First Steps

Yep, that's right! Caden took his first steps today!

After two months (+) of watching Caden cruise and push not only his walker but anything else he's strong enough to move, I have come to the conclusion that this boy CAN walk, but he is to busy to put the time in to learn how. He has proved a few times that he can balance and stand for a few seconds when he lets go, but this is also something he manages to avoid practicing. I know Caden is capable of walking. He is so good at it when holding on to something.

The straw that broke the camels back for me today was his insane obsession with his stroller. We were out for most of the morning today and Caden cried and cried and cried unless I let him push his stroller. He didn't' want me, he didn't want to crawl, he wasn't hungry (but he was tired and had a fever, but that's another story)... the only way to keep him from crying was to let him push his stroller around... and if it hit a wall or an obstacle, he would melt down again (that part had more to do with being sick and sleepy).

So, after a doctor's appointment, medicine for his fever and a good nap my little man was ready to expend some more energy. I decided to stand him on the floor right in front of me and help him practice letting go and "forcing" him to stand. He impressed me with his balance and so I decided to push it to the next level and see if I could get him to take a step. He wouldn't.

A few hours later, Daddy came home and I wanted to show him the progress (and my method/strategy) on standing/walking. So, I plopped Caden down in front of me and showed John how he could stand. And then I went on to explain how the next step in my strategy will be trying to get him to take a step... and as I demonstrated how I would do it... CADEN TOOK HIS FIRST STEP! Only one tiny step, with one foot and he grabbed on to me! I was using his paci as a lure! The trick is standing him up close enough to the "lure" where he can't crawl, but far enough away from anything else he could grab on to for support!

I went to the kitchen after lots of claps, hugs, "Yay's!," and kisses to cook dinner. A few minutes later I hear John yell, "Amanda, quick! Come look, Caden's walking to me!"

I run in to look and sure enough. Caden was taking teeny-tiny baby steps toward his daddy (again, to get to his paci). He took probably three or four steps. I grabbed the camera to see if we could get a 're-enactment" and this is what I got.... (hang on to the very end...)



We are so proud of our biggie boy! I know this isn't "for real" walking yet, but it's still exciting! I think that holding on to things in order to walk is going to be a real crutch for him so we plan to continue practicing standing and walking every day now that he has proved he is capable. I think if we don't press the issue he will procrastinate walking for a long, long time. I'll keep you all posted our our progress!