Little Bear turned 7 months old on Monday and took his first steps. Really — he did! He has always loved to stand on those chubby little legs, swaying back and forth, and pushing up with glee and giggles. On Monday he held my fingers in those tiny little hands, teetered back and forth for a minute, picked up his little feet, and moved them forward. Once, twice, three times! What a thrill.
Bear is really a wonderful baby, full of smiles and happiness, and oh so expressive! He growls when he’s concentrating on something, grunts as he reaches, and purrs when he’s happy. Oh, and when he’s impatient between the milk, chicken, and fruit “courses” that Grandma or Grammy(1) spoonfeeds him? He definitely lets us know! He wakes up every morning happy and content, playing in his crib, flipping over, and working to figure out the toy attached to the side. Or trying to untie it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it unattached and reassembled as something altogether different one morning.
Because he’s as curious as his brother, dexterous as one could expect (he can pick up little bits of puffed rice in his fingers, but he can’t aim them into his mouth himself yet), and I can see those little wheels in his brain starting to spin. I am so excited that he’s growing up so well and so happily. I am one proud mama — just like all of you mamas out there — and today, I just had to tell someone.
Because I love my Little Bear, and I am so loving being here with him as he begins his long journey of growing up.
(1) No, not me. My right arm is not very functional these days, and I’m in a lot of pain when I use it. So the repetitive motion of spoonfeeding a baby 7 ounces of formula, 1/2 jar of pureed chicken, and mashed-up fruit one baby spoonful at a time just isn’t something that I can do right now. I’ve struggled a lot to accept it. Now, I’ll admit it. No, it’s not something I’m happy about. But with the right pain management and a couple more chemo treatments, I’m hoping that we can reduce the pain and get back to Mommy feeding him. (I’m also encouraging him to pick up puffed rice and whole oat o’s, so that he can start feeding himself when he’s ready too. That will help.)
P.S. to Grammy and Granddad — today Bear started to cut his third tooth!
P.S. to everyone else — sorry for the self-indulgent baby brag today. I was just about to burst with pride! There’s also a new review up over at my review blog — click over to Review Planet if you’re interested in reviews of Imagitales personalized children’s books and the Cranium Superfort play materials. A review of Mr. Dad’s new parenting book, Fathering Your School-Aged Child, will be posted there on Friday.
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