A to Z: 16 months

Bennett will be 16 months this weekend - not a major milestone - but I just wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on the many things I am loving about him right now because, well, that makes me happy. I smile as I type thinking about the happiness he brings to us.

1. That we can give him a popsicle to help a busted lip. And regardless of how sour he thinks it is, he kept on licking and sucking until it was gone and covering his face, hands and shirt.

2. Taking independence to a new level. Upon walking into the kitchen at any given time of the day, he might decide he wants a banana. Its not that I give him anything he wants, but it's a banana and he likes them and they are good for him. So our new ritual is to peel it, I hold and he takes these enormous bites until it is gone. I love it.

3. Running. No walking exists. Just running.

4. When he is 10 feet away from a set of stairs, but because we have practiced at my parents, he turns around and starts sliding backwards on his tummy.

5. His smile. Seconds before I snapped this picture, he was trying to walk the dog, but when I picked up the camera, he dropped the leash and smiled. I melted.

6. How much he loves to take a book off his shelf and run over to the same hardwood floor spot in his room to spread out and read the book.

7. Trying to sing E-I-E-I-O in Old MacDonald Had a Farm

8. Laughing at other littles around him - little friends or little cousins. He likes other children and I love it.

9. When his daddy is laying on the floor, he will run over and lay on top of him and say "awww."

10. Dress-up and Easter Outfits. We are still a bit stir crazy, so we tried on an Easter outfit...picked it up on clearance last spring for $13.50 and it is perfect.