Maddox usually goes to bed around 7:30, and he’s pretty good about it.  If you ask him if he’s ready for night night, he’ll walk down the hall to his room on his own, and get ready for story time.  Tonight, we were watching old Sesame Street videos on the couch and Maddox surprised us both.

“Night night!” He announced, then walked off to his bedroom.  Jon and I followed him, since when your baby says it’s bedtime, who are you to disagree?!

Lately, I’ve been more and more amazed at how frequently Maddox has an opinion and wants to have a say in what’s going on.  He understands a lot of what we’re saying (probably more than we realize, which should provide some interesting surprises later on) and wants to communicate back.

He asks for snacks when he’s hungry and to stay longer in his bath, and he’ll take off running down the hall to practice opening the bathroom door – a new achievement that is interesting to explain to guests.

He especially wants to use electronics.  He’s very good about giving Daddy his remote whenever Jon leaves it out, despite the fact that in this picture it looks like he’s just clocked Daddy over the head and made off with the goods.

It is wonderful and perspective-altering to have to adjust to the recognition of Maddox as a person in his own right, instead of a baby to be carried from pillar to post.  Maddox continues to be the best part of our lives, from his first “Dada!” in the morning to his new “Night night, Mama” just before bed.

While we were out at Costco, Maddox discovered a new friend.

Here is how this went:

Maddox: Deee!  (Translation: Look!  A bear!)

Dad: Would you like to hug him?

Maddox: Yes, please, you can just lift him into the cart.

Dad: Okay, here you go!  Just for the store, though, okay?

Maddox: Sure, Dad, we’ll just be store buddies.

Maddox: No, really, YOU’RE too cute, Mr. Bear.

Maddox: Mr. Bear, I love you.

Maddox: Hey Costco Ladies!  See my new friend?  We’re starting a posse.

Maddox: Mr. Bear, I sure will miss you.

Maddox: Whoa, how did this bear get in the car with me?

I so did not put him there, Dad, I thought he got off the cart in the cheese aisle.

Maddox: What, my new buddy is coming home with me!?  Yay!

You can share him, too, Dad =)