Our little man started walking a few months ago, after everyone had their own opinions and guesses about when he would take his first step. Even though he had started with 'furniture walking' about two months before that, taking those first few steps on his own was like man landing on the moon for him, and more so for us.
Everybody warned us about ..'wait till he starts walking, you'll be running after him'....they were talking from experience off course...and I'm still running!
There's no greater joy then to be there when your toddler takes his first steps. It's a whole new level of independence, with refusing to be held or have his hand held, and insist on running in the opposite direction in the mall. It's just cute watching those little legs march off as though on a mission and then turn right back to you. Discovering what his little legs can do now have become a whole new adventure, with going to the post box to pick up the newspaper for his grandad, and check for mail.
What makes it more 'daunting' for us is ensuring that anything at his eye level and within reach that may pose a danger is removed. Baby proofing can be a big job, though toddlers at this age can understand more than we assume they can, and just by explaining the dangers can sometimes be helpful for them to understand than telling them that they 'can't touch this' or 'can't go there'. It becomes meaningful to them. But,as always it's better to be safe than sorry!
This is probably the part where they start 'growing up' and don't want to be your little baby anymore because they can get there on their own without been carried. Watching these moments are such a thrill and makes the best memories to relate to when they're older. Every place in the house is a special adventure for them...from pots and containers in the kitchen to lotions and powders in the bedroom, and not forgetting the electronic devices that they can get their hands on.No matter how old he is, this little man will always be our little baby :)
