Evan ‘Mr. Miyagi’ Inglis has adopted the ‘wax on, wax off’ method of highchair self-defense, deflecting offending spoonfuls and washcloths alike.

A subtle but telling change has recently occurred: the discovery of cause and effect. He doesn’t say no, exactly – but he has no problem expressing it.

On the brink of his first birthday, the learning curve is boarded and ready for liftoff. Today he figured out how to play his new slide whistle, and didn’t let go of it for three hours. He’s doing his best to give a ‘kiss’, which is comprised of launching himself headlong towards the object of affection, mouth wide open, and pressing tongue against cheek. Sounds random, but it’s not: he then pulls away, looks at me and smiles. He knows.

See? I kiss you. mmmMMWAAH!

The other day while dressing him Justin said, “What stinks?” and went sniffing in search. And wonders! Turns out it was Evan’s feet. They smell. Like stinky feet. All three of us tumbled into giggles. Why is this funny? Why unexpected? Yet another one of the great mysteries of life.