Since I Can't Freeze Time . . .

Last night as we put Macy to bed, we each gave her a kiss on the cheek and she returned the favor. This is a nightly ritual, but last night Macy's return kiss was an actual tight-lipped pucker. This is the first time her kiss was not a wide open, wet and slippery smacker. Luckily it was still accompanied by the enthusiastic "MMM-WUH!"

Of course, I love everything she learns and any progress she makes, but it did make me think of all the things she does right now that I don't want to forget.

So, Macy, here are some of the things you do that always make us smile:

1. When I hold or hug you, you pat me on the shoulder. You do the same for Dad.
2. Every time (and I mean every time) you see one of the cats throughout the day, you have to say and sign "cat" over and over.
3. When we hug you or you hug your dolls or animals, you say "nice, nice" in your sweetest tone.
4. From the time you were about 11 months old until you were 17 months or so, you had a little Beavis-and-Butthead-style laugh. That has now developed into a great fake laugh, complete with a full backward head toss. And your genuine laugh is musical.
5. You use your new phony laugh very liberally while talking on your toy cell phone (usually to Cousin Brady, whom you call "D").
6. You LOVE to jump and you'll sign and say "jump" as you hop again and again. You used to do this with a full-body upward heave but with the soles of your feet glued to the floor. Now you get enough air to clear two stacked dimes. See how you're already evolving?
7. Every time we get out of the car, you have to repeat "bye car, bye car" over and over.
8. You love to hold up your index finger, say "one, two, three, GO!," and then run as fast as you can. You have the bounciest run.
9. You LOVE the Bee Movie and you ask for it constantly by saying "sting, sting, sting" while poking your belly.

10. Whenever you hear certain songs (like the themes to Arrested Development, The Office, or Backyardigans), you drop whatever you're doing, smile big for a second, then dance like a maniac. When the song's over, you'll say "again, again" (or, more accurately, "geh, geh") then start the whole process over. If we're not quick enough, you go for the remote yourself.

11. When Dad gets home from work, you'll often grab everyone's fingers and pull us into the family room for a few rounds of "Ring Around the Rosies." You always stay upright until we've both collapsed and reminded you that you're supposed to fall too.

12. Whenever you drop something (usually on purpose), you put both hands on your head and say "oh no!"
13. You call yourself "C."
14. For this short time, we are still your favorite people and your eyes light up when you see us. We'll be so sad when this changes.
15. You are our favorite person, but we don't see that ever changing.