The Early Toddler
Elise is at one of my favorite stages: the early toddler. Walking, but not running. Steady enough on her feet so she can navigate the playroom on her own. Careful enough to lie down and back down the stairs. Talking, but not talking back. Not yet saying "no" to everything. Her extreme curiosity about her new found freedom and the things she can now reach by standing and walking entices her to play independently. But she still wants to cuddle with mommy and daddy.
Her joy in the simplest items - items I don't even notice lying around my house - is refreshing. Yesterday, she found an old cassette case and walked around with it - proudly holding it out to each of us (including the cat). One by one, she showed each of us how to open it and delighted in the squeak it made as she did so.
As she flashes me a proud smile and shows me that she discovered a 'new' item (like a plastic Easter egg) or mastered a skill I take for granted (like standing on her tippy toes to get something just out of reach), I wish I could freeze time - if just for a moment - and bathe myself in the beauty, innocence and wonder that is a curious toddler.
31 spoke up!:
Awww, I miss that stage. It goes by so fast.
And then their yelling NO!
Definitely a delicious age. Enjoy!
Becca is in the same early toddler groove. I love it. You captured it perfectly here.
Gorgeous post. And, a great reminder to us all to revel in the early toddler, and every other stage of childhood.
Those truly are the best times. Enjoy them while you can and don't take them for granted.
Such a sweet post.
Thank you for this post. My son is exactly at this stage also, it is SO nice, I want to freeze him like this forever.
beautiful post. Enjoy these moments they go by so quickly.
This is a fun age. That's where we're at too (maybe a little farther though). I love how he reacts to all the things he's discovering. So much fun!
"You've Just Been Ghosted -- Come Over and Grab A Puking Pumpkin!"
Toddler Time for you and I!! :) Thanks for the reminder to enjoy the sweet stuff too.
Some days, ah hell, most days I wish my teens were 3 and 1 again. I loved the baby/toddler/early preschool ages!!!! Thanks for sharing your joy with us.
oh, i loved that stage with Zander, although i didn't get to fully experience it since Logan was a screaming preemie at the time.
i think Logan has bypassed that stage. he refuses to walk, even though he's shown us he can do it. he still isn't talking. he's not careful about anything...especially the stairs, which he tries to descend face-first. aaaaahhhhhhh!!!!
enjoy it while it lasts...time flies by at the speed of light, doesn't it?
My baby boy is just getting to that stage. He's just beginning those first steps...but, I love the innocence, sweetness and curiosity of it all.
I love and alas, miss that stage.
Enjoy it, and take LOTS of videos!
Awwwww... so cute!!
It's so nice to read a positive post about a toddler. They really aren't all that bad (for the most part).
Our little one is here too. I love it.
Sigh. 'Tis a most sweet and fleeting time indeed. My Brandon (10 mos) has discovered the remote. He gets such a kick out of aiming at the tv and pushing the buttons. And here I thought it was "nurture", a learned ManSkill, but no. It's genetic. LOL!
Blessings,
~Toni2~
Thats beautiful i never thought of it like that, i guess i could say my youngest is just leaving the early toddler stage - it has been a fun ride
That's a great way to think of things. My son usually just drives me crazy :-)
My youngest just started walking too and I'm remembering all over again how much I love 1year olds. She's just exploding- learning new words or baby signs everyday. It's amazing to watch her brain grow!
That is such a great stage. The don't stay there too long though. My youngest is past that now. Of course he is a boy which means he is now getting into the destructive stage. Instead of being proud of figuring out how things work, he is proud of figuring out how to take them apart. Maybe it is the same thing in the end.
Thanks for the great post!
My son is just beginning that same stage, and its wonderful. I am trying to enjoy every minute as much as I can...
Beautiful post!!
What's a cassette? ;)
Bubbie is in that exact stage (he was born July 06) and I am amazed each day to see the light bulb go off. I want to bottle his enthusiasm for all things new.
Awesome. Awesome.
Love this post, Shauna, it's so true!
I would freeze them all at this age if I could.
Aww, what a great stage !!
Camcorder, camcorder!! That way if and when she turns in to a little hellion you can remind yourself of these wonderful times and refrain from ripping out all of your hair :)
Oh, Shauna...you make me wish I had frozen time myself. I'm glad you are blogging about it. In the days when my kids were small, I didn't blog and so many of those moments are lost.
That was so beautiful.
My favorite time is about 3-4. I don't know if I could put into words why, but that was my favorite age for myself, my sister and Sunshine. Just a lot of good memories, I guess.
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