Monthy report -- 14th month, another connection severed

Dear Benevolent Dictator --

Before I begin talking about the milestones that occurred this month (and believe me, there's some MAJOR ones), I do have to tell you one thing:

I appreciate your adventurous palate. Really, I do. I find your interest in trying new things to be quite exciting. However, I think we need to draw the line at the following:

Sand;
Bubble soap (trying once is one thing, but going back again and again is another):
Paper; and
Random items found on the floor.

Thank you. I don't want to have to go diving in your mouth to retrieve these items, now that you've got teeth.

This month, you got to have major bonding time with Grandma when your daddy and I went to Gen Con for five blissful gaming days and grown-up time. This isn't to say that we don't love you (because we love you oodles and oodles), but when you get older and if you decide to have children, you'll realize that grown-up time with the person you decided to have kids with is very important. It keeps your relationship strong as a team -- and it reminds you why you decided to have kids with this person in the first place.

That was a little exciting because for five days, you went without nursing. And as of today, it's been 10 days since you took a nip from my boobs. And you don't miss it. There's no pawing at me, no begging to nurse. You're not looking back.

That doesn't really surprise me, since it seemed like you were only nursing when I offered the tappers to you. I have a feeling that for the past month or so, it was me who needed the habit of nursing more than you needed my milk. Admittedly, it was pretty easy -- get up in the morning, take you to the guest room, nurse for a few minutes while I dozed and then at night, where I read a book, while you happily sucked away.

But the funny thing is that I don't miss it as much as I thought I would. I'm not a fan of the leaky boobs in the morning, but it's not that big of a deal. Maybe I was also ready to be weaned, but needed you to take the lead, which you do in many cases.

This is just another way of emphasizing the fact that you've hit toddlerhood. When we got back from Gen Con, you showed that you're basically walking around the house (you now can get up to a standing position by yourself) and you're talking more. Right now everything is a "flower" to you. Even trees. We'll soon be explaining botany to you and the difference between flowers and trees. As well as the difference between a "kitty" and a wolf.

Yesterday, we spent the day with Aunt Stella, Uncle Dan, Elliott and Maddie (as well as Po Po and Lao Nai Nai) in Milwaukee. It was wild seeing the differences between the three of you. Elliott and Maddie were running around and playing and talking. Even though you were playing with them, you also spent a lot of time sitting quietly and watching them. I feel like you were taking notes during that time, as if to figure out what to do, now that you've hit Toddler, Level One.

Welcome to toddlerhood. It should be a blast.

Love,

Momma