I still need to post both some pictures and some video of Andrew running around this place, but for now I will give a little update on the past few days and the changes that all five of us (including the cats) have had to work with...
Andrew has really taken to toddling around while cackling up a storm. He is so proud of himself and how he can go from room to room or just side to side...
He has also taken to towing around several toys. From the "popper" which he starts by pushing back and forth while standing giggling at the loud popping that it makes, to the next stage of hoisting it around his back so that he can carry it with him (behind his back with his hand over his shoulder). It's quite funny to see actually. Once he gets to another area of the room he pulls it back around and uses it again.
Another new toddling trick that Andrew has come up with is to "chase" after Daddy. He gets all excited and starts coming at Daddy with both arms outstretched. Daddy then "runs" away and stomps his feet while a cackling Andrew follows with uncertain footsteps. This goes on until the end of the room or the end of the hall and then Andrew dives for Daddy and proceeds to get tackled and roll around with Andrew laughing all the way. After that settles down a bit it can happen again if he is still all "crazy" or we can go on to playing another little game. I am not sure who enjoys this one more, Andrew or Daddy (I think it is me!).
The cats have also gotten a new found love for Andrew with his toddling around the house. While Jaz has always liked being around Andrew and letting Andrew hug him (he literally will sit down next to Jaz and lay his head down on Jaz's side for approx 3-5 secs) before petting him. Although Andrew is still mastering the petting gently approach. Andrew still will "pat" a few times before he grabs a handful of hair and pulls, but for those first few "pats" Jaz seems to like it.
Now even Racquel is getting into allowing Andrew to "pet" her a little. I am not sure if she is just craving the attention, understands that he isn't going anywhere, or just is trying to hold her ground. But just recently she has decided that she would allow Andrew to pet her as well (until he gets rough and she scampers off).
Andrew has really learned in the past 5 days that walking is a much better way to see the world. On Tuesday we were able to get Andrew to walk by picking him up and standing him up straight. Then one of us would get approx 4-5 baby steps away from him and clap and encourage him to come walking to them. He would take 3-4 of those steps and then lunge the rest of the way.
Then around Thursday Andrew started to walk around the hallway and the rooms himself just by helping himself stand just like he did while cruising, and then he would walk approx 10-15 steps and then fall back onto his little bottom and then crawl the rest of the way to wherever he was headed. Usually he would get to the other side of the room, or half way and then get up and walk again until falling.
By Saturday, Andrew was walking from the living room coffee table across the room, out into the hallway and could follow Momma or Daddy all the way down the hall and into either the bathroom, bedroom, office, or his room. We made Andrew practice his "long range" walking by having him walk into his room for each of his diapers. He was always excited to walk all that way until he would realize that he was in his room and about to have his diaper changed! Then he would go "boneless chicken" on us and we would have to scoop him up off the floor and change his diaper. (He has grown to dislike changing diapers now as it cuts into his walking or play time)
With his mobility has also come more challenges. We used to be able to keep him in the living / dining room and he would be happy in there playing with us, the cats, and TUBS of toys, but now that he can toddle around he just wants to get out and explore!
So we have to close the new gate at the top of the stairs and let him toddle around the hall, kitchen, and other rooms (usually with the office door closed as that is impossible to baby proof!) all he wants. He really enjoys walking around and seeing things from his new vantage point. The kitties were getting a little warning as Andrew used to giggle as he would walk around the house, but today and yesterday he has learned that he will get further and get into more things if he doesn't giggle and alert Momma, Daddy, and the cats to his new coordinates! Stealthy baby on the loose!
It's been fun the last few days watching him play and explore the whole house. Pretty soon we will be dealing with lots of bumped heads, and some running in the next few weeks I imagine as well.
Time to get ready for dinner and what will surely be an interesting Super Bowl tonight! I don't know who to root for as they are both home town favorites!
Daddy
