Month Fifteen

Dear Abe,

It has finally happened. You have grown up. Well, I guess not in the sense that you are moving out of the house and starting a band grown up, but you now think it is not cool to kiss your mama.

Let me explain: lately, when I drop you off at daycare you practically jump out of my arms and run around the room like a crazy man. You walk over to the little girls (you are the only boy in the class … oooh ladeesth man) and instantly start pointing to things and say, “Dat? Dat? Dat? Dat?” You know how to say “Ella” (a girl in your class), and your teacher’s name Nicole (or “Co” as you pronounce it), and you know the floor has frogs and ducks on it.

Today I was about to leave, and because you no longer grab for me or cling at my legs, I have to shout, “BYE ABE!” to get your attention. You looked at me like, “Whatever lady. Peace out.” That was not good enough for me. I needed some sort of loving validation from you, so I said, “Abe, can I have a kiss?” And you puckered your lips into a kiss like a sweet little boy. Right as I was about to lean in, you turned your head and ran away. God forbid you kiss your mother in front of all of your new girlfriends.

I will admit my heart did break a little, because there is nothing better than a kiss from you, but it did make me smile and think that my little boy is growing up. I swear, at that school of yours you do crazy things that you would never do at home. When I was there during lunchtime, I saw you sitting in a little chair, at a little table, with all of the little girls eating away with your spoon. It was like a little miniature 90210 gang at the Peach Pit. (you are totally Dylan).



This month a switch has gone off in your brain and you are talking and talking and talking and talking. Your Daddy and I cannot believe it, and have to tell each other what you said every time one of us misses something you do or say. You walk around like a little man, opening the refrigerator, asking for more grapes. You have learned to do a fake laugh – a hearty “Hah hah hah” when it is appropriate to do a fake laugh. When you wake up in the morning you look at me and ask, “Gagools?” And, I say, “Yes, we will watch them downstairs.” And you body relaxes a little and you smile. You say, “bye bye,” to Daddy whenever I take you upstairs to go to bed. You say, “Bye bye Ahhh-eee,” when we leave to go to work. You know what the number two is (not going number two, but you can identify the number).

You and Ozzie have become best friends. Well, it’s more like you are Ozzie’s best friend and Ozzie is your fluffy torture toy. Ozzie is so happy there is someone around to play with. You will give him a toy and then take it away really fast, and run around the house and under the tables. Ozzie loves it – his tail wags and he gets into “puppy mode.” When you say, “Dog dog,” Ozzie comes running in to see what you want. We have to work on you not putting your fingers in his nose, or trying lay on him like a big fluffy pillow ( I know, it is hard to resist.)

It is all happening so fast – one day I was holding you in my arms, and now you are like Buddy the Elf on Papa Elf’s lap. I love watching you play, talk, eat, sleep – it is all fascinating to me. I love you so much, so would you please throw your mom a freaking bone and give her a kiss?

Love,
Mama