The Stair Master

My little guy has been getting pretty frustrated lately.  He is every bit a two year old boy, from the tantrums, to playing super hero beat-um-up games, to giggle fits.  Every way except for the running around like crazy part.  And this is his source of frustration.  Christian wants to do everything, check everything out, and explore every nook and cranny.  Unfortunately, I am his means to an end, and I don’t always interpret his wants correctly.  This results in a lot of fit-throwing, general grumpiness, and sadly, time outs. 

Tonight Christian really wanted to follow his sister around.  I ignored my screaming back, bent over, and holding him under his arms, assisted Christian in walking after Tes on the way to bath.  When we got to the bottom of the stairs I started to pick him up but then reconsidered, and decided to let him walk up the stairs on his own.  Usually this means that I stoop over and “hop” Christian up, one stair at a time, which he finds hilarious.  As I was about to pick him up for the first step he raised his right knee and stepped onto the next step. 

This little feat was amazing on several levels.  The first amazing factor is that Christian usually has a very difficult time getting his legs to do different things.  He wants to flex both legs or bend both legs at the same time.  On the stairs this evening he had one leg straight and one leg bent at ninety degrees.  The second amazing thing he did was switch his weight to his right leg, push off and pull his left leg up onto the step.  I was in shock.  Keep in mind I was still hunched over, holding him upright, and expecting to pick him up and carry him the rest of the way.  But this is when the most amazing thing of all happened; he continued to walk in this same way up the entire stair case. 

Towards the top he had a hard time getting his foot over the lip of the stair and I helped him pick it up for the last few steps.  I could tell he was working extremely hard, and I was so proud I thought my heart would burst. When we made it to the top Christian was beaming.  He knew that he had just done something totally new, and very impressive.  Watching my little man climb those stairs tonight was watching absolute beauty in motion.  I am still in awe.