Climbing

Abby's little feet have been itching to climb something ever since she could stand well. I've noticed her kicking for a foothold on several different toys. Over the last few weeks, her physical abilities are starting to permit her to carry out some interesting feats of strength.

Just a few days after her first birthday, when she was just beginning to walk, Abby had already managed a few moves while standing on the low railing that supports her high chair.




Just before Christmas, Abby started using her pop-up toy as a step stool. Jonathan saw her use it to climb up and belly surf on her music table, but unfortunately I missed that move and it hasn't been repeated. I did catch her using her new found step to get a better look out the front window and to make a more aggressive attempt to search the love seat for her daddy's remote control.





The real climbing came after Christmas. After stepping up on the rungs of a kitchen chair, Abby managed to throw her leg over the top and get up on her knees on the chair. All this in an effort to touch the "bye" - our phone. She has also made a couple attempts at climbing the sides of the play yard from the outside.

Abby got a cute little giraffe rocking toy for Christmas from Uncle Tim, Aunt Amy, Brooke, & Peyton. She likes to rock on it for as long as her attention span will allow - a few seconds at a time. She quickly learned to get on and off by herself. Then she decided simple riding was not enough. She now regularly puts both feet on the giraffe's back and rides standing up. In the middle picture below, she had already let go with one hand and proceeded to let go with the other hand seconds later.




I'm still not sure whether I'm more impressed with her skills or concerned for her safety. In typical toddler fashion, she has no sense of danger. I do love that Abby is adventurous - she did not inherit this trait from me. Notice the look of pride/disbelief on Jonathan's face as he witnesses this trick for the first time and scrambles to catch Abby when she lets go. Fortunately for all of us, she still rides standing up and has given up the "no hands" approach.

I know Abby's climbing days have just began and all these tricks will be small potatoes compared to climbing on top of furniture and climing out of her crib. Thank goodness children learn gradually so my nerves have time to adjust!