Boeta, 2 weeks old[/caption]I find the development of Boeta a wonderful experience to watch and be part of. Initially those little hands remain clenched in little fists. As many photographs depict they do have a nice grip if you put your finger in there, a type of reflex, but they are not able to actively reach and grip - this is part of future discovery!
At around 8 weeks or so those hands begin to open and initially Boeta looked like a boxer in exercise, batting at the dangling playthings. A few weeks later I was lucky enough to be making a video, when he grasped the same playthings for the first time, slowly closing the hand around the toy and yes pulling it straight to the mouth, another big moment in Boeta's life and those little hands.
[caption id="attachment_91" align="alignnone" width="222"]
Boeta nearly 3 months.[/caption]From there it was shaking of things and then he transferred toys from hand to hand. Tummy time also became more interesting as he started exploring his immediate surroundings and the materials he was placed on, with the fingers, picking up and testing with the mouth. This puts a whole new strain on Mom and Dad, making sure nothing harmful is in range. By this time hair pulling or grabbing is fun, less so for dad, but funny non-the-less.
[caption id="attachment_88" align="alignnone" width="468"]
Boeta's tummy time on deck.[/caption]The "pincer grasp", picks small things up with thumb and forefinger, seems to start from around 7-8 months and from there on he works on perfecting this over the next months. He also got stronger and lifted himself up on the still closed hands.
[caption id="attachment_87" align="alignnone" width="470"]
Boeta working hard and started pulling faces too![/caption]By around 8 months he was on all four's and starting to prepare for crawling, but only one hand seemed to be open and we played slapping games to make him comfortable with both hands being open in that position.
Interesting enough, he started crawling only once he learned to open both hands on the floor and lifting himself. That first crawl has evolved with various speeds too, slow, mid and race, which is pretty fast.
At 9 months, maybe a little later, he started trying to page through the thick paged baby books. He loves his books and spends lots of time with them in a day.
[caption id="attachment_82" align="alignnone" width="488"]
Boeta preparing to crawl, one hand open in position.[/caption]At this point it is important to note that I played various games and did regular baby exercises with him throughout the preceding months. One Friday afternoon, it all clicked and off he went.
[caption id="attachment_83" align="alignnone" width="475"]
Boeta tearing down the hallway, 10 months[/caption]By 11 months he is also trying to feed himself with some help, it is said some begin earlier, and maybe we did not attempt this earlier to know, but he is trying it now. He is forever taking toys and turning them around (upside down) and investigating, it seems, how it is put together or works.
[caption id="attachment_89" align="alignnone" width="479"]
Investigating a toy![/caption]That is where we are, keeping an eye on those hands, because they are forever looking for new things to get hold and investigate. Being low to the ground those hands can put you in a "spot" when with friends, because he quickly finds anything "normally not seen" in visits. He also quickly points out the "stuff" that should be put away!
[caption id="attachment_84" align="alignnone" width="540"]
A favorite book with sliding windows[/caption]He loves playing games with knock the soccer ball and chase it, a firm favorite, hide and seek and dad cannot catch me, I am too fast being other much-loved games. Over the past weeks he started throwing things he picked up, still funny at the moment.
[caption id="attachment_85" align="alignnone" width="497"]
Gripping a ball, which has now evolved to try to throw it![/caption]While we are having fun playing, it has become apparent that the little joker has more and more interest in walking, standing alone for longer and longer, walking around while holding on to things....and grabbing at anything he sees in the new height.
[caption id="attachment_90" align="alignnone" width="496"]
Boeta is amused by his radio controlled car![/caption]Finally as a father and not expert, above is a summary of my experiences with Boeta, a unique individual, which is true of every baby and toddler. I use child development guidelines as just that, guidelines, because every baby is different and every household equally so. In some cases he is quicker in mastering and some a little later. Importantly, he is a healthy little boy with barely any issues so far (little constipation a few months back).
[caption id="attachment_86" align="alignnone" width="459"]
Eating a rice cake![/caption]Little Hands
My little hands play patty-cake
They peek-a-boo and wave . . .
They catch me while I learn to walk
And splash me as I bathe . . .
My little hands reach up to you
For hugs before I sleep . . .
And fold together when I pray
The Lord my soul to keep . . .
My little hands are tiny now
But yours will serve to guide me . . .
And when I'm grown I'll still reach out
And know you're right beside me.
Author unknown
No comments:
Post a Comment