Month Thirteen

Dear Abe,

Finally! Month 13 arrives. There is a lot to talk about. You have turned into quite the chatterbox, and everyday you say something new.



First, I think we need to address your obessession with the Wiggles. Your father and I have likened it to Beatlemania. It is very cute at first, but then it becomes a tad off-putting. We have limited your Wiggle watching to the 7 a.m. show in the morning, with a once in awhile viewing of the DVD. If we didn't limit you, you would never move from your spot in front of the DVD -- it puts you in a trance. You haven't started crying at the sight of them, but we think you have gotten so excited you pooped your pants (it has happened on more than one occassion).

Your favorite song is one called "Di Dicki Do Dum" and it features four little girls doing an Irish jig. You dance and clap and spin around when it comes on. It is so hilarious that we are thinking of hiring an agent and putting you on tour as an opening act.

This morning when you woke up, you didn't say your usual, "Mama. Dada. Dog Dog." You said, "GaGools." That, we have learned, means Wiggles. At first we had no idea what you were saying.
"GaGools," you would say and point.
"Banana? Do you want a banana?"
"GaGools!" you would say even louder. Well, we are pretty sure that it is Wiggles after you pressed the DVD "open" button grabbed the DVD and ran around saying "GaGools! GaGools! GAGOOOOOLS!!!!" Then, when we wouldn't play it for you, you commenced into a full on temper tantrum, throwing yourself on the floor into your blankey. See, Beatlemania.

Other than GaGools you say: Mama, Dada, Nana (banana), toe (toast), Wawa (water), AhhEee (ozzie), Grandma (sounds pretty much like it), dat (that), and my favorite, Nonononono while wagging your finger at us. That one you picked up from a little girl at daycare. (thanks so much).

You know your head and that five little joeys jumping on the bed, hit their head (thank you Wiggles). You know your name is Abe, because you hit your chest when we say your name.

This past weekend at little Rian O'Maley's first birthday party you were a little crazy man. You ran around with balls and waved to everyone. When it was time for Rian to open her presents, you started playing with one of her new ones, a school bus. Rian saw you and came over to play. You looked right at her and hit her right on top of the head. WTF?! That is not cool. I hope the head hitting thing is just a phase. Luckily she is one tough cookie because she just gave you a look like, "Bring it on."

You are such a big boy -- running around everywhere. YOu love playing outside. You especially love playing in the dirt and smearing it in your head. I really don't understand how boys know that the dirt is their friend at such a young age. I always thought that my kid wouldn't be constantly dirty or have snot coming out of their nose. Well, it is quite inevitable. I can't really do anything about it.

We have officially thrown away all of your bottles. It is really a relief to me, but it is also a little sad too. I loved rocking you to sleep every night. But, I still do. You just have to listen to me sing all of the songs I know the words too, which unfortunately include a lot of Disney ones. I have thrown in some Indigo girls in there, as well. I am trying to keep you well-rounded.

You really are the funniest person I know. I am so excited because I love hanging out with you. You are my new best friend! I know I have to take advantage of this time because pretty soon you won't want to be caught dead with me. But, until then, when I have the power to turn off and on the Wiggles, you are stuck with me, kid.

Love you,
Mama