Jack,

Daddy has named you "Jack the MAK," M.A.K. is for Most Annoying Kid. 

Isn't that sweet?  A few weeks ago we found out you had a recurring double ear infection and felt bad for a bit... like maybe there was a reason for your behavior.  But that was only for a bit, because after a few weeks of antibiotics there was a slight but not total improvement.  We try to explain your behavior to each other as if to say, "no really, there is a reason he acts like this."  But the most we can come up with is that a) you want to do more than you can, b) you want to say more than you can, c) you are the baby of the bunch and don't know how to entertain yourself, or d) you want to do more than you can.  In reality, though, this is what I know to be true:  a) you don't like to be told "no"  b)  you want everyone's full attention and service at all times c) you are into ev-ree-thing and d) you don't like to be told "no."

Not Your Average Dictionary defines boy as "a noise with dirt on it."  That's YOU.  You are a loud, driven, stubborn, LOUD individual.  I used to get SO annoyed with my brother for all his spitting boy noises.  You know exactly the kind I mean- the kind you and Evan make every ride to school in the morning like a bunch of drooling race cars on a mad path to collision.  And those feelings toward my brother resurface when you get started- but just at first- and then I smile.  I smile because this is the first time I've gotten to experience not just "brother" but "brothers."  And I love watching brothers.

You mimic, hug, laugh, push, yell and spit together already and you're only 17 months old.  I can't imagine the treasures- and challenges, (let's keep it real here-) that the following years are going to offer, but let me be clear- YOU owe him.  

He is the most tolerant with you.  You hit him over the head with both hands- just pound on him- and he laughs and kisses your belly.  You poke at him when he's in time out.  Sometimes you sit in his lap when he's in time out.  In fact, maybe I should blame him for your behavior.  He SPOILS you. 

You lie on his lap while you watch Veggie Tales and hold his hand on car rides.  It's ridiculous.  Ridiculously sweet.

(This is actually Madalyn's hand under yours)

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."  -Marc Brown

You can't ever say you're not loved.  Despite your annoyingness, I kiss your little red mouth a thousand times a day and blow you a hundred kiss across the room, and say I love you a baker's dozen... I stroke your hair ten times a day, and kiss your eyelids at least 5 because there's something I love about your eyelids... other than that they give you sleep... and me sleep...

And Evan does all these things, too.

Well, I better to go bed because Madalyn had a nightmare last night that an owl was in her room and ate the little pumpkin on her bedside table, so it might be another long night... 

...but I just wanted to tell you that you are annoying.  It's true. But! you can never say you aren't loved unconditionally.  And deeply, at that.  If anyone has shown you that kind of love, it's your brother. 

(And somewhere down below his name on that long list of people who love you well, is mine.)

I love you, precious, precious BOY-

Mommy