he's growing

It doesn't matter how tight you squeeze them when you hug them. It doesn't matter how long you keep them in their onesies that are three months too small. They are still going to grow...and they have the nerve to do it right before your eyes.

I see a toddler in these pictures that I haven't seen before. He's got that twinkle in his eyes...besides a mouthful of cookies.


He's doing it himself. He's got opinions, likes, and dislikes. And I melt in his hands.


He has a sense of humor and knows what will make us smile...like this precious face he makes just before I press the shutter.


He's got arms that reach further up our highest tables. He's snuggling with us on the sofa, but this time he's climbed up there himself.


He's our resident one year old that's reminding us how yummy life is...that we don't need to worry how messy life gets when you're tasting and enjoying every morsel.


Oh, and here's the recipe to those delicious cookies he's smeared all over his face:

Cowboy Cookies In A Jar (or just skip the jar part like we did)
Ingredients

1 1/3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next layer.
Include a card with the following instructions: Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir in the entire contents of the jar. You may need to use your hands to finish mixing. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. Transfer from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.