Judah, Judah!

Look at this sweetness.  I know you won't believe me when I tell you that this child is a pistol!

Most of the time when he has his tongue out, it's directed at me and is blowing out a portion of his dinner.

And then he'll smile sweetly so I won't be mad.

Or he'll snuggle up next to his brother so the cuteness will overwhelm me.

Or pose in a sleepy way so I blame it on, "He's just tired."

Right before he goes back to this.

"What??  My brothers do it. Why can't I?"

"I can do whatever my brothers do because I'm just as big as them.  See?"

Today alone he has eaten two crayons and a couple of markers, climbed on the middle of the kitchen table numerous times, dumped out half of a 32 oz. carton of chicken broth on the kitchen floor, and flooded the bathroom floor (after he chewed on a bar of soap).  All this was squeezed in between spending over half the morning at the YMCA and napping most of the afternoon.  That really isn't so bad compared to the day he jerked his diaper out from under himself and ended up with poop on his nose, eyebrows and forehead (not to mention all over his and my hands).  At any given moment, if not being carefully watched, he will snatch a knife from the dishwasher, a full drink from the table or pull open the hot oven door.  When this child reaches his second birthday, it won't be because he hasn't lived adventurously.  But if he does not learn very quickly that telling Mama "NO!!" is his riskiest behavior and extremely hazardous to his health, whether or not he'll make it to his second birthday might be in question. 

It truly is God's plan to make one year olds terribly cute. Sigh.....I think I need to go kiss his cheeks.  He's just so cute!