The Pink Pig... an Atlanta Tradition

Growing up in Atlanta, I always heard about the Christmas tradition of riding the Pink Pig at Richs at Lenox Mall. Growing up Jewish in Atlanta, I didn't really participate in the Christmas tradition. So when my sister suggested we take the kids, I thought it was a great idea! We had to go to Buckhead to pick up our half-marathon race numbers anyway.
I didn't realize that part of the tradition involved standing in line with a multitude of children and toddlers for an hour. Here we are waiting in the hallway:

and waiting on the roof of the parking garage:

The next place we waited was inside of a tent. You'll notice in the next few pictures that we finally did make it on the ride. You'll also notice that everything inside the tent is pepto-bismol pink... including Teddy's cheeks. That's because it is HOT in Atlanta, and it is even HOTTER when you cram at a bunch of excited children and their tired parents inside of a tent on top of a parking garage in Atlanta! Poor Teddy, by the time we got through the line he was hot, tired, and probably hungry. But it was all worth it, because Teddy LOVED the train ride. As soon as we started moving he perked up and started smiling and squealing. Maybe he was just relieved to feel the wind on his face... but hey... we're making memories and traditions. And good thing he enjoyed it, because after waiting an hour, the train ride went around the little track two times and we were done. In about three minutes. Crazy Atlanta natives! At least now Teddy is a true southerner!
Like I mentioned, the train ride was on top of the parking garage of Macy's (since Richs' is no longer here). After the ride, I put Teddy in his stroller, took him down one floor in the elevator, and walked to our car. That took maybe seven minutes. Here is Teddy as soon as we got to the car:

Daddy's little boy

Teddy loves his daddy and he loves what his daddy grows in the garden:

"mmmm.... looks like an apple...." Those seven teeth come in handy when you want to dig into a green tomato! Check it out:

Teddy is such a funny little guy. He rarely sucks on his pacifier, but that is because most of the time he is sucking on his thumb. But the other day he picked up this toy duck, and it became his paci. He kept it in his mouth the entire time he played. Even as he cruised around the room!

Teddy is also mommy's little boy:

Teddy and Shae hung out in the front yard one afternoon to give me some time to clean:

More goodies from Shae's garden. Check out the size of this green! It's bigger than Teddy's cheeks... and that's saying something!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teddy is Shae's little boy... and he is starting to remind me of him more and more. These next two pictures capture some of why I think this:

Funhouse and more fun!

Teddy continues to be so much fun. His little personality is coming out more and more and it seems like he is doing something new every single day. He is a very friendly and social little baby, he loves to make friends where ever we go. He seems to like music-especially Sugarland's "Stuck on You"... he even "sings" the "Uh-Oh" part. And he is becoming more and more independent. Just this week he started standing alone for longer periods of time. (I tried to catch this on tape, but was not successful). Also, another bottom tooth broke through the gums- so he now has 7 teeth.

Teddy and I went to the Funhouse this week with some of his friends. He had a great time climbing, playing, and trying to keep up with the older kids. He also enjoyed eating cheese pizza!

This ball pit was a lot bigger than the one at home!
(above) Teddy sitting on a silly seal. (above) Teddy practices standing up.

Hold on everyone...

Teddy is DRIVING?!

This week Teddy also got to go somewhere that I had not been in 22 years. I was asked to participate in the Heritage Day celebration at my old middle school. I was really excited to do a presentation on clogging (I had not clogged there since the talent show in 8th grade!) It was so much fun to be back in a school and it was really funny to see a few of my old teachers (and I do mean OLD) who are still teaching!! At the end of each presentation, I taught the students a few steps. Below Teddy watches as we do the Cotton Eyed Joe:

Shae was sweet enough to work from home over the weekend some, so that I could spend half of Friday at the middle school. He brought Teddy to school to watch one of the sessions. At the end of that session, when I asked the students if they had any questions, one little girl raised her hand and asked, "How old is Teddy?" Not exactly a relevant question... but cute!

On Saturday, while I went for a long run, Shae dressed Teddy for the day. This is what he was wearing:

You can't tell from the picture, but he has a onsie on underneath that has basketballs, footballs, and tennis balls on it. That is underneath the Hawkeye shorts outfit... which is underneath the monkey pants (which happen to be size 6 months!)

Too bad the only place Teddy went dressed like that was our living room and kitchen! Teddy enjoyed watching the game while he ate lunch. Well... he enjoyed it.. that is.. until his Daddy got very mad and started yelling at the computer. That's when I took Teddy in the other room.

(above) Teddy is having fun enjoying one of his new favorite snacks- Goldfish. Yummy!

So, this last video is kind of long, but it's funny so I'll post it. Teddy has recently started mimicking us when we do things like say "uh oh" or "ha" or as you can see next, when we do raspberries. Like I mentioned before- he is so much fun! You can tell by the video we are having a great time with him!

Walking... with a little help!

This week Teddy started doing something we were really excited about. He has managed to turn several items into "walkers." He has walked all the way across the room holding on to things like his table toy. Here we caught it on video the second time he did it using the laundry basket!! I can't believe how fast this kid is growing up! (Please ignore the haggard mom in the background. Unfortunately I had a stomach bug this week and was not looking very pretty. Thankfully Shae was able to take a day off of work and he took very good care of both Teddy and me).

Like father... like son...

Is it haircut time?!? My sister's neighborhood has a huge semi-annual garage sale. So my friend and I packed up our babies and went searching for "treasures." Unfortunately it was REALLY unseasonably cold and even started hailing during our adventure. Since Teddy did not have a hat with him that fit, one treasure we found him was a new warm red hat: Bonus was that it matched Phoebe's hat! (It came with matching mittens, but we can only get one on Teddy at a time... we have to leave one hand out so he can suck his thumb!) (above) Teddy enjoyed feeding his lunch to Henry!

Like I mentioned, it has been very cold here this week. Of course our thermostat is set sort of low... but I think it may be too low...Kashewa does have a fur coat after all! In the next picture she is sitting right next to the vent that is shooting out hot air. So it must be below 62 if the heat is on!!!
This weekend we took Teddy to Caroline and Maggie's soccer games. Again we are all bundled up! (above) Teddy and Aunt Miriam
(above) Lisette with Teddy (Michael Jackson style... one mitten only) (above) Caroline with us at Maggie's game (above) Teddy and Shae on the blanket... shortly before a little girl trampled on the them as she chased the soccer ball. I didn't realize soccer was a full contact sport! (above) Teddy's new car seat is not the most comfortable but that doesn't stop him from resting in the car! Soccer is a tiring sport to watch!

Happy Birthday Cousin Harper!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY COUSIN HARPER! You don't look a day over 10 months!



Bonus points for whoever can name the movie that Harper is semi-quoting.

Halloween 2010

I have always loved Halloween, but it is SO much more fun with a child! I just hope Teddy had half as much fun as we did. In this first picture, Teddy poses with an adorable personalized pumpkin from Great Aunt Sara. Here Teddy poses with our real pumpkin, before the carving.

I think I mentioned in my last posting that Teddy has started to show us this cheesy smile whenever we point the camera at him. He is such a little ham!
Here's another goofy face:
In the next picture I am busy carving the pumpkin. I'm pretty sure I know what Teddy is thinking....
... he's thinking "um, who gave mom the sharp knife?????"

(above) the finished jack-o-lantern

So our Halloween celebrations extended over several days. On Thursday we went to the Moms club party at a local nursing home where we visited with residents. Teddy was a great sport and wore his costume although it was hot enough for the air conditioning to be on!

(above) I didn't make Teddy dress up all alone.... I was the "Mama bear"

Teddy at the party

On Friday we continued our Halloween celebration. I took Teddy to the annual Halloween parade at the elementary school where I used to work. We had a great time visiting with teachers and students. And Teddy once again was a great sport- wearing his bear costume! Teddy really liked watching the parade. He smiled, clapped, and even waved to the students as they walked by in their costumes. The big day, of course, was Sunday. We all dressed up and went to the neighborhood parade. Then we took Teddy to a few of our friends' houses to trick-or-treat before going home to give out candy.

So here we are, the Three Little Bears:(above) Papa Bear and Baby Bear

(above) Baby Bear and Mama Bear

(above) Teddy's friend Phoebe dressed as Gwen Stefani

This pose with Teddy and Phoebe looks familiar. Teddy, I'm afraid she's just not that in to you!

(above) Teddy looking out the window for trick-or-treaters Teddy's fake camera smile

This Halloween stuff is hard work. Just ask Teddy:We hope everyone had a great and safe Halloween!