Month Twenty-nine

Dear Abe,

It is winter. It is cold. It is snowy. My stress levels are slightly higher in the winter because the roads always seem to be bad, and when you have a toddler, you worry so much more about driving them around than just you. And, you always get some sort of nasty illness that worries me to no end and in turn feeds into my horrible hypochondriac tendencies, thus driving your father nuts. So, yeah, I wish it were at least March.

But, the best thing about you (and probably most kids) is that you don’t care what month it is or whether it is January, April or June. You are just happy to be alive and eat fruit snacks. Sure, you would much rather be outside playing every day, but really, what can beat a good episode of Thomas and Friends in your jammies, with a nice cold cup of apple juice on Saturday morning. Not much.



You are communicating so much more, and now in full sentences. You really can tell us what happened at school. It is quite amazing, and sometimes I forget that a year ago you were just saying one word things like “party” and “choo choo.” Now you say things like, “No, YOU take this medicine, Mama!” And, in a very sassy way, I might add. You ask questions all the time. My favorite is, “Mama, what’s this called?” when you want us to read a word in a book or on a shirt.

We are still working on the potty training, and I am going to admit, I HAVE NO FREAKING CLUE WHAT I AM DOING. None at all. I just keep trying to work with you and praise you where appropriate and pray that one day you will just wake up and go to the potty by yourself. We have started to put you in your Thomas undies on some days, and remind you that you can’t go potty in them. Needless to say most of the time we hear, “Oh no! I peed my pants!” But, I think that is okay. You will get it before you are 5, I am sure.



We went to the Children’s Museum this month. I was so excited to take you now, because you understand so much more from a year ago. I told you that there were trains and dinosaurs there. Of course you asked every five seconds after that when we were going to see the trains. When we got there we took you straight to the trains and you sort of took everything in silently. When I say that, I mean you did not crack a smile and stared at everything a little creepily to soak it all in. After the first go through with the trains, you were ready to rock and roll and had to go see them about 20 more times. Then, you proceeded to sprint through the dinosaur exhibit, which I think you enjoyed “running” spiral ramps more than anything.

My favorite part of the trip was taking you to the Playscape area, which is like a giant indoor park for kids 5 and under. The last time you were there, you showed us your perseverance by making your way over the rickety bridge until you could do it standing up. Well, this time you found another challenge – a little plastic log that bridged two areas of a platform. As soon as you saw that thing you went for it, and of course the first time fell down. Well, you got right back up, ran all the way around to the beginning and did it again. You did it again, and again, and again until you mastered it. “I DID IT MAMA!” you said. Your daddy and I sat on a bench and watched you go. We couldn’t decide if this meant you were going to be a gymnast, a log roller, or a contestant on Ninja Warrior.

In any case, we were so proud of you. Not just for mastering the balancing act, but for not giving up until you got it right. That is something that will benefit you in so many ways when you are older, and I am glad that it seems to come naturally to you now. Because, let me tell you, things will get harder than any log roll out there. But, I think you will be just fine. Just remember not to potty in your pants.

Love,
Mama