The Lunge and Grab

Little Man has added a new skill to his repertoire of abilities: the lunge and grab.

Little Man has been reaching for objects for quite some time now but has recently discovered that even though he can't crawl or walk, there are ways of getting himself to objects he desires. And that way is to propel himself at the object with all his force.

For example: Husband and I were eating dinner on the floor and playing with Little Man. Husband was helping the baby stand and supporting him around the waist. Little Man bent those knees and pushed with all his might, surprising both his Dad and myself--and launching himself into my plate of tacos. Floor, meet my dinner.

Since Husband and I have gotten wise to the launch attempts when we're helping Little Man stand, he has had to figure out alternate ways to try to abscond with objects he isn't supposed to have (like my taco). He scootches inch by inch while sitting on his bum towards his desired target, then flops himself onto his stomach and streeeeeches out his hands until he gets what he wants. He has gotten many a magazine and game controller that way, and last night he got his hands in the bowl of M&M's for a brief moment.

This new-found freedom of being able to reach and grab things has led to placemats being pulled off the table, items found in the shopping cart that I didn't put there, and the discovery of the "ring this if you've had good service" bell at Kroger. You should have seen the look of pure joy on his face when he found that.

Since the discovery of the Lunge and Grab and the fact that crawling is going to happen any minute now, baby proofing is no longer imminent--it's downright necessary.