The Tovsky Tribe

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Thursday, January 7, 2016

A Letter to my Son on his 7th Birthday

Dear Turner-

Another year has passed us by and now my baby boy is 7.  A 7 year old, who is in first grade, is almost as tall as his 9 year old brother, and has shoulders that are broadening and a chest that is thickening. I was only half kidding when I put you to bed tonight and told you that you may wake up taller than me.

You are a special boy, Turner.  There is really nothing else to say.  You have this way of making those around you feel special and lucky and engaged.  You make eye contact and appreciate each moment that anyone spends with you, and it shows.

You make friends, easily.  You are social, and fun, and bring an element to the party that is missed when you are not around.   And, yet, you are independent and mature and O.K. all on your own.  You know everything, but don't ever act like a know it all.  But, if I am looking for something or need to know some information about our household, I can always ask you and be sure to get the right answer.  You are structured, yet not too much, and like order, but are not obsessed by it.  You are silly, and smart, and always have a dance move in your step and a song in your voice.

At school you have Mrs. Delfini.  Some of your school friends are Gavin, Chase, Jake, Alex, and Greyson.  Although you fight incessantly with Ryder it is because you  are very much like him and share similar interests.  You have a bond with Chase that doesn't need to be discussed, it just is, and although you love to tattle tale, it is clear you adore them both.  You don't let them get away with giving the younger brother a hard time and definitely dish it right back at them.

You are an amazing big brother to Decker.  Your care and concern is evident each time you look at him.  You take him in your arms and never hesitate to tell him you love him or tell him how cute he is.  So often you greet him with "Hi, gorgeous face!"  Your empathetic and thoughtful way makes you a natural big brother and you never think twice about making sure he is happy first.  I admire that about you.  It is just who you are.  You care about other people and other things and make the effort to satisfy those around you.   You are a terrific chore doer and are my number one man when it comes to offering me help. You're not scared of hard work, nor a little elbow grease, and are always willing to lend a helping hand.

Your party will be on Sunday, celebrated with The Great Holtzie.  This is a party you've been waiting to have since you were 4, when Chase and Ryder had him at their party.  I told you then, "when you are in first grade" and don't you know that as soon as your party was brought up this year you said "I am in first grade, I get Great Holtzie."  That is how you are.  You don't forget things that are said and expect follow through.  We need someone like you living in this house, for sure.

You will dabble in sports when all of the boys play but you have not, yet, shown too much of an interest in playing organized sports.  Maybe that is not for you.  You do take piano lessons, though they are bi-weekly so progression is slow, but you seem to enjoy them and are diligent about what you learn.  Earlier in October you had a little recital.  You did a great job, as we would expect, and you looked so handsome.

Although you don't talk about it, and it is hard because Ryder gets so much attention for his skills, you are a pretty good drawer.  I hope you will continue to practice the art form so that you can become a talented artist, as well.

You're a unique and wonderful kid.  At 7 years old you are 62 pounds and 48.5 inches.  You are getting bigger and thicker and your back is spreading every day. You have a loud speaking voice and often need to be shushed but also have an endearing smile and contagious laugh. You are quick witted and clever and don't miss too much of what's around you. You're street smart and showing signs of being a good student. 

You're my baby, now and forever, as I like to tell you often, but there's very little baby left in you. 

I love you, Turner. You make me proud every day. 

Mommy 










Turner at 5

Turner at 6


Sunday, January 3, 2016

A Letter to my Son on his 10 Month Birthday

Dear Decker,

The months are passing faster than I can get these letters written. I am sure this comes as a surprise to no one.  And, you've made it clear you aren't waiting for anyone or anything.  In fact, it seems your goal is to outpace time. 

Every day is something new with you; something wonderful.  One morning you woke up and the beautiful hair on your head was several inches longer.  You always had a lot of hair; thick and beautiful, with a healthy shine- hair that was noticed by every passerby.  But, truly, you woke up one morning and it was suddenly long, and super curly (and still beautiful.)   Although it still is fine baby hair, and difficult to control, we do try to keep the bangs out of your face with a nice side part.


If there is a skill you are working on we know it is just a few short days before you figure it out. This month you have learned to clap, which is fantastic, because now everything, EVERYTHING, is met with an applause.  You applaud all of us and you love it when we applaud you.  You can now climb up the steps with ease and have learned to climb down the steps, as well.  Finally learning to turn around at the top and go down feet first you now climb up just to come down.  Although you do it correctly, and we have a lot of confidence in your abilities (reducing our fear) I am pretty sure you have rug burns up and down the front of your legs.  Luckily, you don't seem to bothered by it.




You can now stand up on your own for 30 seconds or more, and have begun cruising.  It won't be long before you are walking.  Then running.  You continue to pay close attention to what is around you.  You seem to study the way our lips move when we speak and you will try to mimic the motion, though not necessarily the sound.  But, with that said, you babble often and your sounds are becoming much more clear.  "More" is a word you say, and sign, and we also think you say Up.  Speaking of up, you point up a lot.  We all assume you are fascinated by the lights as you will point directly at each of the fixtures.  And, of course, there is a lot of "ma ma ma" and "da da da" and you have your consistent hum which you do as you are putting yourself to sleep.

As serious and as focused as you can be you have started to find the silly in things.  A game of peekaboo, a tickle to the neck, or just the silly dances and sounds that your brothers entertain you with can get you giggling and laughing.  We all love it.




You eat just about anything we give you now, you still love your bottles, and bath time is one of your favorite things to do.


We celebrated hanukkah, which was mostly uneventful for you (sorry little guy, next year you will make out just fine) and enjoyed some relaxation and time off together over Christmas.  On New Years we had the Cohens and the Levins here, and of course Uncle Mat, and though you did not make it to midnight, nor did we try, you were a wonderful addition to our small soiree.

You love to touch everyone's noses, touch everything with one finger, and put too much in your mouth.  You like to bounce on your toosh on the beds around the house and enjoy touching the pages of any book we put in your hand.  You also love to touch the television, assuming, like the phone, something happens when you touch it, and when you hear familiar voices "coming through the small box" you grin from ear to ear- fascinated that Mom-Mom or anyone can fit inside the box.

You are truly a pleasure, sunshine on a rainy day.  Just your being, your presence, makes all of us happier and lighter, and it is amazing to be a person that can have such a profound effect on so many, even at only 10 months old.

Everyday I look forward to the things you will show me and the things you will teach me....even as I write this, I can't wait for tomorrow.

Keep being you, keep learning and doing and grinning.  We could not be more proud.

I love you so....
Mommy

Up you go
Mommy Decker selfie
Where's your tongue?