Rich, TJ and I went to Rich's brother's house for July 4th. We were all hanging out on the front lawn. Rich had just finished playing catch with our nephew Lucas, and I had just finished escorting TJ up and down the long driveway on his walker toy. Man, he loved that thing. He discovered a new thrill of going extra fast due to the driveway's slight incline. He was practically running to keep up with gravity and inertia.
I thought TJ was tuckered out. Ends up that he was just getting warmed up and the fast pace was just what he needed to make the mental/physical bridge to walking on his own. Dad brought TJ to the lawn and put a safe distance between him and our niece, Alyssa. Dad then stood TJ up, TJ caught his balance and then ventured off toward the smiling Alyssa. TJ ended up on his bottom for the first two attempts, but by the third attempt, he was successfully taking three steps without falling. Could it be? Is he getting the hang of it? Do we have a toddler in our midst?
Alyssa and Dad increased the distance between them and TJ showed signs of excitement. We continued. We changed partners. Gradually, TJ was taking at least eight steps and making it successfully from one pair of outstretched of arms to another. HE IS WALKING!
I tell you, there is nothing more amazing than watching your 12 month old son walk toward you with a big huge smile of victory on his face. Right then and there I was so proud of my little boy. I let the emotion take over. Yes, I did cry. TJ has found his own sense of independence on our nation's Independence Day. How ironic is that?
He still does appreciate the crutch of having someone or something near by to grab if he needs to, but TJ is discovering the thrill of finding his balance and using his feet to get from point A to point B. I can imagine that in the next two weeks he will prefer walking to crawling and a whole new world will open up to this little boy (and of course to all of those who have to run after him).
Great job, TJ.
No comments:
Post a Comment