Jen here with another First Year post…and this one is all about how a crawling baby has turned this house upside down!
It finally happened a few weeks ago – Logan put one hand in front of the other and became a crawler! It was a bittersweet moment. On one hand, I was so happy to watch her as she connected all the dots and learned to move forward. The look of intense concentration on her cute little face was just too precious. But at the same time, this new milestone was another reminder that my baby is growing up…a little too fast for my liking. Can’t she stay little forever? Obviously not, as the very next day, she was crawling so much faster!
In just a few short weeks, my husband and I have gotten a pretty good taste of our new life with this now super independent, crawling baby. Our friends warned us how things would change once Logan became mobile – and we already knew they would – but we are now finding out the full scope of just how different many things are quickly becoming.
I Like to Move It Move It!
I remember the days when Logan was so content to swing, play in her activity jumper or chill in her favorite chair for a meal. But with these new crawling skills, who wants to be stationary for long? Not Logan! This kid sometimes gets frustrated if she’s being “held captive” in one of the above-mentioned contraptions. As soon as she’s crawling around on the floor, couch or playpen, she transforms into a happy camper.
How the World Looks From Here
Have you ever wondered what your house looks like from a foot off the ground? It’s quite an interesting view, especially to a crawling baby! Books on shelves, drawer knobs, cords in electrical outlets – there is so much to explore! And the baby proofing begins…
Dog tails are of particular interest. And speaking of dogs, lately they seem to want to keep themselves tucked in quiet corners of the rooms Logan has yet to explore. You’re safe for now, Dash, buddy.
Wear and Tear
Things are getting worn out. Knees, the knees on pants, energy levels…and that’s just me! Haha But in all seriousness, following this crawler around and keeping an eye on her is tough stuff. I wonder how many times a day I am leaning over to pick up Logan, redirecting her crawling or moving something out of her reach…because my back is aching. I know, I know, it’s going to be like this for a while, especially since our little Logan is starting to pull herself up on things. Say what?! Slow this kid down! Which brings me to…
A Moment of Thanks
Who invented the playpen? I need to write them a letter of gratitude. Then I need to buy one for every room of the house! Haha When I have to get something done, the playpen is where Logan is happiest. I don’t have to worry (as much) about where she’s crawling or what she’s doing. I can actually look away for a moment and do something else, like write this blog post. Thank you, Mr. Playpen Inventor. Thank you.
New Discoveries
As exhausted as I am, there are many wonderful things about Logan crawling. For example, her mobility has led her to discover new things that just blow my mind. Today she discovered her shadow across the floor! When I used to think of all the things Logan will learn about during her first year, I never guessed shadows would make the list. What a fun surprise! It was so neat to watch her move her arms and realize her shadow was moving, too. She took quite a long break from crawling to sit and play with her new friend.
There’s more to tell you about this new crazy and fun chapter in my first year of motherhood, but you-know-who is on the go again! Before I sign off, I would love to ask you: what are your tips and tricks to surviving the crawling baby stage? Leave me a comment below and share your wisdom with me and any other readers who may be wondering the same thing. Thanks in advance!
Meet me here next Monday for the ultimate mommy post – I’m sharing with you my must-haves for Logan’s diaper bag!
First Year Cheers!
