On the Move

Theo is 9 months old. When he was about 7 1/2 months, he started sitting differently, with his right leg tucked behind him.

It worried me a little, because I know that when kids sit in a W formation they can develop hip dysplasia. Yes, Neurotic Nanny strikes again. I corrected him a couple of times, but he kept doing it, so I thought it must mean something. Well don't you know, it did! It meant that he was getting ready for the next step. Crawling! Over the next few weeks, he started being able to get himself up from his tummy position. Weeks ago, If you put him on his back, he'd flip over on his belly and flail around. Then he started doing baby pushups, then he'd sit back on his legs. 

One day I noticed that he didn't flail anymore, he'd just sit up from being on his belly. What an accomplishment! Next, he'd take a few crawling steps, then sit. At first he didn't like to crawl long distances, and he wouldn't crawl over thresholds. 

Now, at 9 months, he's crawling all over the place, and giggling as he goes. His current feat is to crawl to something, grab onto it, and stand. This boy is super strong. He's been putting weight on his legs for months. With the combination of that and baby pushups, he can get himself to a standing position in a matter of seconds. He's not ready to stand up on his own yet, but when he feels secure on the couch, a box, or a pair of grownup knees, he beams. He's practicing cruising; just figuring out that he can let go with one hand, take a step with a foot, then move over. 

This stuff is endlessly fascinating to me. To see the development of a tiny person being able to do things by himself just by practicing, things that we grownups take for granted, is amazing. I feel so blessed to be able to witness his progression. Thank you, RockStar (mom), and SuperChill (dad), for letting me be a part of your family!

It Ain't Easy Bein' Green

I'm amazed at the growth of Mister. It was a big deal when he started getting teeth (he got his on the early side, maybe 3 or 4 months). We oohed and ahhed for weeks. Now that he has a nice little set at 9 months, it doesn't seem like such a huge thing.

 For me, a really big deal was when he started producing boogers. When he was really little, nothing came out of his nose. He just had a nose, no liquid, so snot, nothing. I missed his first cold--it was my day off or something. In retrospect, I'm so glad I missed it; I would have been freaking out.

Somewhere along the way I noticed that he had developed stuff in his nose. Just a little at first, but then enough so that I sometimes had to wipe it away. I was so proud the day that he was blowing air in and out of his mouth and nose, and there came a booger! A real one--stiff, and green. I squealed with delight and took it out. My boy was growing up! Some people may be grossed out by this, but I'm telling you, the human body is amazing. We get snot for a reason (goes and looks up reason)…"It helps filter out pollen, dust, and microorganisms…" (webmd.com). Our boy is prepared for the bigger world! And I'll be right there beside him. With a tissue.