Henry at 1

This last month or so, Henry has really perfected walking. He still holds his arms up, elbows cocked, as if getting them out of the way, but at least not out in front of himself to protect or absorb. Getting ear tubes placed last week has changed him into a much more consistently happy version of himself. Gone are the eye and nose boogers that plagued him. He is imitating sounds that he hears and actions that he sees surprisingly accurately. I think I hear words from him sometimes, and catch him playing at something, but the thing he just said had been said by someone else in the room within a moment prior. He loves to chase his twin sister for a few moments at a time, then pause to do something, then chase her again. She behaves similarly, and neither seems to get frustrated when the other takes a break. The dogs still do this sometimes as well, and I imagine some small gesture or look that communicates this desire to play between them that goes unnoticed by those much taller. He signs words well, is very coordinated when climbing on playground equipment and brings books to his mother and I for reading, knowing which books he wants read specifically. He also screams to get his way, steals toys from his twin sister blatantly, as well as other children at school, and deliberately climbs onto things or runs away with things when we tell him not to or ask for something to be given back. I am in profound love with this little guy, even though he passes through these phenomena for the second time in my experience of my own children: it is just as fascinating to see the walking and talking in a second and third child, and to see it learned and acted by a different personality.