Month Thirteen and Month Forty-Five

Dear Sam and Abe,

Welcome to another edition of, "Your Mom Sucks and Has Tried to Save Time By Writing One Blog for Both of You" aka, "Life Just Isn't Fair, Part XXXV" aka, "This is Not Called Half-Assing, I Promise." In any case, the last month has kicked my ass and made me its bitch. Is that too vulgar for you two? Well, hopefully, you won't be reading this until you have seen the "Goonies," so this language will be perfectly acceptable by that time, perhaps even used in dinner conversation.

Anyways, May was tough. Sam, you were sick. Not deathly ill or anything, just sick with colds, snot, and ear infections, which I am sure are painful. And, you sure let us know it was painful. This month the introduction to baby Sam's diva attitude or should I call it, Sam-Fierce, has showed some superstar potential. You like to show us your "emotion" by throwing your head back, and rolling around the floor while screaming. Sometimes you arch your back for extra effect, and throw your legs up in the air or on something. I am sure that for a few of these instances, you were in pain, but I think for most of these instances, you just did not get your way. DRAMAAAAAAA!!!

But, I do not want to paint a crazy picture of you, because while you have a bit of a temper, you are also very snugly. You would let me snuggle with you all day long, and love to give me hugs. You love stuffed animals, and walk around while hugging them intermittently.

And, I must say, you are mostly pretty happy. Smiling is your favorite (just like Buddy the Elf!) You are starting to talk more now, and you seem to know exactly what is going on, even if you can't say it. You love Elmo and say, "Mellllll-MooooooooooE!" whenever you see him. You can open doors, and walk over to the pantry and point to the food you want to eat. You also try to go outside any chance you get, "OUT! OUT!" You know your head, hair, nose, eyes, and ears. You are still super busy and will not stop moving unless it is to watch the Wiggles, who you love (DUH. Is it just in the Drlich genes or something?) You love music and your body becomes a slave to the beat.

One morning while I was driving both of you to school, there was some crazy song on the radio, that I thought I would turn up and start jamming to. When I turned around, I saw Sam's one little arm up in the air, "Beatin' up the beat," with a stone-cold, serious face. Then, I look at Abe and he is staring out the window with his blankey shoved halfway down his throat, probably thinking that his life sucks,and how he will go write a song about it when he gets to school.

Which brings me to my sweet Abe. You never really went through the Terrible Twos, but man, the Terrible Three-and-a-Halfs! Those are something. You aren't bad, but you are definitely testing your limits. And now, you are a smart little guy, so you know how to work it. Let's just say, the frequency of Time Outs have increased exponentially.

But, let's get to the good stuff, because there is lots of it. You are sweet. You are smart. You are freaking HILARIOUS. You are a verbal assassin. The way you articulate things, and use inflection while talking is such, that I wish I could take recordings with you everywhere I go and show people. You are that funny.

You have started calling Sam, "Sammy." All on your own. It makes me giggle every time I hear it. We never planned to call Sam, Sammy, but you know, if that's what you want to call him, who are we to say no? Generally, you are pretty good with him, and you share your stuff pretty well. Actually, more so than I thought you would. You do like it when he is around, and I am finding that when he isn't, you sense something is missing. I don't quite know how to explain it, but you two complement each other well, and to get sappy on you, it has been one of my greatest joys as a parent -- to watch brothers interact. The way you make each other laugh, the way you don't mind when Sam is standing too close.

But I digress. You are thoughtful. Today you wanted to be sure to pick up special treats for all of your friends on the last day of school. You reminded me twice. You love giving gifts, and coloring pictures especially for me.

I guess I could go on for days about how you both are so much alike, and so different. You both love books, sprinklers, dogs, and french fries. Sam loves rap, Abe loves classic rock. And while this parenting thing is tough, and there are times that I don't think another thing could go wrong, and our house looks like someone has ransacked it, and there is at least one character from Toy Story in every room -- there will be something that happens that makes it all worth it. You boys rock my world.

Love,
Mama