Month Twenty-One

Dear Abe,
This month I was struck with an odd problem. Is the word “twenty-one” a hyphenated word? Upon extensive research that lasted 11 days, I found out that, yes, it is indeed hyphenated. I am glad that is cleared up. Now, onto exciting tales of toddlerdom.

So, you are a pretty funny little dude. Last month I was fretting about how you were so mad at me and I was secretly worried that I scarred you for life and that our bond was ruined and you would have “mommy issues” like Dr. Evil has “daddy issues.” Well, we have made up and you love me again.

In fact, I think you even prefer for me to put you to bed, because I will read “Big Red Car” 18 times in a row. Your nighttime rituals have even become a bit OCD, but I am not going to worry about that one, because your father is borderline OCD. You must have all of your “things” in bed with you. Wiggles cup. Thomas the choo choo. Diego pillow. Two blankies (green with elephants and blue with weird stuff on it). Milk. Then, I must kiss all of these things and line them up on your pillow. Thomas the Train must be upright. Then, I must kiss your piggies and sing the “Abe” song (which is “Sweet Baby James” with Abe substituted for James. I know, super clever). I am not sure if your daddy does all of those things. So, that is our thing. Bedtime. And, I am okay with that. Daddy is very good at letting your pour mud all over your head. That is his thing.

You are talking up a storm, and I am pretty sure if we said any word you would repeat it after us. So, now, it is exciting when you say two words together and sometimes even more. I think we can officially say that your first sentence was, “I fix it!” You have also added inflection to your words, and I love it. You say:

“Ohhhhhhhh-kay!”
” No no, Ozzie. No no.”
” Peeeeeeeeeez.” (please)
” Tank-oooooo. “ (thank you)
“Papa house.”

You also really try hard to say, “No touch Ozzie poo poo .” Your Dada had to tell you not to touch Ozzie’s poo poo when you were outside, and now if anyone says “no” or “poo poo” you instantly start trying to repeat it, while wagging your finger at us.

I am also super proud to say that you can now pronounce your “Ws” and say WIGGLES correctly!! You are still quite the dancer, and our Flight of the Conchords CD is becoming one of your favorites. We play it while we cook dinner and you shake your little head in your chair and bop around.

After all of that has been said, I think for historical records we have to make a mention of your meltdowns. As an honest journalist, I have to paint the good with the bad, and I am also finding that people (like grandmas and grandpas) seem to forget exactly what it was like when their kids were little. So, yeah, your meltdowns. They are pretty melty to say the least. However, to your defense, the worst ones have been when you are pretty tired. After the first one your father and I were very nervous. I mean, we all know about temper tantrums, but you don’t really know the intensity or decibels of one until you see your child, firsthand

At first it is scary. Then it is funny. Then it is frustrating. Then it is painful. I hope that we can all look back and laugh about how you would get so upset and scream and lay on the floor and then walk over and hit Ozzie then hit the couch then say unintelligible things then stop abruptly as soon as we offer you a random thing. Like, “Abe, do you want a tomato?” Kay.

But, you love to laugh and give kisses and I would give just about 30 temper tantrums to hear you say “Dank oooo” or hear your hearty laugh even once. I know that the tantrums are normal, and your father and I are working on coping mechanisms. Maybe by the time you are 29 we will have it figured out. Until then, please bear with us.

Love,
Mama (or Mommy as you have randomly started calling me)