Friday, October 24, 2008

A step forward

Last week I wrote about the challenges of waiting. I had two interesting responses to that.
The first was from Matt’s physiotherapist, Pam, who phoned to encourage me and also to advocate on Matt’s behalf. She shared how she had observed that Matt, despite me not being able to see it, was in fact very interested in walking. He is very busy practicing and perfecting the various components required for walking. She also explained that child learn in different ways – some think through and plan the task, only attempting it once they are certain they can accomplish it; others just dive in, regardless of whether they will get it right or not, and learn by trying and making mistakes along the way. Matt falls into the first group. She encouraged me that he will walk when he feels he can do it, and then he will walk well.
The second response was from Matt. I joked with Pam that I think Matt had read by blog because the day following my post he showed me that he thought the idea of walking was very appealing in deed. That afternoon my dad visited us and spent time encouraging Matt to push the walker. Matt was very enthusiastic about this as long as my dad held him from behind. (Until that day Matt had not shown any interest in the walker whenever I had offered it to him!!) That evening I put Matt down in front of the walker, he grasped the frame, pushed it forward, walking independently from me! I was astonished. Matt was thrilled with himself (so cute). He pushed that walker with such grace and poise it looked like he was well experienced – just as Pam had said he would.
Matt has been pushing that walker around the house more and more each day. Here are some photos of the soon-to-be-walking boy from this afternoon’s play time.







8 comments:

Anxious AF said...

I love how he gets closer and closer!
Go Matt!!!

Cindy said...

Look out world...Matt is going to be getting into everything very soon!

Anonymous said...

So cute. When Noah walks around with his walker he looks around to see if anyone is watching him. He always looks so proud of himself just like Matt does.. Don't worry they will both be walking soon.

HennHouse said...

Yeah! Go MATT!!

Tarah Peacock said...

Yeah go Matt! He looks like he is having a lot fun pushing his little walked around.

Thanks so much for your advice, I really appreciate it. I am not sure what a RTS list serv cos is? If you could email me the information (terzies@msn.com) I would really appreciate it!

Thanks again,

Tarah

Julia Travis said...

Matt looks like SUCH a big boy all upright and moving forward - very exciting! Now that he has the sensation of being mobile, I'm sure he will be encouraged to attempt a few independent steps soon!

Anonymous said...

That is so interesting, Jax! Matt's by kinda guy:) My mom has always told me that I walked VERY late (at 18 months - but numbers are irrelevant anyway. She explained that I wouldn't even try "babysteps" for a very long time, until one day I just got up and walked and ran! Never thought that story was significant - always thought I was just slow. Now I understand that I was thinking it through, planning ahead - just like Matt - very cool!:):) Thanks for sharing that and the pics are great! lol, Micha

Terri H-E said...

Alright, Matt. No stopping you now! I wonder what you'll choose to conquer next...