Bumps and bruises: with walking comes falling!

Henry's been walking for about six weeks now and is getting better at it every day. It's amazed me how quickly he's gone from one or two tumbling steps to a scamper across the room. He's not running yet, but is getting close to that.

Of course, with walking comes falling. Over the past few weeks, Henry has had more falls, bumps, and bruises than in his entire life. He is definitely more steady on his feet than when he started, but he does not have the coordination to watch where he steps. He is looking up, not down, and trips easily over his toys and even furniture. And, from time to time he still just loses his balance or footing and comes toppling down. He's a tough boy and usually gets right back up. A number of his boo-boos showed up as a surprise to me because he never cried or complained after a tumble, even if he earned a bruise to show for it. There have been a time or two, though, where he falls hard, and needs us to kiss away the boo-boo. One even resulted in a big nasty black eye!

Henry with Uncle Mike - check out that shiner!

In the spirit of making every opportunity a learning experience, I'm working on teaching Henry a new word: "ouch." I am using these falls and resulting boo-boos to help him learn what it means when something hurts. I think it's an important concept because it can help me to communicate to him better if he's about to do something that will result in injury - to himself or others. If he's pulling a playmate's hair, I can say, "no, Henry, that's ouchy." If he's about to climb up on something unsteady, or touch something hot, I can warn him with a "Henry - no! Ouch!"

For a young toddler, a simple word-concept is a lot easier to teach and use than a more complicated one. It is also easier at this age to have an universal warning I can use in any potentially dangerous situation rather than attempting to show a 13-month old every possible place in the home they could get hurt. Chances are, they still won't understand even if you try. Once Henry understands "ouch" he'll be able to apply that idea to any situation - ones we're prepared for, and those we're not.

Milestone: First Steps

Milestone Alert! On Monday, Henry took his first steps. It was right after lunchtime, and I was on the floor with him playing with toys. I helped him stand up and as soon as he was on his feet he took about three or four steps toward me. I don't even think he realized he was doing it.

We've known he was close. The day before, Daddy watched him take one step. He's been walking all over the place with his push-walker and while holding our hands. Over the past week or two he's been increasing the length of time he could stand after letting go of whatever was supporting him. It's been coming, but I still think it surprised us when he actually did it. I called Daddy immediately to tell him, and when he got home he got to watch Henry take a few steps as well. That evening we practiced some more, and again yesterday. Last night he walked several times back and forth between Daddy and me. He seems to enjoy it - or at least the praise and cheering we give him when he does it. I'm such a proud mama!!

It's just one more reminder that my baby isn't really a baby anymore at all. His first birthday is just three days away. *tear*

Eleven Months!

No. No way. It can't be true. My Little Man simply cannot be eleven months old - a mere 4 weeks from the end of his first year. He is literally growing right before my eyes, making it a risk to even blink so as not to miss a single moment.

Yes, yes... I am among the ranks of the world's worst bloggers. I haven't been faithful to our followers in reporting the "daily blessings" Henry brings to us. He is mobile and into everything. He's fine-tuned his crawl for speed and agility, able to zoom across a room in the time it takes me to turn around. In fact, I can bet that if I turn around, I'll have to look for him - because he won't be where I left him. He is also working on two-legged mobility. He loves to hold on to our hands and walk, and can do so for considerable distances. His balance is still off, but he sure wants to be on the move just like the rest of us - on our feet. He loves to cruise around the furniture, and is just starting to experiment with letting go. He only stands a moment or two hands-free, but I know where this is headed, and I'm afraid it'll be here only too soon. I predict he'll be walking, or just nearly walking, by his first birthday. (Okay now, Henry - get busy proving Mama wrong!)

Here are his eleven month pictures. I love to take a "scroll" down memory lane by looking at the progression of the past year on the sidebar of this blog. Be sure you do too!

Where, oh where has my baby boy gone? Clearly, he's not a baby anymore. *tear*