoseFrida to remove mucus from his nose. “Wait, you used a … what?” A NoseFrida, which has gained popularity among parents in recent years, is essentially a plastic tube with a filter in the middle. One end is inserted into the child’s nostril. The parent then sucks the opposite end like a straw until the mucus is removed and accumulated into the filter.
• Funny story. The NoseFrida is supposed to be sanitized after each usage. Hence, I came up with the bright idea to boil it in water — which was a big mistake! I ended up melting the damn thing instead of cleaning it, so I had to purchase a new one at Walmart. Note to self: soap is your friend.
• Kay, Teo, and I attended a going-away party in June for our cousin, Sebastian, who had joined the U.S. Navy. The celebration, which had about 50 attendees, was held at a park near Los Angeles. The weather was warm and sunny, so it was a perfect day to chat and share a meal with loved ones. Although he is missed, we are proud of him and wish him well.
• Teo visited Las Vegas for the second time in June. I am a fan of singer-songwriter Brian McKnight, so watching him perform live had been on my “bucket list.” Kay made my dream come true when she bought us tickets for his concert in Vegas for my birthday. Albert and Lucky (my parents-in-law), Quet and Mari (sisters-in-law), Moon (goddaughter), and Alex (Mari’s friend) accompanied us on the trip. The concert was excellent, and it was nice to relax for a few days. We swam in the pool, ate delicious food, and visited several casinos.
• Teo visited the California Science Center in Los Angeles for the first time this month. While the space shuttle Endeavour was spectacular for him and our family to see in person, the Mayan exhibit was undoubtedly the highlight of our visit. The Mayans are the indigenous people of Guatemala, the same country from where Kay and her family had originated. So, this opportunity to learn more about their rich culture certainly filled them with wonderment, curiosity, and pride.
• A child’s birth has a way of bringing out the best in people — and sadly the worst in some folks, too. There are many people who have supported Kay and me since the first day of our journey with Teo. Our parents. Siblings. Aunts and uncles. Cousins. Even friends. Some live near us. Others live in places hundreds or even thousands of miles away, such as the San Francisco Bay Area. Georgia. New York. Texas. Even Guatemala.
• But, regardless of distance, these loved ones have continuously made their presence known. Through greeting cards, phone calls, and text messages. By giving not only generous presents, but also their time, energy, and hearts to make Teo’s life as happy as possible. By sharing advice, words of wisdom, and stories to help Kay and me grow as parents.
• These loved ones have chosen to stand by Kay, Teo, and me through thick and thin. Chosen to answer the phone at all hours of the day without hesitation. Chosen to give a helping hand, pat on the back, and shoulder on which to cry when needed. To these people who have helped us learn, evolve, and flourish as a family, I say this: thank you. We are grateful. May God bless you.