Look who decided to get up and start walking this week. We are so proud of our guy and the progress he makes daily.
I would have loved to post a video of his actual first steps but those happened Wednesday after I forced him to walk. Well kind of. I stood him about one inch in front of me and sweet talked him into my arms and then covered him in kisses. I guess he was into it because the next try he took two steps and by the end of the day he was taking 5-6 steps and by last night, well, he was walking across the room. I guess he was a better walker than even he thought. But I am finding out he is absolutely not the type to just go for it and take rough falls that come with learning something new. Cautious this one. He waited to walk until he was ready and even now he doesn't fall, he simply opts to squat to a seated position prior to the major wipe out. I wonder how long this cautious approach to life will last? Into his teen years maybe? And then some? I really wouldn't have a problem with skipping a few of those broken bones, stitches and emergency room visits I've learned come with the boy territory. So there you have it. All of our kids can walk. Check it off the list. On to the next milestone.
It is really no small feat getting three kids out the door in the morning, on time especially. Nyah to school and the youngest two and I to the gym. No, I am not on some major New Year's resolution kick off, I have been a regular member of the gym pre resolution season. Promise.
Since Nyah has returned to school and the morning routine is back in action, we have had a few bumps in our quest to get back in the groove.
And I am sure you know what I am about to write. I think it is a complaint of mothers and fathers generations old, but I am just coming head to head with the problem.
Socks.
I am really not into letting things get the best of me, especially inanimate objects, but oh how I loathe socks.
It's the same old story, I wash two, at least I think I wash a matching pair, yet only one makes it out of the dryer and the pile of orphans builds. Then morning comes and no one can find a matching pair, someone cries, I get frustrated as my arm begins to burn from carrying my big boy around as I frantically search for the lost match, seconds away from being late.
And the lost sock always lies the most inconspicuous of places, especially since Elsa can only take about ten minutes in the car before she takes both shoes and socks off and tosses them. This from the girl who didn't wear shoes, much less socks, until she was a confident walker. She can't be tamed.
I guess we are just not a sock, nor shoe family. Next to our door we have a basket where we dump our shoes the moment we walk in the door. Probably an old island habit, but a necessary one I feel, especially when little ones frequently occupy the floor. Shoes are dirty, its a fact.
And though it is so tempting to think back on a time when we didn't own socks and flip flops ("fliddy flops" as Nyah calls them) and sandals protected our feet, I can't let myself go there. Because socks are here to stay.
So my vow today is to, one, stock pile mass quantities of socks in my kids' drawers so a matching pair is always just a reach away. Second, I will put a sock basket next to our shoe basket so each and every sock has a home as soon as they leave a little foot. And finally, I promise to not let the socks get the best of me, allow me to become frustrated ever again, or be the source of my child's tears.
Because socks are too tiny an object to evoke such big emotions.
By the way, if you didn't already click on the link above, click here to watch some of Elsa's first steps. You won't be sorry.
Where will they go, who will they be, what challenges lie in their pathes. What does life have in store for these two beautiful girls?
Whatever their journeys bring, I hope they remain as devoted, close and patient with each other as they show to be at times, times like these.
Little sister trying to walk in big sisters shoes.
Big sister helping little put "The Converse" on, as she calls them, then trying to once again master the entire process of putting on shoes. The tie.
She tries and tries again. At home and at school, slowing our every departure with her multiple attempts. Practice, practice, obsessive practice.
And little sister waits patiently and my mind wonders, contemplating the questions above, my soul at ease in a calm and peaceful smile, enjoying the moment with my most beloved. I then focus in on the situation and notice this.
Hear the angels sing. Behold the accomplishment. She has done it. She tied the shoe. The first I've seen.
Way to go wonderful sister, way to help your sister out. Don't ever stop.
I can no longer hide my love and must share my affection for, wait for it... a shoe (of all things). Pedipeds, a soft soled shoe and our shoe of choice to cover the toes for our tiniest soul learning to walk this Earth. I am a firm believer that barefoot is best, especially when learning to put foot to Earth, but if the foot must be covered I am convinced this is the next best thing.
We once tried a different soft soled shoe but one orphan remains on the ground in some airport, never completing the journey home. None stay on the squirmy little piggies quite like these. Strong and durable, Elsa has just outgrown her first pair, handed down from her big sister and another pair given to us by a dear friend. Her great grandmother has given her another pair which she is putting the miles in, getting them nice and broken in. I enjoy looking at her old pair of Pedipeds and think of all she has accomplished in them, first steps, traveling, climbing, exploring, running, chasing, discovering.
Though Elsa has left her mark, her foot print repeatedly press into soles of these old pairs, they are still going strong, just sitting here, waiting to be given to the next little mamma to strut her stuff in. Will they grace the feet of a new sister? Time will tell, nonetheless, these shoes no doubt have many more years of life in their souls.
Most important of all, Elsa loves these shoes, the first of I am sure many which will accompany her in life. She is proud of her shoes, and definitely knows they are hers.
We got a puppy! Kidding, we probably won't enjoy the company of a dog again for a long, long, long time but Elsa is doing the trick for now.
As I mentioned before, Elsa is beyond independent since she has mastered walking, roaming all day with her feet out doing a Frankenstein like strut. I don't what she does all day but whatever it is is some serious business and she cannot be bothered to be held or snuggled. She does still nurse but is off on a new adventure immediately after her belly is full.
With her new freedom she has also discovered the goodness of food. She kinda passed on the whole smashed food stage and is now in full big people food mode. Except she doesn't sit and eat. She roams, comes in for a bite then roams some more.
This is Elsa's new position in the house, begging at anyones feet who might have food. Eyes wide waiting for a bite, just a little nibble, like a puppy.
If Nyah has a snack in the living room I make her sit in this chair where Elsa can't reach her because Elsa will attack for food. I am sure I only have a few more weeks of this strategy because knowing Elsa, she will learn to climb the chair soon.
We were eating dinner last night, at the table, like a normal family except the fourth member of our family was not at the table with us, she was under the table, waiting for her bite, like a puppy, happy as can be. She would get a bite and go do her thing, pace around the room or whatever and come back for more. I know I should make her sit in her high chair and eat but she has a long life ahead of her to be proper plus she eats so much more when she's allowed to eat and run.
Such different personalities these girls have, thank goodness Nyah still likes to snuggle with her momma. Never in a million years did I ever think Nyah might be the calm one. Shudder, we're in serious trouble.
Elsa discovered her confidence yesterday at about nine o'clock in the morning and started walking. She had that look in her eye and she could not be stopped. She was walking only with encouragement prior to yesterday. I am not sure what happened during the night that made her wake and think she could conquer the world, but she was ready.
Elsa struck out on her own at the laundry mat of all places. It seemed the risk of falling wasn't a big deal to her anymore and totally worth the hassle of getting back up. I saw her improve during the long short time it took to clean the clothes and she hasn't stopped exploring since.
I remember Nyah found her confidence in walking at a book store in Indiana. A little boy was toddling around and it seemed in her mind that she decided if he could do well so could she and off she went. I guess everyone has moments like this in their life.
This sweet precious little walking girl kept me up all night last night. Its amazing the effort the body has to put forth just to push teeth out. It was obvious she was in a lot of pain and nothing would due. She struggled all night and I was certain that we would have to make a trip to the doctor this morning to have her ears checked. I quickly changed my mind after she woke up this morning, of course when I finally got into a deep sleep, with a hug smile on her face, shrieking with joy, ready to welcome the day, acting like nothing we went through the night before even happened. How could she.
Elsa is deep into her sweet air conditioned slumber right now, no doubt dreaming of small pieces of paper to put in her mouth, while I sit here with burning eyes feeling the horrible effect of fatigue mixed with caffeine hoping some of what I'm writing makes sense. I should be napping too. My old napping skills are lacking, my mind won't settle down enough to let me sleep. My fingers are crossed though that all of Elsa's walking conquests today have made her tired enough to sleep tonight and that her teeth settle the heck down so we can rest. For George's sake, please.
Here is a little eye candy for my family. Please ignore the frightening way I look. We were taking it easy that day, I in my comfy clothes, never predicting my child would decide to walk before I had a chance to get cleaned up. How dare she. I decided to take one for the team in order to share this monumental day in Elsa's life.
Elsa will be ten months on Saturday.
At ten months Elsa is such an independent girl, playing alone or with her sister all day, only coming and standing at my feet with a pitiful whimper meaning she is hungry or tired. She still love to nurse and sleep, though she wakes up occasionally in the night. When she is tired she cries and the only remedy is to lay her down with her blanket, which she normally covers her face with as she is falling asleep.
She wants nothing to do with baby food, opting instead for the real stuff. Rice and beans is quickly becoming one of her favorites.
Elsa has perfected fit throwing in the past couple of days, expressing her now found voice most often when Nyah takes something from her or when getting her diaper changed. I am suprised at how early she learned this but I guess it is a survival skill when growing up with an older sibling. Elsa is so feisty and full of smiles. We love you beyond words littlest one.
Where will they take him? 
What will he do? 
Where will he go? Who will he become? 
