Lessons in Falling

June has had two big spills recently. Split seconds after each of them, thunder running through my body, I've held her wailing body next to me. The first time I was the major consoler. The second time, Adam was right there, being such a good dad that it does my heart good to think on it. Both times I've trembled for awhile afterward. Both times I've been thoroughly frightened.

Last night, June and I were taking a bath together. The kitty entered the bathroom, and meowed. June saw the kitty and reached to the side of the tub, her fingers slipped, and wham! her mouth hit the side of the tub full force. She was bleeding from the impact of her teeth on the inside of her upper lip. Adam told me afterward that the mouth heals faster than any other part of the human body. This was some consolation, as I watched and wondered if she would get a fat lip, if she would be able to nurse. She was fine shortly thereafter, though it took me sometime longer.

The other fall was weekend before last. She was playing with this little metal arch that is a bike rack. The problem was that she had been playing with a different one wherein she could reach the top of the arch. Not realizing the difference, she reached up for the top, jumped a little, missed, and fell, hitting the back of her head on concrete.

I know that learning to walk is a time of many falls, but I just want to say: enough already!

And I think any karmic lessons I needed to learn have been imparted. I now know that even within arm's reach, I cannot protect June from all forms of danger. This is alarming to the mom in me, but a realistic thing in truth. We all have to know that we can't protect our kids from everything. So please world, let up a little with the falls. This mommy can't take it anymore.

Walking Practice

I couldn't seem to get a photo of the actual steady walking she's doing, but you get the idea of the fun we have! This morning June said "apple" and she also said "quack quack." Pretty cool. This week she learned to give high fives.

She has also had some deep and contagious belly laughs. Once when Adam was squirting me with her medicine syringe in the bathtub. And then this morning as the cat batted at string I was playing with.

I am amazed at how quickly she is learning things and gaining coordination. Two weeks ago she could hardly maneuver her walking lion, now she scoots it all around and all over the house.

I want to record that she loves to burrow the crown of her head against something when she is sleeping. She will push forward in the bed until she has a pillow (stuffed against the wall the way we set it up) that she can shove her head into.

And she just delights in doing big person things. So much love. Happy Saturday everyone!