Category Archives: Accomplishments

Over the last week or so R has been trying reallly hard to crawl. She managed to start scootching along, mostly backwards. She did this sometimes on her belly, sometimes on her bottom. It was pretty impressive, but she quickly started getting frustrated with not being able to get exactly where she wanted.

Last week R made the leap from needing me to put her into a sitting position to sometimes being able to sit up. This week she began doing so consistently. At the same time she was learning to sit up and lie down she started desperately trying to move forward. Slowly she began figuring it out and the last two days she has been very close, especially when trying to reach my iPad or phone. Today she succeeded, and succeeded  more than once! It was quite wonderful.

This will definitely change  everything. The baby gate we have is not really suitable for the stairs so I’ll be struggling to get it in and out all the time. My dad has offered to make us a custom gate that is on hinges and will open more easily. I’m looking forward to that. In the meantime I’ll be extra cautious opening and closing the gate and keep an eye on her so she doesn’t try and climb up it.

R has been working hard at her tummy time practice. She’s very close to transitioning from sitting to lying on her belly. Today when she was almost there I adjusted her leg so she could finish the movement and there she was, on her tummy. I may do this a few more times to help her learn the move, but I think she may manage it on her own before I do that.

R is also getting close to crawling. She can consistently get up on her hands and knees and can wiggle both knees and lift a hand briefly. She can already scootch around on both belly and butt, so she has the idea about moving. I think it’s just a matter of days before the crawling starts.

She is also starting to stand with assistance. She can do it when we lift her up and give her our hands to hold, and she’s started pulling on objects in the living room trying to lift herself up. I think before I know it she’ll be cruising along the couch or piano bench.

I am part excited and part nervous for her transition to mobility. Of course, it’s very exciting to see her begin to get around. She can generally maneuver herself to toys on the ground now, and that’s very cool. The nervous bit comes from how things will change once she is mobile. I have a feeling I’ll be chasing her around a lot and she’ll begin to get into things. We have a bookshelf with Lurline’s collection of Wizard of Oz books for example. I’ve moved the dangerous tulip shaped lamps to other rooms, but there is still a standing lamp that I’m not sure where to put it. Perhaps it will go behind one of the recliners where she is less likely to get to it.

I know I’ll make do just fine and pretty soon mobility will be the new normal. I am definitely looking forward to it despite the adjustment period I’m sure I’ll go through. Well, R is awake so I think we’ll play some piano with her. She loves hitting the keys and hearing the sounds it makes.