Month Thirty-One

Dear Abe,

Okay, I know this is late, but I cannot take putting it off any longer. So this may be a pretty crappy monthly update. I may add some photos later, but I may not. Sorry. I am a little preoccupied at the moment and busy preparing for the major changes that are upon us. You poor little guy, I don't think you have any clue what is about to happen. But, I figure I can get one get-out-of-jail-free card, and I am taking it now.

So, let's just talk about this baby that is coming. I think you are pretty aware now, and may be in a little denial. You may be as sick of people asking you if you are excited to be a big brother, as I am of people asking me if I am having twins. I know, it gets old. I think you are a good boy, and I know that you will be a big help, but I am not in denial that there won't be a teensy bit of backlash. Say, in the form of potty training regression?? Or, perhaps in weird habits that are forming such as licking things (my face, my shoulder, the door), or being an overall sassafrass?? Yeah, I have picked up on some things, you can't fool me mister. But, I won't hold it completely against you, because you have started randomly kissing my belly and giving it hugs. So sweet.

A big milestone this month is that you pooped on the potty! This is very exciting because you had some issues with it, and would refuse to do it. I didn't understand what your issue was -- were you scared? Did it hurt? Did you love it too much to flush it away? (all valid points.) So, I will share what did make it magically happen -- Action Canyon. Let me explain:

So, we went to visit your Grandma and Papa in Highland one weekend. There must have been a tiny Thomas catalog booklet thing laying around -- one of your favorite types of books. You were flipping through and spotted the one thing you wanted more than ever. ACTION CANYON -- a Thomas track that includes a falling bridge, waterfall, and twirly track. Well, of course you informed all of us, "I want that." Over, and over, and over, and over again. We all said, okay, maybe for your birthday. But, then Grandma Pat said, "Abe, I will buy you that if you go poop on the potty!"

Of course, those words didn't seem to really mean anything to you, because later on, when everyone was occupied doing something else, and your Grandma was in the kitchen by herself, you quietly went over, booklet in hand and started breaking her down CIA fashion.
"Grandma, I want that. I want that, Grandma."

You kept repeating and repeating, and a few times I heard her say, "I will buy it for you when you go poop in the potty!" But, when your voice started to get shaky and desperate, "Grandmaaaaaaaa, I waaaaaaaaaaaant thhhhaaat. I waaaaaaaaaaant Action Canyoonnnnnnnnn!"

She finally said, "Okay, let me call K-Mart." At which point your Daddy and I said, Oh no you don't! Absolutely not! But, the number was already dialed. Well, K-Mart didn't have it. Of course you were already laying in a pool of tears on the kitchen floor clutching your "papers" as you called your tiny Thomas catalog. She called another store, and they didn't have it, and we just said that is enough. He will get it when he gets it.

So, eventually, you had forgotten about it (well, so we thought). Even though you slept with your "papers" every night, gazing at the Action Canyon scene with the happy little boy playing. By this time your papers had grown tattered, and we had to tape it up so that it would be reinforced.

Well, Wednesday came around and guess what had arrived from Grandma- Action Canyon! But, you didn't know that. She had ordered it online, and your Daddy and I had made the decision to not give it to you until you: a) pooped on the potty or b) turned 10. Whichever came first.

Your Daddy had such a hard time not giving it to you, but I stayed strong. "We can't just give him everything he wants! He needs to earn it!" He said I was right. So, that night after we had gotten home from dinner you looked at me and said, "Mama my doopah hurts!" I wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but then I thought maybe you have to go POOP!

So, we ran to the bathroom and sure enough you went poop on the potty. YAY! So, you ended up getting Action Canyon that night after all (Thank GOD it had arrived so we could make good on our promise). You were so happy and excited. You didn't want to stop playing to go to bed, so we let you take the box and sleep with it. And, you STILL sleep with that box (weeks later) and your papers, and two trains. Every morning you wake up so early and say, "Mama, I wanna go downstairs and play Action Canyon."

I guess that was a very long story, but I do think that is important for you to know in case you still like to sleep with empty boxes of things when you are older.

You are at such a fun age, and I love listening to what comes out of your mouth, because you just never know. You tell us stories of your day at school, and you have no problem telling us even when you get in trouble. "I was throwing mulch today with Julianna and Maggie. It was in Julianna's Hair!! Then I had to sit down." I hope that continues as you get into your teenage years. (I am not holding my breath.)

I came home one day from work and you came running in to collect the train you had left in the car from that morning (a daily ritual). You ran back into the other room, and then minutes later ran back into the kitchen like you forgot something and said, "I love you Mama!" and gave me a kiss and a hug. That was the first time you had ever said that to me on your own, and I cannot even describe the happiness it made me feel. Like, all of this mothering stuff has finally paid off. My kid actually loves me! It is good to hear it once and awhile, but I think you have met your quota for at least a few years.

Love,
Mama