On the go!

Max needs to be in motion... it's pretty hard for him to sit still!

It started young, this need for speed. Max came out holding up his own head, and when we inflicted tummy time apon him, he would move his arms and legs as though he was swimming. And speaking of swimming, he loved being in the water. The freedom to move his arms and legs at the same time provoked the biggest smiles that he had!

Once he figured out rolling over, a little over two months, he was never in the same place I put him down. He loved the Jolly Jumper, getting heights that NBA players might envy. He never liked the stroller much, except to nap, but loved the baby carriers, again because he could move his limbs in time with my walking. Plus he always loved the closeness that carriers allow.

Sitting up did not lead to crawling in our house. Instead, it lead to pulling up on anything and everything he could reach. Pulling up quickly lead to cruising around, which in no time at all became walking. He wasn't even 10 months when we started going for little walks around the neighbourhood, and I realized that holding my child's hand was one of the most reinforcing feelings I had ever experienced.

Running followed walking. Climbing followed running. My boy was so full of life when he was free and running! Parks became a daily destination, and Dan built an amazing fort in our backyard.

Max is almost 6, and he gets his kicks now by riding his bike, taking the scooter around the block, and playing hopscotch with his sister. I've stopped thinking that all this movement is disruptive, and rather have begun to look at it for it's true purpose... a means through which Max can regulate himself. A way to express what he's feeling when words can't quite capture it. And it's still as endearing as ever.