Lots to be thankful for.

It's become increasingly evident over the last month or so that Liam has become a little sponge. I was saying to Tara earlier tonight it's just amazing that not long ago he was a tiny baby, entirely dependent (still is, but to a slightly lesser, but really significant degree, you know). He seems to pay attention to things - to objects in the house and to both verbal and physical communication, and is irrepressibly curious. He'll actually stop, listen, and crane his neck and head in one direction or another to get a better view of whatever he's checking out, or to get a better view from around Tara's or my legs. Every once in a while, we catch him doing something completely independent. For example, he'll climb up on the couch, grab a picture book that is sitting on the cushion, and enjoy the book all on his own. He'll also pick up a book and back himself into my lap if I'm sitting on the floor. I don't want to take for granted some of the small but really wonderful things he's learned to do and say:

• Call out loud for 'Da' or 'Dad' to ascertain his location or ask for attention
• Growl like a monster from Where the Wild Things Are
• March around the house waving a little flag
• Say goodbye with a wave (still working on blowing kisses)
• Use his legs to shake off his pants when we're getting him undressed for the tub or for bedtime
• Say an approximation of Thank you
• Pretend with props- tonight we were pretending to mix up and taste using a mixing bowl and spoon
• Is *much* more easygoing about diaper changes. He now only cries and tries to escape about 50% of the time. Probably close to 0% at daycare, too.
• Can pull himself up into his highchair, turn around, and sit down
• Say the number 2 and understand it comes in sequence after 1
• Kisses

We're so fortunate. . .

Here's a new video from a hike we took this weekend in the Park.