It's happened.

Colin is officially a toddler.

I've always heard that one day, your child will suddenly look and act completely different than his former baby self. And it's true.

One day the tantrums were just so.much.more.dramatic! And he learned to hit. Actually, smack. He smacks now. Mainly, he smacks me. He shoves Mark. It's awesome. We're trying to not say "No!" all the time so when he smacks (or pinches or punches), we grab his hand and say "Please use nice touches". After about the 500th time of saying that and getting no response, I'm on the verge of smacking myself.

Then there are the days he refuses to go inside without the four rocks he's been playing with. And he won't take a bath without them. And he won't go to bed without them.

The kid also loves a challenge. He will not stop doing something until he has conquered it. He stepped up and down the curb about a thousand times until he was satisfied with his ability to perform the task.

Even on his worst day, I always want to remember what he is like at this age. He is so, so, so much fun. He laughs hysterically at the smallest things. He knows how to make other people laugh. He gives the best hugs. He gives "smooches". He no longer wants to lay down for diaper changes - he thinks he is big enough to stand up.

Every day he does something that makes me stop and think "He really is a little boy now. He's not my teeny 5 pound baby any more".

The best parenting advice I've ever been given is this: Think of all stages as a season. It soon will pass but remember each season has a best and worst part.

As of late, that's become my mantra. I learn something new every day and I love it! I'm 17 months in to being the mom of a rough and tumble little boy and I wouldn't change a thing.