This Little Light « Sizzle Says

This Little Light

July 30, 2008 at 6:07 am | In family, love | 70 Comments

Today my nephew turns two.

If you ask him, he will tell you. “TWO!” He will also drive you around on your errands for a small fee. He will likely cry out, “MUUUUN-EEEEE!” to remind you to pay him for his troubles and when you give him some coins, clasp it in his little hand like a precious treasure. Ok, that’s not true about being able to drive you- his feet can’t reach the pedals yet. But he’s great at honking the horn! And that stuff about the money is fact. I’ve seen the little dickens empty out his coin stash from his piggy bank and dance upon it. Yes, he danced a happy dance on a mountain of coins. Maybe he’ll be a banker? I hope not a cheapskate.

He calls me Tee Tee because Auntie is too difficult. This always gets a laugh from people because, um hello, have you seen my Taa Taas? They seem to think he’s remarking on my ample rack but he’s only TWO so I think he’s not that advanced.

Though, sometimes when I am carrying him, he will take his hand and plunge it into the front of my shirt and into my bra then look me straight in the eye and say devilishly, “BOOB!” I try not to laugh but damn it, it’s hard not to. So sometimes I just say, “Did you learn that from the Fella?” Cuz he does that too.

I’m gonna have to separate those two.

Also, if you asked him what he wanted for his birthday he would say, “BIKE!” then “BALLOON!” then “BALL!” and he got all three last Sunday when he had his party. And from Tee Tee a little tykes soccer set because that nephew of mine is quite the athlete. He’s so good at kicking the ball and he throws discs really well too. Double B takes him to play disc golf sometimes. I asked him once if he threw discs like Daddy and he said, “UH HUH!” Then I asked, “Where does Daddy throw the discs, Finn?” He answered, “BUSH!” Um, that’s not gonna go over well with Daddy. Repeat after me: BASKET. Come on kid, work with me here.

Whenever I ask him, “Hey Finn, what color is this?” while holding up an object, say, a red ball, he will invariably answer, “ORRRRRRRRANGE!” “No, it’s red silly. What color is this?” I say holding up a blue object. “ORRRRRRRRANGE!” Apparently orange is his favorite color. Everything is ORRRRRRRANGE.

He’s fascinated by the zoo and can imitate a monkey really well. There’s a pug dog at his school and when we ask him what the dog sounds like he breathes/snorts out of his nose. And instead of calling cats “cats” he’ll just say “MOUW.”

He’s a terrific dancer. He’s loved hip hop since birth but also likes They Might Be Giants among others. I don’t know what it is about kids dancing but it never, ever fails to make me smile. They are just so carefree and in the groove. I used to be like that when I was his age. I’d dance to songs on the jukebox at the local pizzeria that my parents would often dine at. I got an early start on being a ham. I think my nephew might be following in those footsteps.

He’s got a great laugh. Just like his mom’s- the throw-your-head-back kind. His giggle often gives him away when he’s trying to “hide.” Sometimes he runs off saying under his breath, “Hidehidehidehide!” and then will plunge himself under the bed covers. He usually makes one of us go under there with him where he will laugh and laugh until we shoosh him because, hello dude, WE ARE HIDING. Then he’ll call out for anyone who isn’t under the blanket and they come and “find” us. Those brief moments hiding under the blanket with him, seeing the delight on his face, are so precious. It’s such a trip to watch him figure stuff out. To watch his personality develop.

Two years ago I moved to Seattle for a variety of reasons but at the very top of my list was my soon-to-be-born nephew. I already loved him before I met him and now? Words can’t describe what that little light of mine has done for my heart.

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! Your TeeTee loves you.

*Some photos borrowed from my sister Dokey, the photographer.

70 Comments »

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Happy Birthday Finn! He is just too cute. Does he ring the bell on the bike? Sometimes that’s more fun than the bike.

My 5 year old still does the hand in the shirt thing when he is really tired or sick.

Comment by kim — July 30, 2008 #
Awwww adorable. You are very lucky to be so close to him.

Comment by ammanners — July 30, 2008 #
I love, love, love, LOVE this post.

No, seriously, I can’t say how awesome it is.

And my nephew shoves his hand down my shirt too, but he doesn’t say boob, he just grabs it ;)

Happy 2nd birthday, Finn!

Comment by TC — July 30, 2008 #
What a great post and great pictures!!! Happy birthday Finn!!!!!

Comment by The Diva's Thoughts — July 30, 2008 #
Awwww.sweet post! Finn is just so cute.

Tee tee’s got Taa tas? Lol!

Keep an eye on that Fella.

=D

Comment by justduckie73 — July 30, 2008 #
This was lovely! Happy Birthday, Finn! I wish my kids had an aunt like you, Sizzle! You’re awesome. :)

Comment by Keely — July 30, 2008 #
Wow, he’s grown so much just in the last 6 months.

And he’s still absolutely adorable.

Comment by Mattie — July 30, 2008 #
Awwww! Happy birthday Finn. What a great little guy. You’re so lucky to live near him and get those special “TeeTee” moments.

Comment by suze — July 30, 2008 #
Oh, and that little nose scrunch in the first picture. A-dorable…

Comment by suze — July 30, 2008 #
Awwww he’s adorable :)

Love his impression of a Pug – spot on ;)

Comment by Ys — July 30, 2008 #
What a doll! Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Also – my nieces call me NiNi, or Anni Rhi – Because apparently Auntie Rhi is too much for them. Lazy little brats.

Comment by Rhi — July 30, 2008 #
I love this post! You are a great Auntie! He is lucky to have you in his life!

Happy birthday to that adorable little man!

Comment by tori — July 30, 2008 #
Happy Birthday Finn!! You are one handsome little boy. Those big blue eyes will melt a few hearts.

Enjoy!

Comment by Rachel — July 30, 2008 #
I love the scrunchy nose smile in the car.

Happy Two birthday!

Comment by Christina — July 30, 2008 #
He’s adorable and has great taste in They Might Be Giants. Check out http://www.funkymamamusic.com. My almost 4 yr old LOVES her. She’s a rocker mama, writes awesome songs and very nice in real life. We’ve been to her concerts…

Comment by MoxieMamaKC — July 30, 2008 #
That first picture is hilarious.

Comment by Kerri Anne — July 30, 2008 #
He is just SO adorable!!! Beautiful kid! Happy Birthday Sizzle’s Nephew!!

Comment by Marie — July 30, 2008 #
He’s so adorable Sizzle, lucky you! I’m with you, I love my nieces and nephews to death and I wish they were here in Seattle instead of Salem and Guam. :(

Comment by Chris — July 30, 2008 #
Happy Birthday Finn!

I think you and Charlie (who turns 2 TOMORROW) should be pals!

High-fives to the Leos!

Comment by jonb — July 30, 2008 #
He is a DOLL, and must date my niece. :)

Comment by sandra — July 30, 2008 #
Yeah Finn is 2! I think nephews are simply the best. I have 5 of my own who say the cutest stuff you’ve ever heard. It never gets old.

He is lucky to have you as his tee tee!

Comment by Jen Rotert — July 30, 2008 #
Happy Birthday Finn! You are one lucky boy to have such a wonderful TeeTee. :)

Comment by Lisa — July 30, 2008 #
He is absolutely too cute! Love love love (other people’s) little kids. And two is such a fun age! Happy birthday, Finn!

Comment by nicalyse — July 30, 2008 #
Happy birthday Finn!

Comment by hotpinksox — July 30, 2008 #
AWWW! Happy Birthday FINN!
He is soooo cute! So adorable!

Ayyy. I have to calm my biological clock. It is starting to tick and I keep hitting snooze.

Comment by gibsondog — July 30, 2008 #
He’s adorable! Lucky you. And my daughter calls my sister Tee Tee, also! We decided to go with initials, TT. This is because my daughter wanted to write a note to TT while at school, and the teacher spelled it “Titi”. Got a few laughs out of that one!

Comment by Michelle — July 30, 2008 #
ohmygoodness he is precious. sounds like quite the cute little kid :)

Comment by katelin — July 30, 2008 #
Happy Birthday Finn!! I find this age AMAZING. The favorite words, the dancing…..it’s wonderful!

My daughter calls my sister Tee Ta and boobs are boo boos.

Comment by skyzi — July 30, 2008 #
So he’s going to be a boob man, is he?

Happy Birthday little man! I can’t believe it’s already been two years.

Comment by gorillabuns — July 30, 2008 #
What a great tribute to your little nephew! And you moving to be near him makes you the coolest aunt on the planet.

Comment by Michael C — July 30, 2008 #
Well, if not a banker than a cabbie, ‘cuz really, that’s what I do with my coin … dance on it. ;o)

He’s adorable Sizz, Good move. Ready for one of your own yet?? heh. No pressure or anything. har

Comment by Michelle — July 30, 2008 #
Happy Birthday!!! He’s so precious!

Comment by Jen — July 30, 2008 #
What a fantastically adorable little guy! He has what I describe as childlike exuberance. Happy Birthday Finn, you are too cute for words.

Comment by Vanessa — July 30, 2008 #
I love a good love story! Now, neurotic mom here says, don’t let that adorable boy play in the front seat of the car! (Airbags and all.)

Comment by mamawhelming — July 30, 2008 #
NOM NOM NOM – oops! I just ate him up! He’s too cute!

O is almost two. It’s a great age.

Comment by paisley — July 30, 2008 #
Happy Birthday, sweet boy!!

I have a cute little girl, if you aren’t betrothed already…

Comment by Angella — July 30, 2008 #
So sweet! Happy Birthday Finn! Makes me miss my little nephew.

Comment by punchlinewalking — July 30, 2008 #
OMG, he is adorable!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday little man!

Comment by Smilf — July 30, 2008 #
What a dool Finn is! Happy Birthday little darling.

Comment by Annie — July 30, 2008 #
I meant doll :-), not dool!

Comment by Annie — July 30, 2008 #
Aww, what a cutie! I love being near all my nieces and nephews too.

Comment by Carrie — July 30, 2008 #
Happy Birthday Finn!

(love him)

Comment by lvgurl — July 30, 2008 #
If there was a World’s Cutest Boy, he’d be in the top two. (I think my own boy wonder is kinda cute, too.)

Oh, and in Puerto Rico, the aunt is Titi. Maybe Finn is bilingual? ;)

Comment by Eileen — July 30, 2008 #
Tee Tee has got to be one of the best names ever.

(And? STILL LAUGHING MY ASS OFF ABOUT STEPHANO. How sad is THAT?)

Comment by Loralee — July 30, 2008 #
What a little doll!!! And he can dance?? Think he’d be into ballet?! I have them as young as three… so next year… send him my way… :)

Comment by desireenb — July 30, 2008 #
Every time I see one of these posts, or I see my own nephews, my ovaries hurt.

Comment by scarlet hip — July 30, 2008 #
This is exactly the kind of thing I needed to see today. Finn is the epitome of cute.

Comment by brandy — July 30, 2008 #
Nephews are such wonderful creations! Yours is adorable.

Comment by Melissa — July 30, 2008 #
He is pretty darn cute! My lil nephew will be two on the fourth and he calls me ‘Lady’, because Aunty Kim is just too hard…great post!

Comment by Kim — July 30, 2008 #
He is just such a cutie. :) Toddlers are just the most hysterical little beings. I’m glad you are so smitten with him.

Comment by Nat — July 30, 2008 #
SWEET!!! What a cool cool place to be, around the youngin’. I know my sister, who is on the other coast, wishes to be around my kids more. When she comes to town, I am obsolete. I might as well go on vacation. No one would miss me.

Comment by stepping over the junk — July 30, 2008 #
OMG Sizz… I signed on to wordpress and your blog is featured on the front page of wordpress !!

Comment by NerdGirl — July 30, 2008 #
aw… can I have him? I want one : (

Comment by robin — July 30, 2008 #
Man your nephew is cute!
Happy Birthday little man!
My son turned 2 in late may, so they are close in age. Neat to see what you N is up to and what my son does. Boys are so boys!

Comment by Kaili — July 30, 2008 #
seriously sizzle, he’s just the cutest little peanut. i love when you talk about him. he’s one lucky little man to have you as an aunt!

Comment by brookem — July 31, 2008 #
What a wonderful post and tribute! He’s such a cutie pie. This post makes me miss my nieces!

Comment by Diane Mandy — July 31, 2008 #
Growing up, I loved my aunt more than anything, except she was Aunt BeeBee (long list of reasons). He’s a lucky boy to have you.

Comment by Elizabeth — July 31, 2008 #
big FINN love
xo

Comment by jenny two times — July 31, 2008 #
You are so lucky to be a Tee Tee. :) Happy belated birthday, Finnypants!

Comment by diane — July 31, 2008 #
Happy Birf’day to him!

Comment by Krystal — July 31, 2008 #
I love Finn’s cheeks.
Happy belated birthday Finn!! What a lovely Tee Tee you have for writing such a beautiful post.

Comment by Josie — July 31, 2008 #
A belated happy birthday to Mr. Finn. Charlie can’t wait to get together for a playdate, I have a feeling they’ll be fast friends!

Comment by andrea — July 31, 2008 #
He is tooooooo cute for words. And MAN does he ever look like you! That first photo is a dead ringer.

Comment by Mayberry Magpie — July 31, 2008 #
Great post! My oldest son learned the colour “yellow” first, and for a short time EVERYthing was yellow. Or “wellow”.

Nick, what colour is this book?
Wellow.

Nick, what colour is Elmo?
Wellow.

and so forth. Now he’s 12 and he learned a few more colours along the way.

Comment by Steve Boyko — August 1, 2008 #
Yeah, I think I was at least four before I noticed ta-ta’s.

Happy birthday, Finn. What a cutie! And maybe it’s just me reading between the lines here, but I get the feeling you kinda like him :)

Comment by Bone — August 1, 2008 #
I don’t even know the kid but I love him. I absolutely adore him to be honest. And I miss seeing him on your flickr! You should tape him giggling for all of us who would love to hear him giggle. And happy wishes for another year of fun adventures. Amy

Comment by Amy — August 3, 2008 #
happy birthday finn!

Comment by little miss mel — August 3, 2008 #
Awwwww! He’s so big now!! And cuter than ever! :) You’re such an awesome auntie!

Comment by emmaenlighted — August 4, 2008 #
Oh no! I missed Finn’s Birthday! Happy birthday buddy.

Comment by alissa — August 4, 2008 #
I’m very late, but happy belated birthday, sweet boy!!! What a terrific post. He’s a keeper!

Comment by sue — August 5, 2008 #