Dapper

1 year

George's birthday was last week. I can't believe how fast the past year has gone by.

Snippets:
A month or so ago George was playing on the floor on the other side of the coffee table from me. All of a sudden he started laughing and laughing. I found him lying on his back "reading" one of his favorite books (upside down). As if that wasn't cute enough, he was using his feet to help hold the book.

George has learned to tease. Often when I drink from my big water bottle with a straw, he takes the straw and puts it in his own mouth. He's even learned to drink from the straw. One night he had just being in charge of the straw--he took it from my mouth, then put it back, then took it again, then acted like he was going to give it back, but didn't, etc. He thought it was hilarious! Especially when he'd move the straw just out of my reach, or put the straw in my mouth only to immediately take it back again.

I'm insanely proud of every milestone, no matter how small. Although my heart raced to hear he'd climbed the stairs all by himself, I was eager to see it for myself. I adore his little clap (that makes no noise at all). You should see him knock down blocks or toss an empty bottle aside. I cheered him on when he finally decided to crawl on his hands and knees instead of the army crawl that he's so good at. Even though it required increased baby-proofing, I was proud of his mastery of the kitchen cupboards and drawers, the pocket door for the half bath, and the toilet paper roll. It melts my heart to see his face light up (and sometimes his arms flap with excitement) when he sees me walk in the door after a day at work.

There are things that as he's grown older he doesn't do any more. I miss those things--like falling asleep in my arms. When he was just a couple months old, he would turn his head and snuggle into the crook of my arm. If I covered him with a blanket when he did that, he'd be asleep in seconds. It seems like forever since he's done that. But recently he's started randomly coming up to me as he's cruising around the living room and snuggling his head into my lap, and then continuing on his way. Last night Marty was sleeping on the couch when George did his snuggle drive-by--first he snuggled Marty's shoulder, then Marty's waste. So sweet!

He's totally a charmer and a flirt. He has this little "side pose" that he uses on the ladies in Relief Society. I was a little surprised when I took him to the babysitter's one day and within a minute the little girl who is a few months older than George walked up to him and kissed him. And more often than not I feel like Sacrament meeting turns into a show, starring George--as he's working the crowd of adults, teens, kids, and babies sitting around us. This past Sunday there were two little girls about George's age who were definitely competing for his attention--he was happy to split his time and attention between the two. And then there's the complete strangers...the guy in the elevator this morning as we were leaving the Doctor's office, people at the grocery store, and even people walking past us on the sidewalk...with a smile he's won them over.

No doubt about it, he's won me over--more than I ever thought possible. Each day I see a little something that has changed from the day before. He looks a little bit more like a little boy and less like a little baby. Happy birthday, little guy. I love you!