I see it happening right before my eyes. This tiny little baby that was once so helpless, and just happy to be held is off exploring his world, is forming opinions about what he likes and doesn’t, and finding his way! I wish I could say I embrace the chaos of the toddler years, but my Type A personality walks a fine line between completely enamored with this new, independent guy that is emerging and letting go of my anxiety around the sheer mess of it all as he explores EVERYTHING. But our little guy’s personality does make me smile constantly. A few quick takes about our littlest gentleman, Baby Jonathan Brooksie, as Harrison calls him.

-1- He’s my reader. The first thing he wants in the morning when he wakes up is a book to read. He walks around with a book at all times, and will shove it up to any adult that will sit and read to him, backing his little booty up to sit down in your lap.

-2- When you ask for a hug right now, he lays his head down on your shoulder. And there’s no better feeling in the world than your kid’s head on your shoulder, as though you’re the most important person in the world.

-3- Harrison can always make him laugh. In fact, listening to the two of them laugh at breakfast, egging each other on, is one of the best sounds in the world.

-4- He’s got a sweet spot for his puppy, Sawyer. Giving her pets and hugs each morning. She obliges, mostly. Until it becomes a fistful grab of fur.

-5- Everybody calls him “Baby J.” All of his family AND his daycare, and Harrison’s classmates. When we walk into Harrison’s classroom to pick him up at the end of the day, his classmates will yell, “HI BABY J!!!” Will he ever not be Baby J? I guess that remains to be seen.

-6- He has a certain fondness for the water table in the toilet. And it’s definitely my LEAST favorite “phase” thus far. 🤢

-7- Everyone comments how relaxed he is. And he really is. Happy to go along for the ride and do whatever. But, oh man, is he my dramatic child when it comes to food. You’d think he went hungry before, because he will throw his body around and wail until food is presented on his tray to his satisfaction.