The boy is growing like a wild popcorn-eating plant. Yes, popcorn is one of his favorite foods. I’d hoped he wouldn’t be a picky eater but he is going through a phase. He simply will not eat food that we encourage him to eat. If we just put it on the plate and don’t say anything he might take a bite, maybe. But you can bet if I ask him to try something he will refuse with all the might of a full-fledged toddler. I did force him to eat Jello the other day and it turns out he thinks that’s pretty good after all. He also likes eggs, pizza, and apples. All of which he asks for by name.

I don’t worry about it too much though, since I’m still breastfeeding. Yes, you heard that right—he’s almost two, he talks, walks and is still breastfed. I figure half of you are shaking your head in disgust and the other half are really impressed with my boobs. And I suppose there is a small contingent who could care less either way, but there you have it. He does not have a name for the boobs, which I’m kind of grateful for, but he does climb in my lap, stick his hand in my shirt, and start to pant when he wants to nurse. I think he gets that from his father.

He has many many words, and even more half words. Half words? Oh you know, when he’ll only say half of a word and we go along with it because we know what he’s talking about. Like, “Mon” for monster, which actually indicates either Sesame Street or his favorite book “The Monster at the End of this Book.” Or “Dump” for truck, any truck, they are all dump, said with two syllables “Dum-pah”. Or “Corn” for popcorn.

He also says apple, pizza, and egg— as established earlier. He says star, dog, cat, plane, bike, elbow, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, walk, two, color, book, bath, two, fork, spoon, bowl, two, car, McQueen, Mater, and two (he really likes two). I’m sure there are more but you get the idea.

As evidence in those a few of those at the end of the list, he’s completely obsessed with Cars. You know, it was our intention to limit TV. In fact, we didn’t want him to watch any TV until after two. Then somewhere around 8 months old, we saw an episode of Yo Gabba and it’s been down hill since then. The TV took over. It’s just so much easier to put something on and then have all that free time to do chores (or read a book, check in with my social media addictions, or simply stare off into space for a few minutes).

Last week, after seeing Cars for the 58th time in a row, I decided to moved the TV out of the living room. Notice, I didn’t say we got rid of the TV. It is still a useful tool, but only in moderation. I’ve made it harder to simply have the TV on all day. Now, we have to consciously go into another room to sit down and watch a program together. But all of our books and toys and usually Mama and Papa are in the living room. So, Bren tends to gravitate to that room. It’s only been a bit but it has already improved our quality of life. I expect hundreds of words to flow out of that little mouth now that the TV will be off more.

Sorry for my long absence. Work has been really interesting, but takes up all my computer time. And when I’m not working, Bren doesn’t really tolerate me spending time on the computer, not unless he can type. I will make an effort to update more, even if I’ve lost all my readers. I don’t want to forget any of this great stuff going on and I know at least Nannie is reading. Hi Mom. Well, that’s all for now. Two-ddles.