Cutest Copycat

I read somewhere that children between the ages of 1 and 2 learn by copying things they see. In elementary school copycats were annoying, but when Eli does it he melts my heart. When he's trying to open a bottle he tugs on his onesie since he sees us using our shirts to try and get a grip on jars. When I put him to bed I hold him by his crib and sing a couple songs. Lately he insists on standing next to me in the dark while he sways and sings with me. He has even picked up a couple of stroller skills from his wise mother. He was ahead of me as we were leaving the tile store the other day and he employed my push-the-door-with-your-back-trick.
Brian and I always say, "This is the best stage." He loves to play, doesn't mind when we change the channel, feeds himself, is getting more independent, and yet he makes us feel important with his imitations. This is definitely the best stage.