It hit me hard today driving home from Eden Prairie Center (EPC). Brandon (with a new nickname-Punky) and I went to EPC to eat some lunch in a nummy food court and play in their child's indoor play area. Punky was such a grown man today! He ate all his chicken nuggest and fries and milk. He sat nicely and didn't screecc or throw his food during lunch. When he wanted milk he signed milk (he just learned it 2 days ago but he loves using sign language for milk). After lunch time we headed down to the lower level to play. Concern was growing in my blood as I realized school is officially out and all I heard was children. Sometimes the play area is packed tight with all sizes of kids but mostly those who are a bit too tall to be in the area. Being in no rush I decided to let Brandon walk instead of cruise in the Graco. I put him down and away he went. He is a boy after my own heart as he ran and screeched his way right into Zales jewelry store. I was in shock! He passed the shoes sitting outside the lease line of Journey (he loves shoes) and bolted for some very beautiful rings. He must have wanted to pick something out for mommy. Bending down to ask which one he wants to get for mommy he pointed to the perfect turqoise and diamond ring- the one I eyed when I was following Punky into the store. The store gal was very friendly and we swamped stories as her son is turning one tomorrow! He was so bashful with her and she was so complimentary. Drooling mouths and many fingerprinted glass cases later we continued on our way. Punky loved to walk/run his way to the elevator. He listened to every direction I gave him. I think it helps if you don't hound kids over and over on the same things. We had plenty of time so why rush to the elevators? He actually had more fun watching them go up and down and seeing the people inside. We let the big, glass elevator go up and down many times before we took our turn. Successfully making it to the play area we needed to find 'our spot'. We normally have dad with us but today we really wouldn't have a 'spot' as I would be dilly-dallying around a toddler! It was as packed as a sardine can with all ages of children and their parents/nannies sitting on the sidelines waiting and yelling. I was glad to see one dad playing with his son who was about the same age as Brandon. Since Brandon is home all day with mom and dad we always wonder how he will do amongst a group of children. Before my purse was down he was off and running. And not just to play but to meet a new friend. He met many today and he has a preference for little girls- his age and up to 5 years old or so. One girl taught him how to climb one of the pieces.
Brandon has been here many times before. He has ventured off, stayed in one area, stayed only on the benches with us, stayed on a flower the entire time. He knows this area and has played at his abilities that he could at the time. It has been about a month or so since our last visit and today was a new adventure for him at our ever favorite tot lot. Besides immediately meeting new friends and venturing off he strived in doing so much for himself. As a mom you want to do everything for your kids and I make a very conscious effort to stay away. I showed him a tunnel to crawl through once and a flower to climb. After that he climbed that flower and many ladybugs by himself. He would go in and out and in and out and in and out of that tunnel over and over. The other moms were quite amused. He found the fish to climb on and the jet ski and he knew how to climb onto it by himself and ride it. He even made the noise. After a slip and fall from the jet ski he was off (with no tears-and I didn't go running to him) to a new venture. One that was out of my sight. I sneakily followed to find him climbing the stairs to the large 'jungle' piece where there are many slides coming from. Once at the top he laid on his belly and pushed himself backwards until he hit a wall then he would turn a bit and keep pushing until he quickly found a slide and down he went. He got up thinking he could climb the slide to fall right back down. That was one fast learning moment when something clicked in his brain that he had to go up the stairs again. Not even noticing mommy near by (I kept away and quiet to see how he would do.) he rushed to the stairs and did the belly pushing slide move again to another, bigger slide. Out of my sight again I waited. I knew he was safe and I wanted to see if he knew mommy was out of sight and see what his next move was. He came running around the corner to do the stairs again. He didn't need my help anymore climbing, sliding, running, etc.
I was so proud of him for learning so quickly about how things work and how to do things and being so brave to conquer the environment and new things on his own.
When it was time to go I held up his shoes and socks and he caming running over and knew what we had to do. Grabbing the stroller Punky learned of a new device that goes up and down and people ride it. He was curious and interested. So be it....we are breaking the 'No Strollers on the Escalators' rule. I slowly showed him what we were going to do and explained everything (even if he doesn't understand it all- you should always explain it). I pushed the stoller ahead of us and together we stepped on to the escalator. Brandon did it perfectly one step at a time. I was so proud of him for holding my hand the entire time and stepping quickly on and off the escalator. I know my dad is probably rolling his eyes at me right now and saying something like, "Melissa, he is a kid. Whoop-de-do" but when you realize your little 8 pound baby that you delivered now understands how to walk, talk, run, figure things out, learn new things, climb new things, and so on...it really hits you how proud of him you are. It hit me today! I can't call him my 'baby' anymore. I can't do anything 'baby' with him...heck, he does showers and sits at the table now with mom and dad-at 13 months that isn't bad. It has gone too fast.
Driving home from EPC I kept thinking of how yesterday he was so frusterated that he couldn't work a toy or figure out a book but today he could figure out how to get on and off an escalator. It is amazing how every day there is something new from him and to see how he is learning and processing everything so quickly and in his own unique way.
I think we have officially entered the toddler years! I feel very welcomed! And Punky does too!
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