Crap! We have to start making our bed.

The other day I took the Monkey to the library for the second time in his life (the first doesn't really count because he wasn't old enough to destroy anything). They have an area with tables and chairs that's very well suited for him. I have never seen chairs that small, and he was able to sit down with very little help.

Our routine became: sitting together at the table, getting up to get new toys, taking a lap around the table, and finally sitting back down. We did this several times before the most wonderful, awful thing happened: he stood up from his chair and pushed it back under the table before leaving!

First I was beaming. I texted everyone I know to brag about how my 14 month old son is not only a genius (duh), but he also has manners. (Because they just come out that way, right? Some babies are just born rude, bless their hearts. But not mine. Nope. He's courteous.) I was so proud and a little impressed (I may or may not know another person with a similar genetic makeup, who seems to forget to push a chair in from time to time.), until it hit me: He was merely imitating me. That's what all people his age do. They see a parent do something, and if their motor skills cooperate, they do the same thing.

On the way home I realized he's going to start imitating us more and more, which means we have to start leading by example. Guess we have to start going to church more often and eating right. Read more. Drink less. Volunteer more (O.K., fine. just volunteer at all...for anything other than setting the DVR). Cut back on using "adult" words (it's just unrealistic to eliminate a part of my language cold turkey; it has to be gradual). And after a 20+ year hiatus, I have to start making my bed (ugh!). Thank goodness I've got pushing my chair in down pat! Looks like my other habits need a makeover!

What old habits have you tried to break since your little one arrived?