Lessons Learned

I think it's safe to declare that my baby is walking! It's so exciting. Granted, he's not about to take on a 5K or anything soon, but we've definitely witnessed multiple steps - unassisted.

He's been incredibly mobile from the get-go. Even without the toddling, he's busy racing around the apartment, with this little crab-like scuttle he's come up with. He is zippy and he is into everything. His current favorite ways to pass the time are to gaze out our front window and babble at the people out on the street (not unlike my driving technique, where I helpfully coach other people's skills out my window) grabbing at the cat's general personage (especially genitalia, which has warranted a nice little scratch on Vin's forehead) and sorting laundry and diapers. He loves to pull things out and scatter them at will, like our very own little Johnny Pamperseed.
Last week he'd started figuring out how to get from sitting to standing position without any assistance. Sitting... getting feet under him.... ever so slowly from squatting... he'd raaaaise himself and look at me expectantly. There was usually a lot of cheering and encouragement coming from that direction.

I knew we were there - where he finally got the concept of one foot in front of the other. So this weekend, Matt and I put him between us and stand him up and try to encourage the Walking. Eventually, he got it. Again, much cheering from both of us. The boy was delighted that he'd figured out how to get this reaction. Matt and I scooted further apart and continued coaching. We're up to about five steps in a row before losing balance. Even then, I suspect the balancing is more - diving towards MOMMY! I think he can go further. He'll get there.

Once we're a little more sure on his feet, I'll try to get some video. It's just amazing. He's eleven months old now! I feel like he's barely been a baby. I mean, he rolled over at 3+ months for the first time. He's a mover. He's kind of over me holding him for too extended a period. He'd rather go at his own pace. I guess that's part of my learning process in this, too. Gotta let go and watch him from the sidelines.

I know it's so trite, but it's so fast. It's just staggering to see how much he's learned to do in such a little amount of time. Babies are cool.

Just to think where we were this time last year. I was just a little bit stressed out. Thank God we lived through that.

For another first, I became determined to take the boy to a park. We live in a pretty green area - I figured there had to be a walkable park nearby. The closest one is about a mile and a half away. I idiotically thought - oh, that's not that far! It is. I mean, a mile and a half isn't that far, if you aren't toting a stroller full of tired and cranky while rocking some really old, really worn out sneaks. In that case, it's roughly 5.2 Kabillion blocks away. Still, yesterday afternoon, Matt and I made the trek.

We finally got there (my face beet red from the afternoon sun) I was heartened to see the idyllic little haven. It was like some kind of little kid oasis. This is all so new to me. Mothers everywhere, little ones swinging, shouting, running and squealing with delight. Aw, how cute! Can we go sit over there where there isn't anyone anywhere near us? Too many.... people.

Matt, instead, plunked him down in the middle of the sandbox and got the boy filthy. I just kept saying, "But there's so much.... dirt." The man who doesn't do the bathing or the laundry brushed me off. Pssh! It's fine.
Vince loved it. He does like getting dirty. Sigh. Boys.

So after a while, I convinced them to join me in a quiet area, where it was grassy enough that I thought we might be able to do a little more work on this walking thing. We didn't make a ton of progress, but had some more fun.

A little toe headed fellow toddled over to us. He was so serious, it was just adorable. He was just a little bit bigger than our guy, and I heard his mother call him "Vin! Come over here."

Another Vincent? Oh, that is TOO CUTE. And another Vincent that doesn't look like he's going to grow up and guest star on the Jersey Shore. That is AWESOME. Our Vin smiled at the inquisitive little fellow. I contemplated coming back here more often. Maybe I'd even make friends with some of the other moms here. Like a real play group. Like REAL stay at home parents. How cool would that be this summer? I could walk (drive) over here and the boys could play and do cute little toddler things. Pick dandelions and what not. Awww... that'd be so sweeeet.

Then my Vincent, reached up and tried to gouge Serious Vincent's eyes right out. I laughed nervously, caught his wrist and apologized to the other mother. "Oh, it's fine. He's got two older brothers." She was so nice!

Vince took another swipe and nearly pushed him down, grinning this maniacal Damien grin that the kid. That time the mother, trying not to scowl at me, collected her boy and took him back to the safety of his brothers.

Maybe we won't make a habit of visiting over there quite yet. Social skills might be our next lesson. I do emphasize our. Anyone have a Mommy Talk handbook or something? How often to you allow your child to attempt a maiming before a time out? Just curious.