A busy couple of weeks

This time last year, we were walking around Brea in the dark, breathing through contractions and crossing our fingers for a long night. In two days, it will be Henley's first birthday, and as he approaches 1 year old it feels like he's becoming the fun baby we've been waiting for. In the past two weeks, Henley has started:

• Walking wherever he wants, whenever he wants
• Taking books off the shelf and bringing them to us
• Coming over to me and climbing into my lap (he's done this to Darnell for a long time, but not me)
• Sitting and paying close attention while we read a book
• Turning the pages of the book we're reading, (almost) always right to left
• Snuggling with me just to snuggle–resting his head on my shoulder
• Using a spoon and a fork to feed himself
• Eating from his own plate without throwing it to the ground
• Being a master of the sippy cup (with a straw) 
• Turning lights off (but never on)
• Deliberately imitating us (sticking out his tongue, copying when we do things with toys)
• Happily letting us put him into his high chair
• Swiping through pictures on our phones
• Recognizing himself in a mirror (walking back and forth and checking himself out when he has a funny hat)
• Teasing me into chasing him across the room, and squealing when I take the bait

Henley, I love you. What an awesome person you're becoming!