The first signs my son is a real mover

The first few months of parenting are full of several challenges, but at least, it is incredibly easy to keep track of your baby. They will be in the last spot you put them, and most likely, in the exact same position you left them in. I’ve had a few challenges in trying to look after Everett while also finish up client work. At least, I know that when I turn around from the computer screen that Everett will still be exactly where I expect him to be. I don’t have to worry about unplanned games of “hide and seek.” But those days aren’t going to be around for much longer.

If Emily has to do something, but I’m busy writing, then she’ll usually leave Everett on his play mat where he’ll occupy himself with the dangling stuffed birds. He can usually amuse himself on his own for ten or fifteen minutes. There isn’t any fear of danger when he is unattended because I’ll be in the other room where I can hear him and I know that giggles and laughs are a good sign for a healthy baby. He is stationary, so there isn’t worry about him travelling off to undesirable parts of the bedroom. But the other day I heard Everett break into a symphony of cries, and assumed it was just his way of telling me that solitary play time was over. I found my son’s head on the play mat and the rest of his body sprawled on the carpet. I assumed that Emily didn’t just lay his head on the mat away from the toys, and I was especially confident she didn’t roll his shirt up his back before laying him down. Emily later confirmed my suspicions. Everett had his first moment of unassisted moving.

Tummy time usually consisted of Everett giggling at his toys and enjoying a different perspective of his bedroom. He essentially stayed in one place. Everett is slowly tiring of his imitation of a stone, and has decided he must begin to travel to new and exciting locations. Now, he doesn’t crawl, and he is probably still months away from that. He has started focusing on objects, and gets a determined look on his face as if he wants to get to it. During tummy time, he starts kicking out his feet and rocks his shoulders in a forward motion. He has been successful at moving forward and getting closer to his desired location. I realize his movement resembles a bloated snake and his speed is about ten times slower than drunken snail, but he does move.

I’m currently getting a great thrill at watching my son actually show signs of mobility. I enjoy seeing him try to get to a destination, and it is just as fun watching his flailing limbs take him to places he doesn’t expect. This also means that I need to start “baby proofing” the house, because I’m assuming his speed will start to pick up. I can’t continue to just assume my son will be right beside me when I turn around.

I am having a blast watching Everett develop and witnessing him enter into the first stages of real mobility. I also realize that as exciting as the prospect of a crawling and active baby can be, it is also a little scary. In a few months, I may be writing column about how I miss when my son moved less than a slug. For now, I’m ecstatic with my son’s next big stage of development, but I really should start searching for that baby gate.