I am fresh out of babies.
Sam’s walking.
At sixteen months, he held out a little longer than his siblings, but not by much. He’s been taking a few steps here and there for a month or so now, but over the last few days he’s morphed into a two-legged, upright creature. He’s traded in his crawling for the more mature method of travel.
And boy, does he think he’s something! It’s unbelievable what walking has done for his disposition. This former baby is now Mr. Bigkid. He thinks he is SO COOL. He’s got the POWER. And, he is showing off his new skill to everyone in sight, announcing himself (loudly) as he does.
Not only is he walking, but he now has such confidence in himself that he is carrying things as he walks – small things (a sippy cup) and big things (a foot stool). He is also climbing – up the playground ladder, for instance. He can now get up to the tower and hang with the big kids. And, he can get himself down – via the slide.
I know none of this should come as any big surprise. After all, I have watched his three siblings do all of this before him. (And not all that long ago – the oldest is just 5, remember.) It isn’t like I didn’t know it was coming.
It’s just that, well, I didn’t expect it to come all at once. Maybe it’s better that way – like ripping off a band-aid (or, heaven forbid, getting your eyebrows waxed). I don’t know. It just seems weird to be babyless after 6 1/2 years of babies. We didn’t do things like most people. I’ve either had a baby in my belly or in my lap since August of 2001. I didn’t space them out so that one was out of diapers or in school before the next one came along.
And now, just like that, no more babies in the house.
So. Even though he’s my baby, Sam’s not a baby anymore. He has graduated to toddlerhood. It’s kind of sad. But really cool. Pretty soon he’ll be big enough to sit on everyone who’s been sitting on him. And, they’d better watch out – he’s got a LOT of paybacks to dole out.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Mina // Nov 5, 2007 at 8:47 am
Wow. I’m in the same position, although Baby Girl, who’s 8 months old, is on the verge of walking (yes, 8 months! ACK!). Scary when you’ve had babies so close together (I did 4 babies in 4 1/2 years) to think of being DONE with babyhood. But nice, as well.
Now to just work on potty training the 3 year old (boy) and the 2 year old (boy). That’s out next step to big kid-hood, but I HATE the process. Can’t I just hire someone to come do it for me?
)
2 Mina // Nov 5, 2007 at 8:48 am
Should read “that’s OUR next step”.
)
3 Susan // Nov 5, 2007 at 9:32 am
Mina,
Let me know how the potty training goes. Or, better yet if you find someone to hire to do it for you!!! I’ve been a complete failure so far. I’m thanking God that #3 doesn’t go to preschool any time soon so there’s no pressure. I’m letting him do it on his own. (At least I say that now… in another month when he’s STILL not pooping on the potty I may change my tune.)
Thanks for the comments and you have my utter respect for having kids even closer together than I do!!!
4 Melissa // Nov 5, 2007 at 12:26 pm
He’s a cool little dude! Yah….don’t get me started on the potty training thing. Bryson is acting somewhat interested and I was questioning this morning if I should encourage it. I’ve heard stories of kids being trained by 18 months or 2, even. Blows my mind! It scares me to even attempt it since the last one was such a nightmare!
5 Andrea // Nov 7, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Aw! How precious! He’s such a cutie!
(A random fly-by from BlogHer Ads. Thanks for the entertainment!)
6 devin // Nov 7, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Oh, I feel your pain! I totally spread mine apart so it wouldn’t all be over too fast. My sixth one is 6 mo old and I’m hanging on to every milestone. Great blog!
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