Stepping in style

And now for a very special episode of Fashion Show, documenting a major milestone in Shuma's development. And he did it in style, wearing brand-new duds sent from his grandma for his birthday.

This was the first time for him to wear long sleeves and long pants since our trip to Canada, so as cool as he looked I was a little sad. I've always hated saying good-bye to summer, but this year was especially hard because most of those summery things we never get around to doing, or never do enough of, are really fun for babies too.

Let's get a closer look at the dinosaur. It's saying "RAAW-WWHHH!", as dinosaurs do. Shuma doesn't know that yet though, so when a playmate's Mom read his shirt to him he looked a little nervous. That's OK, he'll learn about dinosaurs and the sounds they make soon enough. He's going to have to, seeing as how he's going to be a paleontologist when he grows up.

So back to this milestone. We were at the jidoukan (public children's hall) after our weekly playgroup, and he started off by going through his usual repertoire: crawling, walking while pushing (is there an official baby milestone term for that?) and cruising (walking while holding on to stationary objects).

And then he just started walking! Just like that!

I'd actually seen him take a step the day before, but figured it was just a fluke. I assumed that since he was such a late crawler he'd be a late walker too. Actually "hoped" is a better word than "assumed", since people keep telling me how hard things get once babies start walking. Apparently now I'm never going to get to sit down for more than a minute's peace and quiet. Also the chubby thighs are going to melt away (his, I mean, but all the better if mine do too). I quite like my peace and quiet and really like his thigh rolls, so this all makes me a bit sad.

But also, proud. Because look at him! But sad. Because he's growing up way too fast. This all happened a week after his first birthday, and it still feels like he was just born. Hell, I still feel like I'm 23 most of the time. Slow down, life!

Please, just a little. You're making our heads spin!

Comments

[erica]

Oh my! Congrats on your new walker. How exciting. He looks thrilled.
From the mother of one new walker to another, it doesn't really get that much harder. In many ways it gets easier.
For example, playing at the park is suddenly way more fun!

[David]

Sitting up bright and alert. Shuma is so well behaved.

[Sonia Chong]

Silent lurker no more. This made me smile cause mine when from 1 to 11 and 16 at a blink of an eye and they are still fun and loving and yes, they STILL do come for hugs and the FIRST person they run to when they are hurt STILL!

[Carol-Anne Conway]

Look at those expressions! First the that moment of surprise, then the open mouthed "WOW! I'm really doing this" and finally the "did that really just happen, or did I imagine it"

Well done, Shuma, stepping out in style!

[Dr. Gabriella Kadar]

Your son is so beautiful. No wonder you are getting all sentimental about the eas(ier) pre-walking days. *my daughters are 27 and 29 years old*: Motherhood is all about 'letting go'. Maybe it sounds sad, maybe it's a relief, maybe it's also a moment of pride. Probably it's a bit of everything.

Cheers,

g

[Mari]

Go, Shuma!!! (Sorry, Mom... c'est la vie.)

[Debi Balmilero]

Amy,
one thing i learned when my son was about 9 months and started walking!! my mom explained that when all of those rolls melt off, he can wear some of those outfits again=they will still fit. so we saved quite a few outfits that he could wear again! and yes-it all happens way too fast. my son is now a week away from his 16th birhtday so we are at the 'driving milestone' - just you wait!
have fun

[Sandra Khoo]

Hi,am a big fan of your blog and have been following it for sometime. Just wanted to share this cute little animated vid and thought both you and Shuma might enjoy it.

Here's the link below :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpoN3SFkzCU&feature=related

Cheers and congratulations to Shuma's first step!

[joeinvegas]

Wow - walking - yes, your sitting days are over.

[lily]

What a cute kid :)