Pretty much the cutest thing

Earlier this week, Jess and I were showing Tyler how much daddy and mommy loved each other by kissing in front of him. You can read endlessly about how children watch mom and dad for cues about how to act around other people, and about how they will often pattern their relationships off of the relationships they see you having with your spouse. We said “mommy and daddy love each other, see?” and then made all smoochy-mouth while Jess was holding him. Even at his young age, he was properly mortified. Which is also probably fair, but hopefully the message buries itself in his subconscious somewhere.

Later that night, after his usual late-evening grumpitude, we were putting him to bed and I asked if daddy could have a kiss. Tyler grabbed my cheeks with slightly-stinging gusto and planted me one right on the lips. We both gave him an 'aww' for that one. Then mommy asked if she could have a kiss.

Tyler grabbed us both by the back of our heads and pushed our lips together.

Runners-up for this award include:

-Saying “No thank you” when he doesn't want something.

-Throwing him up in the air (yes, we have pictures. Yes, you need to see them.)

-Splashing in puddles.

-We had some friends over today, they brought their baby. When Tyler woke up from his nap, the baby had gone down for his. When we explained how we needed to be quiet (ish) for the sleeping baby, he put his finger up to his lips and said “shh”

-N