The Meatball (who just this weekend was given the nickname Tank by friends and already my mother has joined in the name) is this close to crawling. At least, he’s as close as he was this time last week, maybe even the week before that.
And, trust me, I’m not rushing it.
However, he has recently decided that he loves standing. Standing is wonderful, with help, of course. Then his legs feel the weight of his hefty frame and they buckle causing the entire Meatball weight to list sideways like the Titantic and extra strong Mommy arms attempt to stop the Meatball from slamming his face into the hardwood floor.
But he needs to crawl first. This is my mother’s 2 cents. Yes, my mother who doesn’t really ever put her 2 cents in.
She is a superintendent now, has a PhD in something and before this spent most of her career as some type of behavior psychologist or something of the sort.
She finds it imperative that a baby must crawl before he/she walks. She even went as far to say that the kid must crawl in the alternating hands and knees fashion.
Apparently some study suggests that there is a correlation between babies who never crawl (like my nephew C) and go directly from sitting to walking/running and developmental problems. i.e. if our kid doesn’t crawl, my mother is convinced that he’s destined for a learning disability (like my nephew C). sigh.
This kid better crawl before he gets too excited about this standing thing.
- – -
On the homefront, we are hoping to get the house ready to put on the market by October 1st.
That’s a week away.
This weekend should have been the beginning of what is going to be a major clean up effort (including getting rid of lots of shit that I seem to accumulate. Lois is an extreme minimalist compared to me. Remember “Lois has some stuff, Holly just has a ton of shit”)
How much shit did we shovel this weekend??
Zero. Zilch. Nada.
Instead of working on house stuff all weekend, I was working on work stuff.
We blew off church this morning (blaming it on Andrew’s cold) and still made it to an open house (which would be the most perfect house ever but won’t be on the market in a month) and even made it to a long lunch with my mother this afternoon.
All so I could keep working on this damn project that shouldn’t be this massive but for the shotty work of others that I will be held accountable for.
Anyway, the good news is that I billed 14.8 hours this weekend.
The bad news is that next weekend, we are going to have our work cut out for us.
KJ and the kids said,
September 24, 2007 at 4:03 am
He will crawl in no time. I’ve heard all of that. Pediatricians say that whole thing is a bunch of crap. J’s sister teaches piano, she said that when she was in school they told her that you need to make students CRAWL on the floor who didn’t crawl as babies in order to make them better piano players. SERIOUSLY !
Things (like your mother living with your) seem to work out when they are supposed to. Your house will sell, you will find the house that was intended for you and your family and all will be one with the universe. I believe, do you ?
B said,
September 24, 2007 at 4:30 am
I hope you’re a little closer to having your work project completed. I hate having shit hang over my head..it actually makes me move slower if that makes any sense? I agree with the poster KJ, everything will work out when it’s supposed to work out..and not before.
Kyla said,
September 24, 2007 at 4:58 am
I would really like to burn all of those “books” that define when things should happen. My kids have defied all of the books and when I look at them I am so full of pride that I feel like I will burst. I had one walking at 9 months, the other at 16. I had one speaking in sentences just after a year, the other barely started after turning 2. I know people whose parents say they never crawled, and they are fine. I also know people who crawled and they are….well let’s just say they are NOT fine. LOL.
Moving is so stressful – putting a house up for sale, finding a house, packing, unpacking. I don’t envy you. I do wish we lived closer though cause we would be there with our big lesbian truck and we would help!
Stacey said,
September 24, 2007 at 11:36 am
I agree with others–that business about crawling before walking is BS. I don’t buy it. Riley is the same as Andrew–she’d rather walk than crawl. She just rotates around on her belly but wants to stand and jump or step. She is figuring out how to step while standing so that she can walk. Whatever she wants to do is fine with us. And babies have different methods of crawling. I think everything just depends on what the baby wants to learn to do. Every baby does things at his/her own speed.
Good luck with the house. I think it’s great that everything seems to be working out for you guys. Hopefully this is a perfect solution to your problems!
rachelle said,
September 24, 2007 at 12:16 pm
blah. actually they took crawling off the denver developmental list because some babies just don’t do it in the age of “back to sleep”. although tummy time is important, as they do learn quite a bit (i don’t know what so don’t ask me) while on their tummies. so they say don’t encourage walking over crawling, but if they never crawl, so be it.
holly said,
September 24, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Thanks Ladies!
And Kyla – I think we would really appreciate your big lesbian truck.
The next 7 days we are going to do some major clean up. What the hell are we going to do with all the crap???
Angele said,
September 24, 2007 at 1:58 pm
FYI – According to the Journal of Pediatrics “crawling” is no longer considered a milestone because too many babies have/do skip this step without any ill effects.
“scooting” also uses the same brain paths as crawling yet people forget to discuss that.
“At about six to eight months most babies will learn to balance on their hands and knees. Babies work out how to move forwards and backwards from this position by pushing off with the knees. However some children never crawl because they get comfortable with some other method of locomotion. Instead they bottom shuffle, slither on their tummies or go straight to walking. It does not matter how your baby gets around, it is getting mobile that is important. ”
Good Luck with all that work that needs to be done. You can do it!!!!
Md&b said,
September 24, 2007 at 2:57 pm
just catching up from being “off line” for a few days….sounds like i missed alot. I too agree that the milestones, including the crawling, are overrated and you shouldn’t worry too much. I do think that letting kids grow and learn at their own pace is best. Good luck on the moving…M and I are still looking for that perfect house…..best of luck to you guys!!!
Sara said,
September 24, 2007 at 3:14 pm
My mom doesn’t have a PhD, but she is a teacher w/ lots of childhood psych. She seems to believe that the problem was that so many people were using those exersaucers (or whatever), that encouraged walking and skipping crawling. The crux was that natural behavioral progression was stalled by parents eager to press walking. So, I guess, don’t do that.
It sounds like you still have a lot going on – you have so many stressors in your life! Good luck getting it all done, and good job on all of the billings!!
Shannon said,
September 24, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I’ve read that it’s not a big deal at all if a baby doesn’t crawl before they walk. Both Kim and her brother skipped crawling and they both turned out fine!
Dee said,
September 24, 2007 at 4:49 pm
We are so much alike. You = me, Lois = Shelly. I have A TON of shit as well! Why? I buy useless shit all of the time!!! Shelly, needs bare minimum to get by. What?! I like to have a cluttered house! Ok, not really, but I like to spend money on shit. Ok, not really. Hell, I think I need some help myself.
Wish we lived closer. We could through the Meatball and the Bunny in a kid corral and we could help you tackle your chores while enjoying an ice cold beer, and maybe a little sunday football.
amy said,
September 24, 2007 at 6:18 pm
if you love the house, put an offer on it and make it contingent on selling your condo, it’s a long shot but worth seeing if the sellers are willing. i know the market is tight most everywhere right now, it may be something they’d consider?
Keri said,
September 24, 2007 at 7:06 pm
It’s definitely another world when they’re mobile but so fun and exciting!
As for getting things ready to sell…again, I wish I could help you in some way. It’s so tough but almost freeing – “out with the old!”
You’ll end up making your condo so clean and clutter free that you’ll have to remind yourself why you want to leave. Well…maybe.
kittenroar5 said,
September 24, 2007 at 10:40 pm
My mother says the same thing. My sister #1 never crawled and my mother insists that it messed up her coordination or something. She is rather klutzy.
I hope next weekend isn’t so bad!
rachelle said,
September 25, 2007 at 12:51 am
actually, they now think that exersaucers and jumparoos delay walking due to the fact that they cannot see thier feet. they recommend that they should only do 15 min a day in those things. however, i know we’ve been plenty guilty of letting our meatball spend way more than that as well as watching tv too. soooo. i still say blah.
ps I LOVE THE NAME TANK!!!!
meg said,
September 25, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Tank is way cute!
I wouldn’t worry too much about the crawling… I am no expert of course…. but I am sure it will all be fine.
Good luck getting all the stuff cleaned out. Once you get going on it… it will go quickly!