Advances
Well, Liam is 13 months old now. He's not walking yet, but he decided he knew how to climb two days ago.
I say decided because before that he'd sort of lift his leg, not succeed and go on with his life. Then, two days ago, I looked down and suddenly, presto! there was Liam on top of our trunk. Where is our trunk? Oh, right in front of the desk where the computer lives. So, if you see some random plus signs, numbers, etc. in my correspondence, you know why.
It also means he can climb onto furniture. Which means, basically, that a "childproof house" is now a joke. Seriously, try lighting your home or reading a book without it being destroyed by a toddler who can climb.
Some of our friends, who have a 2 and 5 year old themselves, upon learning that Liam can now climb, just laughed and said, "good luck. welcome to the end of the world." This was my mother's favorite time?
On the other hand, he is talking up a storm. It is somehow so much fun to have him 'talk' to me, others, and himself. It seems like he laughs a lot more now, too.
He's also become rather conscious of me moving away from him. Even if I don't leave the room, if I walk away he'll get upset about it. Phew - that means lots of crying. I don't like the crying, but I am not going to give in to him and have that be our frame of reference. I do things like sing as I leave the room so that he knows I still exist and can follow me if he wishes. Otherwise, he can just cry until I come back.
Hmm, maybe I shouldn't end on that note?
I hear they've placed the headstone on my mother's gravesite. My dad said it looks really nice. I look forward to seeing it. With that and the dogwood at her feet that my father planted it should look really nice.
Comments
What can I say! You are learning child raising as you go. There is so much joy to having children. I know...look who I helped rear! Liam is a good boy. You are blessed by him and with him. Still, he's about to get into everything. Seems to me more than most survive this stage of development and curiosity. Mommy called this the "big helper" phase. I imagine Amina can tell you how long this stage lasts. Sharpen your sense of humor for your own sake.
Posted by: papa | May 16, 2008 7:57 PM
ugh. i finally figured out why Liam was clingy and I was beginning to lose my calm (other than Mark's midterms, blah, blah, blah, etc.): Liam is getting his first molar! Ouch!
Posted by: mara | May 16, 2008 9:26 PM
yep ... that'll do it! Our niece Madison (5 years old), discovered that she has a new molar that has just broken through. But it's such a different experience for a 5-year-old than a 13 month old! :)
Posted by: Crys | May 16, 2008 11:10 PM