Back the Truck Up

For the past few weeks, Ryan has been working very hard at getting more mobile when he’s on his tummy. He’s gotten very good at reaching for things, although he gets frustrated when a toy is just out of reach, and he hasn’t quite figured out how to scoot himself forward to reach it. But just last night he discovered a new trick: reverse!!

Yup, he’s mastered the skill of pushing himself backwards. He finally figured out that he needs to lift his big chubby belly off the ground and tuck his knees under a bit, but apparently either his arms are stronger than his legs or those poor clothed knees just don’t get enough traction, because he ends up pushing himself further away from his toys instead of closer. Which, understandably, provides even more frustration.

It’s a shame, because after just a few hours of practice he’s already got some pretty impressive speed going. He can scoot himself a few feet backwards in just a few seconds. I have no doubt that as soon as he figures out how to reverse the process, he’ll be off like a rocket, scooting all over the place. I think I’d better start baby-proofing his room right away, because with all that strength and a little more coordination, he’ll be into everything within a day or so.

I’m excited about this new step, and I can’t wait to watch him explore the world a bit more on his own. He already loves when I carry him around to look at different things, and I wonder what he’ll choose to check out when he’s able to choose for himself. Will he spend all his time chasing those toys that eluded him when he was less mobile? Will he want to explore the hidden places like the closet and under the dresser? Or will he be drawn, like a moth to a flame, to examine everything dangerous, like the electrical outlets and door hinges and all those other things that give mothers the heebie-jeebies.

But for now, I think I’ll just enjoy watching him back the truck up.