Learning and growing (and possibly driving me crazy)

Since Gavin turned one, I haven't been as regular at recording his growth and development, but I have noticed a lot of things about him lately that I want to remember.

Some of his emerging skills:

• Helping himself to water via the freezer door dispenser
• Climbing on chairs and couches
• Throwing things in the toilet
• Crawling in the dishwasher
  
• Navigating down stairs quickly and easily
• Following simple directions (notable exception: "stop doing that")
  
• Getting his own diapers and wipes when he's stinky (and putting them away later)
  
• Signing a few words (eat, more, cereal, cracker, all done, milk, baby)
• Identifying body parts on himself and others
• Playing peek-a-boo
• Making church an attend-at-risk-of-peril endeavor
• Folding his arms and attempting to close his eyes during prayers (see picture)
  

Interesting personality traits:

• Being more attached to Russell (the stuffed bear) than ever
• Adoring brothers and Daddy, especially after an absence
  
• Hating to see Mommy sitting in the office chair
• Bullying children twice his age and/or size
• Stealing food from people and the pantry
  
• Being obsessed with big-people shoes; wearing them on his arms or feet
  
• Refusing to wear his own shoes
• Taking off his socks no matter the temperature
• Having unexplained and uncontrollable tantrums
• Loving to play with laundry baskets, belts, and remote controls
  

Physical changes since November:

• Completely outgrowing size 12-months clothing; now wearing 18-24 mos.
• Wearing size six shoes
• Cutting four molars in the last month
• Weighing more than 28 pounds
  
• Losing the ability to sleep through the night and nap well or regularly
  

I have a cute video of Gavin doing some of the signs he knows, with encouragement from the whole family. Unfortunately, it won't upload at the moment. Maybe later!