All of this movement is really challenging our parenting methods. Up until now, you often seemed content to just be in one spot, observing the world. But now that you can get to it, you want to be hands-on with the world. I don't remember exactly where we were but Daddy and I were doing something, and not paying particularly close attention to you. All of a sudden, we realized that you'd taken off solo. To make ourselves feel better, we explained to the observers that you're a new walker, that we're not used to this. But we're not. Maybe that means that we should have been paying more attention all along rather than relying on the fact that you're superb at entertaining yourself? You still are, coming to us when you want validation or get bored looking at whatever it is you're looking at or thinking about, but the difference is that now you can also change venues and go to see new things. It's going to be an interesting transition to make with you, this movement thing.
We've made other transitions lately too. The biggest is that now that I'm back in school, you have a nanny, regularly, for the first time. You've had spotty babysitting before, mostly with Grandma or Papa, when Daddy and I have found a need for stimulus that doesn't involve an infant. But this is something entirely different. This involves me leaving you, for hours on end. You're never thrilled when I leave, and often cry and hold your arms out for me. It makes me feel horrible, but I know from the several times that I've called after leaving that you transition well. A couple of them, you've even been laughing in the background. And so I tell myself that you're fine without me and know that feeling close to other people and having different learning experiences is probably very good for you. You always seem pleased when I return, though, and that makes me happy. Having your baby come toddling to the door with a giant grin and arms outstretched is an amazing feeling. You do it for Daddy, too; when you hear him at the door, you often exclaim, "Dada?" and then go to find him. You talk to him on the phone a lot, too, on his way home. In fact, I think that you think that he's always on the phone, even when he's not, because you'll pick up your play phone and try to talk to him there too.
I mentioned above that you're good at entertaining yourself, and you are. It's something that I haven't seen very many babies do, but you've done it since you were very small. And now that you're mobile, you actually take off by yourself into the house. Most of the time, that means into your bedroom. You'll get your toys off of your shelf and sit and build block towers or read or play with your animals. This can go on for a much longer time than I would ever expect and most of the time, I find myself coming in to check on you, to see what you are doing that is so fascinating. The great thing, though, is that much of it is contained within your own little head and so I'll never know what it is that you're doing. Well, at least not until you can tell me your own stories. Sometimes you go to other areas of the house, though, and that can be a good thing or a not so good thing. The picture above of you chowing on the nectarine came from a day when you discovered grocery bags in the entry way and went through them. I'm guessing that you were looking for anything interesting and you were clearly pleased with what you found. Sometimes you get into things that you aren't supposed to, like the toilet paper or the cat's food bowl, and so we're trying to find ways to make the house accessible to you but in ways that are appropriate, rather than just telling you no when you do something that you're not supposed to.
I have to wonder if years from now, you'll remember any of this. Your experiences seem so potent now, colored with imagination and feeling and love. There's a lot of love that goes around, lots of kissing and hugs. Sometimes, you'll cuddle in close and sometimes you'll make noises of disapproval. But I know from the frequency with which you seek us out, hold onto our legs and make insistent noises indicating that you want up, and hold onto my neck with tight arms and kisses that the love is mutual. Will you feel that? Are you storing it up somewhere? I hope so because the thing that I want you to remember, most of all, is that you are very much adored.
Love, Mama
