I’m Not Ready For This
This is my son, Bean Man.
It used to be that he could be contained. We could sit him on the floor or throw him in his crib and he stayed there. In one place. Where we put him.
Now, not so much.
Now, there’s lots of moving. Lots of free movement. Movement that Chris and I have no control over.
And then there’s this…
And that quickly leads to this…
Which is just the beginning of this…
And we all know that this eventually leads to…
…Yep. We have standing. Standing up in our crib.
And, of course, standing up in our crib means that Chris spent last night lowering the mattress to the bottom setting so that Beaner doesn’t get so excited that he jumps ship.
I realize that eight months into this whole parenting gig, I should be used to change. Babies change every single day. Every morning Bean wakes up, something’s different. He’s bigger or he’s smarter or he’s trying new foods or he’s playing with different toys. Every day is change with a baby. I should be used to this by now.
And, most days, I am okay with all the change. Most days I’m even excited about it. I mean, this is way more gratifying that growing a houseplant. Bean gives kisses and high fives. My houseplants could never do that.
But some days, all the change and growth in Bean is almost scary. What if I can’t keep up with him? What if I’m not giving him what he needs at each new stage? What if…
Just when I think I’m going to go crazy with all this change, Chris gives me this sweet little smile and tells me, “I just love him.” And with those little words, I can handle the change. I get excited about all the change. I’m ready for the next change.
Except for the standing. I don’t know if even Chris can prepare me for the standing…
25 Comments
Christina
Wait until he’s nine and fixing breakfast for the siblings!!
My first was walking at 8 1/2 months. It was weird. Pulling up right now…it’s a good thing! 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
He is getting so big – and he is just gorgeous!
andrea
bean is right on target and that is a good thing 🙂 just be hopeful he isn’t one of those babies that decides to skip crawling and goes right to…college, well that’s what it seems like sometimes! (my brother started walking at 7 months then later got down and started crawling, he’s always been different)
it’s funny how with every new stage you miss the last one more then you ever thought you would and secretly can’t wait for the next one. it was so exciting when my son started walking…then he started running. oh how i miss the walking.
Mommy, Esq.
I completely agree with you! It was hard when they started crawling but once they started walking it was even tougher – they become PEOPLE. With opinions and demands and whining. Sure their smiles light up your world but they leave a trail of destruction as they move from one activity to the next. It’s a crazy wild ride!
Margaret
Katie – that is amazing! And TERRIFYING! I don’t what I’ll do once my little man starts standing. Yeesh, and Beanie’s only a handful of days older. Good luck! 😉
Sarah H.
Aww it’s all bittersweet. At least you have this amazing blog documenting the everyday or every week of change!!
Christina
Congrats to Little Bean! We kind of skipped over some things with my child (now 7) when he was that age. He was walking by 8 months so change came really fast in our household. It was fun and we were so proud. It really doesn’t stop, only new changes occur and make you even more proud and have even more fun.
Casey
Get Ready, my son started walking at 9 months too. Don’t worry y ou won’t have time to be sad then. You’ll be too busy chasing lil man.
Mrs. D
What a cutie!
deepa
wow! we are planning to lower the crib this weekend – the kiddo is getting a wee bit too mobile for his own good.
i know how obnoxious this sounds (i hate getting unsolicited advice), but watch out for that bumper. the bean can use it to climb out. i just asked our dr about the bumper (we wanted to put one in, since rohan is rolling face first into the slats) and she said not to since he could use it as a stepping stone right out of the crib.
i can’t wait for walking! maybe all that running around will make me feel better about not working out…:)
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
Dang you have a cute kid.
Just remember that each stage that seems terrifying now, you will look back on with nostalgia. For instance when he’s running full speed through a crowded parking lot, laughing while you try to catch him? You’ll totally miss standing in the crib.
Tressa
Love the wet hair! He looks all proud of himself!! Adorable
Nate's Mom
Yes – change is the only constant in parenting! I love love love how different all babies are! Nate’s a few weeks older than Beanie, and he’s no where near standing. In fact, scooting backwards (at an ever increasing pace) is where it’s at for him. I have a feeling it’s because he’s a chunk and, well, Bean’s more of a bean pole. I love the look of pride on your babe’s face. Beanie – you rock!!!
Dandy
Oh thats so exciting!! Have I ever told you that I love his hair?
My niece was walking at 9 months, she was so tiny, it was freaky.
Sarah C
Great photo’s he is so cute.
My oldest figured out how to get out of the crib WAY before he learned to walk. Good luck with the next stage:)
Amanda
Going to sleep now offers more challenge…he can stand up to refuse you. I remember laying Jack back down a bazillion times, and then finally figured out that he’ll just collapse when he’s ready to sleep. Have fun!!!
mindy@thesuburbanlife
Ruh Roh…it’s the beginning of the end for you…the end of any kind of freedom as you knew it. Get ready for unannounced visits in the bathroom. Get ready for missing keys. Get ready for a whole lot of frustration. Get ready for falling in love with your little guy all over again! =)
Mindy
http://www.thesuburbanlife.com
Kim
Change, the only permanent part of childhood.
You’re kind of lucky though, my oldest crawled at 5 months. Talk about yikes!
Bean’s hair is riot, I love it. Maybe he’ll have a cool man ponytail one day. 😉 (Meant completely as a compliment, please don’t cut it)
Adrienne S.
Katie- Bean is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. I just found out I’m 6 weeks pregnant and looking at all your pictures just makes me more excited!
Katie
Go, Bean, Go!!
Katie M.
I know how you feel! My baby just got mobile too and I feel like all of the sudden it’s catching up with me. And my husband says the same thing as Chris! He’ll say “That baby is just so cute” or “I really love our baby” It just melts me!
Gale
Awww! It’s so sad when their cute little crib turns into a bed and first the bumpers go, then the mobiles leave, then pretty soon even the pictures on the wall aren’t safe. I about had a heart attack when #2 (the climber) surprised me one morning as I peaked in by grinning at me FROM THE TOP OF THE DRESSER! Note to self: do not put a dresser anywhere near the crib if you have a climber! I miss this stage. Give your little guy an extra hug from those of us whose babies are grown but aren’t quite ready for the grandparent gig yet!
Sadie at heyMamas
And all the changing happens right before your eyes and blows right by. Enjoy every minute and notice every change.
Sadie at heyMamas
allison
Please don’t be creeped out but…last night I met you and Bean in my dream. You were somewhere in CT and I ran up to you like a crazy stalker and asked if I could hold him.
Jen
Think you’re nervous now about the standing? Wait until he stand near the stairs. I was sure my kids were going to get sucked down the stairs. If they were ten feet away I’d hover to make sure I could grab them when the sucking started.
Just looking at your cutie there standing in the crib makes me nervous and my kids have been walking for 6 years.