Walker: The Training Wheels of Walking

Eight months later... Today was the first time the little girl was placed in her walker, and she reached the floor.  The rubberized, panda-faced feeties of her panda-bear-encrusted pajamas gave enough friction to hurtle Meesch past the couch, along the tile, towards her desired object - the walker's empty box.  Chosen direction:  backwards.

It's a start.  If one is going to pick the first way one would walk, while seated in an elaborate chair, mounted with plastic flowers, mirrors, Pooh bear, and most importantly, wheels, reverse seems like an ideal direction.  I have a feeling she will be an excellent parallel parker one day, just like her masterful father, seasoned in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

Needless to say, the race has begun, and the anxiety to baby-proof the house draws tighter around my chest, forcing us to draw the cupboard doors tightly-closed and locked to child.  If her tiny feet give her vast freedom, authority must limit it with a unanimous parental vote, by bounding her migration and immigration to stores of cleaning supplies and pointy objects, dwelling under sinks.  These are the days to harness her legs' bouncing power for good, but for what device, we know not yet.

It's ok, though she is winning, the battle of sleep, that is.  Naptime begins today at 10 am, after waking her devoted mother at 5.  Both the mama and the baby are sleeping deeply after tiring each other out.  Why I don't sleep is beyond me, because I am definitely not immune to the stirring child at that hour, and I awaken like any other father in direct proximity to a smacking arm across the face.  At that point, I chew on baby-fingers, not even receiving the pleasure of a baby-giggle.  The nerve of her.

Forgiven.  One can never underestimate the cuteness factor,  quickly deflating the madness directed at the little girl, who needs us to feed, poo, clean and play.  The "play" part is being challenged by her independent bounce time in the bouncy-bounce, a spring-loaded contraption, when held in the wrong direction, and plucked by a giant, could be a baby sling shot.  In our case, it serves to propel our child several inches up and down, while she strengthens her legs, in preparation for the first walk.

When this may happen is up to her and her training.  The most productive training occurs while watching Yo Gabba Gabba, or Wonderpets.  The excitement she feels from these musical, children shows motivates her lower body to jump and bounce ad nauseum, without the nausea.

Before I join the two sleeping ladies, I want to say how amazed I am at how dedicated the mama is to our child.  I spend most of my days at a store on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, leaving baby and mama to themselves five days per week.  The schedule has been created, the challenge of feeding has been overcome, and a daughter is being raised humbly and triumphantly by an amazing woman.  I play my part of caregiver and playmate, but nothing could replace the mommy's role, and the little girl's bond to her.

These eight months have flown past us, and each tiny change is due to the love and nurturing of Mischa's mommy.  My soul is overflowing with love for the both of them.  Time to take part in the mid-morning nap.