The minor milestones | Team Rasler

I originally wrote this as a Facebook note, back when I was new to both FB and to blogging. Now, two and a half years later, I keep thinking back to it as I watch Theo attain each one of these. So here it is again, with some updates in honor of the little man.

I’ve celebrated each one of the major milestones my sons have met: first smile, rolling over, sitting up, first tooth, crawling, first word, walking. They’ve all been amazing, and everyone has cheered right along with me as they clicked through them. They seem to do and learn new things daily, though, and sometimes these lesser-known milestones have been even more exciting and fun. Here are some of my favorites from toddlerhood:

First splash: He loved his bath, but was Mr. Serious in it, picking up cups, investigating his rubber duckie…until he figured out that he could SPLASH! A new world of soaking everyone and everything! Suddenly bathtime was hilarious.

Clapping: Is there anything much cuter than a baby clapping? I assert that there is not.

Putting things “in”: I adore the cleaning up tendencies that Theo has now that he knows how to put things in a container. Fun for him and helpful for me.

Pointing: When Sebastian learned that he could point to an object and I would name or sign it, it opened up the entire world. Suddenly books were so fun that he would pick them out of the bin, bring them to me, and plop himself into my lap. We then spend the next five minutes or so pointing to various objects in the book (we don’t so much read the stories yet) and signing or saying them. This one helps distract him whether we have a book or not. He fell on the sidewalk the other day, getting his first kneescrape (not a great milestone), but was instantly distracted by my asking, “Where’s the truck?” He pointed to it, signed it, and went on his merry way. This one has been a long time coming for Theo. It’s been tough waiting for him to love books the way the rest of the three of us do. But finally! He now loves pointing his way through a “Things That Go” book.

Pressing buttons: There is a whole world of electronic toys out there all waiting for the moment when your child can press the button intentionally. This has given me hours of independent playing time in which to get my chores done. Excellent.

Dancing: Ok, really, I burst out laughing every time Sebastian dances to music. It started with just a head wiggle when we would say “la, la, la.” Now he presses buttons on things that make music and shakes them back and forth in his arms, grinning with all his might. Love it. Theo is every bit as cute a dancer!

Sound effects: Yes, the first word was exciting just for the sake of it, but it was “duck” so not as useful or cute as later words that followed. My current favorites are “Mama” (of course), “whoa” and “uh oh.” His animal sounds pretty much all crack me up, too. Theo’s first word was “hi” and right now “uh oh” and “woof” are my favorites of his. He’s got a pretty accurate “moo,” too!

Self-feeding: Yes, it’s still a messy endeavor, but being able to actually eat while the children are eating? Priceless.

Playing together: I know, toddlers supposedly don’t play with other kids. They play near each other. But my boys really are starting to play together. They copy each other’s sounds or movements and then giggle hysterically. It makes up for all the times I am playing the part of Referee.

Blowing kisses: This one ranks right up there with the clapping. I LOVE it. Bonus when the boys are blowing kisses to each other.

I’m sure that I’ll be adding to this continuously as my munchkin grows up. In fact, I’ve got a preschool version brewing that may be next.

How about you? What are your favorites?