He is taking more and more steps, but crawling is still his preferred method of travel. When you ask him to walk a long distance (across the room, for example), he stands and stares at you. He's smiling the whole time, so it's like a friendly standoff. And he'll think about walking, giving it careful consideration...
...and usually lower himself to the floor, ever so slowly
and speed crawl to you.
But when he does walk to you, it's pretty cool and very cute to watch. Intense concentration is required.
He's also waving and understanding requests for hugs.
And within the last week, he has learned to drink independently from a sippy cup,
began cutting his first two teeth (in the middle on the bottom), and today during lunch, actually pointed at what he wanted. In this case, Puffs, then Puffs again, and then his sippy cup.
"I'll take one order of small popcorn, please."
I don't know if I'm just not used to this new and more mature, grown up version of Will, or if I'm in complete denial over my baby growing up way too quickly. But for whatever reason, some of my actions don't seem to acknowledge the fact that he's no longer a pudgy little baby attached to my hip.
For instance, I forget sometimes that he can no longer stand under the kitchen table. He and I both remember when he bumps his head.
Or that his reach can extend way beyond where his little arms used to.
And in particular, I keep forgetting that "out of reach" isn't always where I think it is.
Yesterday afternoon, when I asked Jacob to put a magazine up high and away from Will, he placed it on the couch. I said, "Jacob, Will can reach that, honey. Let's put it up on the counter." Score one for Mommy.
Later on, that same afternoon, I left a bowl of Will's leftover lunch on the kitchen table. I slid it away from the edge, but apparently not enough.
Moments later, I heard an interesting, unidentified sound.
It didn't take long to determine the source. Once again, I had underestimated Will's height and the power of his reach.
He looked so darn pleased with himself, I didn't have the heart to take the bowl from him. So I grabbed my camera instead.
What a mess. I suppose this could count as another point in favor of immediately carrying dirty dishes to the sink. Perhaps one day I'll learn.
He wasn't interested in finishing his bananas and cereal while I was feeding him, but the cuisine appears to be much more delectable when it can be eaten off the floor and licked from one's own fingers.
So delicious, in fact, that the goodness just had to be shared with Hailey.
"Mom, you know you're going to have to clean this up, right? And change my clothes? I can't believe you're letting me do this."
All true, but there have been occasions he's come away this messy after a "proper" feeding session.
Besides, you're only little for so long, right? And as my 3 little (big) boys have proven, it sure doesn't last for very long. So we need to enjoy the heck out of it while we can, no matter how messy it can be.
