Sittin' Around

Elliot started crawling so quickly at 7 months (seriously, like a couple days of practice and then he was off! haven't seen him since!) that he never really took the time to master the art of sitting unassisted. Who has time to sit when you can CRAWL?! Places to go, things to do. Within the last few days, I've actually wondered if he COULD in fact sit without any help, because I'd never actually seen him do it.

Until today.

All of a sudden, he was like, oh cool, here's something else I can do while I'm down here if I don't feel like going anywhere but don't want to lay down. And he sat there on the carpet chewing on a [closed] marker for like 15 minutes. So, um, ok...guess that answers that!

Should I also mention that just a week or two after he started crawling, he discovered the art of pulling up (and letting go)(and falling over)?

"Sam I Am" Finds Her Legs!

Today she finally did it - Samantha walked across the living room! TWICE! As if she'd been doing it for months while we weren't looking. "What, Mom? This is nothing new." Just last Thursday, I'd seen her take two little steps - one with each foot - so she could grab on to something just beyond her reach. They were her first official non-FALLING steps - actual "I am choosing to propel myself forward" steps.

But today was incredible! A cute little boy named Levi came over with his Mama for a short visit, and he was racing around with her shopping cart, and guess what? She all of a sudden decided to follow after him! WITHOUT HOLDING ON TO ANYTHING. It was incredible. I think I literally shrieked for joy (sorry, Levi's Mama). Might be the first time someone shrieked louder than Sam, the ultimate shrieker.

8 days ago, when she officially turned 17 months and was not yet walking, I told her congratulations, she had done it. She had officially BEATEN Jacob in the race for "Who Can Take the Longest to Start Walking." He took his first steps at 16 months, and started really walking at 17 months. But if she takes off soon, I might call it a tie. GOOD JOB, SAM! (FYI, Lily started walking at 12 months.)

Tonight, she walked like 5 steps between me and our Small Group babysitter Casey maybe four or five times, Ryan catching the action on her last cruise across the carpet. So glad he got to see it, too! I am so stinkin' proud of my chubby, funny cutie pie - you'd think I haven't witnessed this twice before. Yes, all you skeptical new Mamas with just one kid: it is JUST AS EXCITING the 3rd time around.

Hope to catch it on video soon!

PS So I don't forget: Sam made her first attempt at crawling 8 months ago, and has really been crawling consistently/properly for the last 7 months (starting when she was 11 months old). She started cruising around 5 or 6 months ago (when she was 12 or 13 months old).

Sam's 1st "Crawl" Attempt

Today, it finally happened: Sam took an interest in crawling! She's been so happy just rolling around, I wondered if she'd EVER take the plunge forward. I was so happy to finally see her put some weight on her legs - or even just one leg, as you'll see.

What a big week for Sam - she learned how to use a bottle (hooray!!! now I can go on the women's retreat with church at the end of the month without worrying how Samantha will possibly drink without nursing), and as a result, a sippy cup immediately thereafter! You could see it on her face - it all suddenly made sense! She started guzzling and kicks her legs/waves her arms when she sees a bottle or cup coming her way now - regardless of what's in it.

This and the move to start crawling are two little miracles in her life this week. We are so, so, so thankful for our beautiful, sweet baby, and every accomplishment is such a joy - especially when they're this hard-earned.

So here's just a clip of the video I took of her inching forward. I love how Lily and Jacob were so happy to cheer her on!

Jake didn't crawl until 11 months, so as of tomorrow, Samantha has one month to beat him! =)

Jacob Learning to Walk - 1 Month Ago

At 16 months, Jacob took his first steps - 5 whole months after he started crawling (which then transitioned to speed crawling). Seems he had to first learn how to stand up unassisted, like in the video below, before convincing himself he should try to walk. He's a very cautious one, that Jacob.



(Notice how Lily has absolutely no concept of boundaries? Oh, Lily...)

Out for a Walk

I was pushing my baby, Lily was pushing hers.



My baby fell asleep and was carried into the living room to continue his nap, stroller and all.



My bigger baby is still in her crib, jabbering away. Maybe she'll go to sleep if I just add a few more toys... ;)

The Pitter-Patter of Little Feet

Within the last month, it seems our little baby has transitioned from crawler to walker! I'm still not exactly sure when it happened. It was a slow transition that was more noticeable to my mom, who sees her once a week, than to me, who sees her every waking hour. All of a sudden, she went from taking a few tentative, countable steps, to walking from one room to the other, to walking all around the house. She was not one of those, "One day, she just got up and started walking all around!" babies. She took her time practicing long after we knew she could do it.

She still can't really get up without holding onto something, but once she's up, she takes off! Her little right hand is raised high in the air for balance, and a big smile is on her face as she toddles along like a drunken sailor. When she decides to change direction, she pivots on one foot like a basketball player not wanting to double dribble. I was laughing so hard the other night at Ryan's impression of Lily walking, his hand up in the air, saying, "Um, excuse me. Over here. I have a question. Excuse me." And then pivoting like her.

I'm just happy to know she's well on her way to being firm on her feet before baby #2 comes along or before my belly gets too big, because there's no way I'll be carrying them both around! I don't know how parents of multiples do it...