Nico: crawling

Let's make it official: Nico is crawling!

Last night, after watching him scoot around on the floor in a half-crawl, half-leg-bent crab walk, I decided that, yeah, he's crawling.  And then I said, "No, wait...it's not really happening...not yet." I turned my back on him, and I went about getting everyone ready for bed.  And then Bode Wm started yelling excitedly, "He's crawling! Nico is crawling!"  And so I thought, "Okay. I guess he is crawling." Hard to deny it when your 4 year old can clearly see what you see (but you are trying desperately not to see).

Nico was playing a little game in the dining room while we ate dinner. He'd throw a spoon and then crawl after it.  He did this forever. So I pulled out the video camera. By that time, he had tired of the game.  And, I don't want to post the video because Bode and Gianna are running in and out of the frame, in their undies! (It rained all day. Then it stopped for a 20 minute window right before dinner. So we went out and played in the puddles. They ditched their wet clothes when we came back inside.)

I did take some snaps after their baths.  I put my camera lens on the floor and let Nico continue his "throw and crawl" game while I snapped some shots.

Now I have to go crawl on all fours around this entire house, to see what Nico can see (and get at). My life just got a whole lot scarier/busier/crazier, now that I have a mobile baby!
Congratulations to Nico!
xo

Tuesday

Today Gianna had gymnastics. It was her last class, but the first class that Bode has ever been in attendance (because he is usually in school).  I was worried about Bode wanting to participate, and being jealous that Gianna got to do something that he didn't get to do.  I set him up on the bleachers with my iPhone, and Nico in his car seat nearby.  All went well until halfway through the class, when Bode caught my eye.  I smiled at him and waved.  He yelled, "Mommy!  I want to be with youuuuu, Mommy! I want to be with youuuuu and Giannnna!"  He sounded pathetic, abandoned. But I knew that he was okay. (And, he was not alone, as there was another little girl in the bleachers waiting for her sib to finish up her class.) I put my index finger up, as in "one more minute" and then turned my attention back to Gianna.  After that, I didn't hear anything from Bode. As we were leaving the gym, I thought, "That went well!"  And then.  Then we exited the building. Big crocodile tears from Master Bode Wm.  "I want to do gymnastics!" he whined "Please! I want to do it, too!"  He was so sad.  Big tears spilled down his little face. I suggested that we all get a treat instead.  

The thing is, I tried to get them both into gymnastics this morning. Today was sign up day for the next session.  It is very competitive and difficult to get into the program.  Sign up opened at 7 AM.  I woke up at 6, but remembered that RWF was going to sign them up for swimming (first).  So I fed Nico, and then went to the computer to sign up for gymnastics. It was 7:12 AM. Waitlist only!  Bah.  I'm so mad at myself.  

At least they are both in swimming, right?  Swimming is a life skill. This is more important. (I tell myself this so I won't feel as bad about gymnastics!)

And this one:

He is doing his own gymnastics these days. He gets around by scooting, flipping, and turning himself this way and that. And I shut my eyes to it. I tell myself that I don't see him moving around. I tell myself he is not thisclose to crawling.  I tell myself that I don't know how he got from one end of the room to the other.  

I just don't know.

Happy Tuesday.

xo

Nico: 8 months

Dear Nico,

Happy 8 months! 

You are such a happy little guy.  Your smile is frequent, and infectious. You make everyone happy with that beam!  You are discovering new things every day. It is so fun to watch you. You, in turn, love watching us. You learn so much from your sister and brother.  You are by far the most active baby we've had.  It is most likely due to the fact that you  have older siblings that take what they want and ignore you, and the fact that your parents are often too busy to respond quickly to your needs. In other words, you're on your own. (not really!)

You are thisclose to crawling. This evening, I set you down in the kitchen while I fixed some bottles.  I saw you move from a sitting position to all fours, and then saw you make two distinct forward movements (and I panicked, and thought, "I didn't see that."). Suddenly, I felt a tug on my pajama pants, and I looked down to see you smiling up at me. (I won't call it....yet. I don't want to call it....yet....not until you are very mobile.)  

Lately, you have been consistently napping once a day. This is because I've been diligent about being home by 10 AM in order to get you down for a nap.  You will sleep for about 2 hours, and then you are up for the rest of the day.  (Now that I've documented this nap, it will no longer happen.)

The other night, I put you in the bath (sink) and you were fascinated with the flow of water. You kept trying to grab it. When it rushed through your one hand, you would switch hands. And then you just stared, transfixed.  I loved watching this discovery. 

Your father went to Germany last week. When he returned and kissed you hello, you gave him the biggest smile. He said, "Hello, my little Gummi Bear!"  And I thought, "What a great name," because you have such a lovely, gummy grin (and because Gummi Bears are my fav!).

Happy 8 months, "Gummi Bear."

Love,

Mommy

xo

Gianna Crawls!

It was a very exciting Easter morning for us because Gianna crawled for the first time.  Bob and I were in the kitchen when I looked over and noticed that Gianna was making moves.  Bob grabbed his phone and got the following on camera.  Watch Gianna crawl.

The Second (?) in What Will Be A Half Dozen (or More) "She's (almost) Crawling!" posts

Today Bob and I watched Gianna do the pre-crawl ritualistic dance of deep bend, feet together, belly flop and then scuttle-push on the floor. She is getting thisclose to crawling. Evidenced as follows:

 




Wait. What does my shirt say?

Ready.

Okay!



Going for Daddy!



Maybe that piece of paper is a more attainable goal...

So close!

A little help, please!

Got it!

Netflix? Did Bode get a Disney movie?

Maybe next weekend, I'll be crawling!

HAPPY WEEKEND!
xo

Already There

Gianna is making moves like she is ready to crawl.  She leans forward and rocks on her bum and arms.  Then she usually falls forward onto  her face and cries.  I pick her up to sitting position and she starts all over again. 

What are you playing with there, Bode?

Forward motion...



Slow and steady wins the race...



Almost...there....

That car will soon be MINE ALL MINE!

Soon she'll be crawling full-time and this house will be a whole new world.  She'll navigate furniture, sleeping dogs, random shoes, pieces of Legos and cars discarded by her brother. She'll have so much fun discovering everything around her. And she'll be asking for the car keys before we know it.