These days you…

• …have discovered your shadow. It didn’t scare you, just fascinated you — you couldn’t seem to understand why that thing on the wall moved when you did.
• …run everywhere you go. Why walk, when running’s so much more fun?
• …spin like a whirling dervish for absolutely no reason. Then you stop and look around to be sure I’m watching and laughing with you.
• …eat apple slices as if they were watermelon. It’s pretty funny to see you hold a small piece of apple in both hands, and munch down the middle. It’s not as funny to find the discarded peelings, usually with my bare feet.
• …torment the dogs. Today, when I wasn’t looking (bad mama?), you cornered Clay in his crate and he nipped you. The idea that I could have to give up the dogs one day terrifies me. Then again, almost immediately after, you wanted Clay to be your best friend again. You offered food. He accepted the apology.
• …know that I have a small container of mini-M&Ms on the shelf with your diapers. They’ve worked their magic to keep you from struggling and rolling during changes, but you’re a bit too smart for your own good. Earlier today, you insisted that you needed a diaper change, even though you were clean and dry.
• …have started to head-bang. You’d do some 80s hair-band groupies proud. After you learned that I wasn’t falling for your trickery to get M&Ms, you pitched a 2-hour-long mother of all tantrums, complete with slamming your head on the (carpeted, thank god) floor. I hope the headache was worth it. You still didn’t get the candy.
• …love hiking as much as I do. This one makes me all warm-and-fuzzy inside. I can’t even tell you how happy I am that you like being outdoors. I wish I were able to take you outside all the time, all day long. I also wish you could understand why I can’t.
• …make up songs all. the. time. What are you singing? Beats me…but you’re pretty emphatic about it.
• …speak your own language. Some of my friends’ kids the same age are already using 2- and 3-word sentences. You’re not. You use signs. You use single words. You get your point across, and that’s enough for you right now. You also deliver long lectures in Klingon. When you finally decide to talk for real, you might actually give *me* a run for my money.
• …talk to strangers. You flirt with them, even. I still love taking you places, and even feel a little bit lost when you’re not with me. It’s good for me to get time away, but you’re so much of who I am.
• …need more time with other kids. I’m working on that whole “job outside the home” thing, and I know it will be the best option for us both. Just the same, when I consider how many fewer hours I’ll have with you, I’m sad.
• …make my heart swell until I think it could burst. You’re funny. You’re smart. You’re stubborn. You’re active. You’re gorgeous. The best compliment I get, ever? “Wow, you two look just alike.”