Every so often, I just have to write a Journal entry…because life is more than my own eloquence. Sometimes life is what the munchkins are achieving!
1. As I’ve said before, Nicholas is not a hurried child. Sometimes I have to wonder if that’s because I take a much more live-and-let-live approach to parenting him. When Alex was a baby, he got a lot more time with me sitting on the floor, teaching him to discern shapes and colors. He got a lot more concentrated “a sheep says baa, a cow says moo” time. After all, five years ago I had only one kid, and I wasn’t freelancing.
2. But I don’t really worry about this… parenting Julianna has taught me that it’s going to happen sooner or later, and the fact that Nicholas does not have to battle his own genetics in order to learn takes away my sense of urgency. Shuts down the panic button on his behalf. After all, his big sister is still not talking. She’s barely imitating.
3. On to the list of milestones…in the last week, Nicholas has learned to get over the lip of the bed/staircase safely and slide down on his tummy. His newfound independence is liberating for all of us, but it does mean that I no longer can count on finding him on the same level of the house where I left him.
4. This also means we have gotten away with not “baby-proofing” our second house, aside from a couple of electric plug covers (questionable in value, since most of the plugs are uncovered). I know this is heresy to most parents and ALL the parenting advice, but I mean really, have you ever tried to deal with those stupid plug covers? You practically have to have a pliers to get them out of the wall, and how safe is that? Shock yourself instead of the kid! No, we believe in keeping the kids close and teaching them to stay out of the dangerous areas.
5. Onward and upward. The really exciting news this week is that Nicholas has begun to let go—and even take a step or two independently. (At fourteen months, it’s about time!) I always thought kids learned to stand, then walk…but Nicholas is a believer in package deals, apparently. 🙂
6. He’s also developing his individuality—his personality, as it were. I’m enjoying watching him finally begin to bond with Daddy—he is such a Mama’s boy…I thought Alex took the cake on that, but holy cow, Nicholas wins hands down!…and you all know how heart-stopping it is to see the man you love, loving his children. Nicholas is doing some rudimentary signing, and he’s beginning to have preferences. Random things, like…he won’t eat unless he’s sitting in a regular chair. (Hahaha, I despise the high chair. I won’t eat a bite unless you put me in a chair so I can REALLY make a mess! BWAHAHAHAHA!) Two nights ago, I discovered that I could make one silly face/sound and send him into uncontrolled belly giggles. Oh, you can just imagine what an idiot I am making of myself the last two days!
7. Speaking of individuality/personality…he asks to have his teeth brushed. ?????? I know—enjoy it while it lasts!
Have a great weekend!
Is it tacky to leave a comment on your own post? 🙂 I just discovered another reason not to worry @ Nicholas’s slower development and the time I don’t spend 1 on 1 with him…and that is his big brother, who is determined to see him walking if *he* has anything to say about it!
I say that you should comment whenever/wherever it works for your blog! And helpful older siblings are great, though I suspect that Alex may have ulterior motives in cultivating another playmate?
My parents never baby-proofed anything (so far as I can remember). Somehow I didn’t manage to get into trouble with outlets until I was 5 or so and old enough to know better… and stuck small scissors into the outlet to see what would happen. But obviously I am fine, and while I hope to be a bit more careful than my parents, you can never be careful enough unless you entirely destroy your children’s childhoods, no?
What a cutie-pie!
On the walking…my oldest walked at 8.5 months. But then #2 was 15 months, #3 was 18 months! Then my youngest was also 14 months even though he was standing independently at 11 months…he just enjoyed the convenience and ease of crawling I think!
Your Nicholas is such a cutie! Yay for walking!
You’re all so sweet. It warms a mommy’s heart to hear someone else say her child is cute! 🙂
Wait. He ASKED to have his teeth brushed? I already love this child, and have never met him! That’s hilarious! Congrats on his milestones!
He’s a doll. As the mom of 5 kids, three of whom were preemie…I say no worries. My youngest child decided she did NOT want to walk. Refused. At her 18 month check up I AGAIN spoke with her pediatrician. He told me that she was perfectly capable of walking. She just didn’t want to. I could stand her up in the middle of the floor and walk away. She would stand there, unsupported. She could take a step-IF SHE CHOSE TO DO SO. But to allay my fears, he sent her to a therapist. The day before her appointment, guess what? No she didn’t walk…she ran. Eye roll. she’s stubborn. It’s why we call her a Diva. She’s earned the title and wears it quite well. Enjoy your little guy.
Thank you. I am becoming more entrenched in my position of non-concern as time goes on. (The doc also thinks he’s not gaining enough weight. Eye roll, indeed.)
Em weighed 16.5 lbs at one year. At your little guy’s age, she was less than 18lbs (too lazy to go look it up). At 5.5 yrs she’s 36lbs. I’ve heard EVERYTHING there is to hear about her not gaining weight. I had a doctor tell me that he was going to call CPS on me because obviously I was starving her to death. I handed the dude my phone and said be my guest. eye roll. Some people are just meant to be slim. I *used* to be one of them …LOL