Sarah K.K. returns with this week's installment of Toddler Thursday:

There is something about this age (closing on 16 months) that just feels so momentous.

I mean, every stage of my son's life, even from the moment I learned I was finally pregnant, has felt this way to an extent. But there is just so much growth going on now, it's hard for me to get my grown-up mind around it.

Isaac just feels like a ball of potential -- who knows what his life will be like, or what the world will be like, but right now, everything feels so ... possible. Every day, he's saying a new word, grasping a new concept, doing something new that is funny, finding something new hysterical.

Even since last week's post, he's understanding and responding to "no" (and, of course, saying it more. Much more). A couple of days ago, one of his toys started playing the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" while we were reading a book, and he suddenly stood up from my lap and grabbed his head. I didn't even know he knew that yet!

A few days ago, he started calling me "Mama" on purpose (*swoon*) and running over and giving giant, heartfelt, laying-his-head-on-your-shoulder hugs. After Mr. Independent's stint of not being into cuddling, these new breakthroughs have been particularly gratifying.

I can barely begin to imagine how fast the synapses must be firing in his brain as he's making connections and learning so, so, so much every day. It's an amazing time, and I don't want to miss a second of it. Sometimes, I just want to wake him up in the middle of the night so we can hang out, but I resist the urge.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.