The time has come

I've pretty much been dreading this day since Cole was born...but I guess it is another milestone that we should be proud of? I went across the "hall" to do laundry (we are directly across from the laundry facility here) and I shut the door behind me thinking Cole would do what he usually does, and just stand there yelling for mama. Instead it was quiet (which should have tipped me off), but then I heard this light hearted squealing from the courtyard neighboring the laundry room, so I stuck my head out the door to find Cole running around barefoot in the dirt. (Fine, he was also just wearing a diaper--so sue me). He was elated...freedom! So I picked him up, took him inside, grabbed my keys, and locked the doorknob, and shut the door behind me. I heard him jabbering, so I figured I was good to at least switch loads and then hurry back in. Not this kid--he saw me lock the door, and therefore knew how to unlock the door. In 4 seconds flat I heard the squealing again...and once again my mostly nude child was running around full of joy in the dirt. Next step: the dead bolt. He can't reach that one yet...so we have some time. In the meantime, we picked up some of these door knob thingymajiggers and have put them on all the door knobs in the house (he likes to peak in on us in the bathroom too).

Now that I think about it, it is pretty amazing to sit back and think about all the things that he has learned in the past year. He wasn't even walking on his first birthday--and next Friday he will be 2 and he's running around talking, laughing socializing, etc. Wow...I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. As long as it doesn't involve knives or jetting out into the street to say "hi" to all the cars, I think we'll be okay. (Knock on wood).