Reflections on Paul’s mobility
(If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, click here.)
Paul has been creeping since he was six months old but lately he’s really slithering across the floors like a snake who has caught sight of his prey – focused, determined, and fast. He hasn’t quite figured out the “crawling on all fours” style yet but what he has discovered is the “rocking on all fours” style. Somehow, he’s also picked up on shaking his head side to side. I don’t think he associates it with NO but I really don’t know what prompts him to do so. It’s very random when he shakes his head.
I think Paul is a little too eager to conquer the world. I mentioned earlier that he stood up against the railing of his crib one morning, all on his own. Everyday now, he’s standing up on his own and holding on to boxes, furniture, the outside of his exersaucer, crib, and pack-and-play, and stay standing there playing, moving from side to side, and grabbing things to put in his mouth. He even got so daring as to move from one thing to the other. It’s fascinating to see how he developed his confidence in his ability to move his feet without letting one foot stay in the way of the other’s movement while at the same time balancing his upper body with his hands and fingers. He still curls his toes sometimes while he’s standing – not sure why. He used to fall flat on his head or face once he figured out how to stand but in a matter of days (not to mention a lot of falling episodes), he discovered that he can use his hands and/or his butt to get down. When he falls, I tell him that falling is as much an imporant part of growing up as learning how to stand. He looks at me confused, gives me a smile, and then moves on. It doesn’t matter that he knows what I’m saying, at least I get a smile!
I told Steve the other day when Paul went on a day of wanting to do nothing but stand and move around (and fall) that my baby boy made me so nervous. Each time he fell, I felt this rush of heat to my head and this instant body motion to catch him before he hit the ground. I watched Steve play with him that evening and he just let him fall at times. I didn’t think I had it in me to just let him fall – you know, all the stuff about head injuries makes me so worried. But Steve encouraged me to sometimes let him fall…he said that Paul needs to learn how to balance himself. He’s right. Thankfully, our play area is carpeted – that makes me breath a little easier.
To top this off, Paul is also now walking, not all by himself yet. As long as he has something to lean on to, he walks like a big boy. We inherited a sit-to-stand walker that Paul uses to walk around the house (shout out to Ms. Karla Z. of Chicago – thanks for the walker!). He loves that thing. He dances with its music when he’s stopped for a rest and walks with it all over the house. He still needs supervision, of course, and I enjoy every walk with him. My back, though, not so much. If my back could talk, he’s be writing right now, “What do you mean enjoy…you nuts! I’m all bent and hurting here, you hear?”
Anyways…that’s my boy, growing and moving along. It sometimes feels like it’s all too fast and the reality is that it is. There’s no stopping him now. And I am glad, along with his Daddy, that we are a part of his discovery. If only he could do a little better with sleeping through the night. I sure could use a night of uninterrupted sleep. Ah…but I know that day will come. 
By the way, if you sense a lot of momma pride oozing from my words, it’s ’cause I am a proud momma of my little Paul boy…and I won’t apologize for that. But more importantly, really, I love him so so much more than I can ever put into words.
