Ethan is Walking!

I had predicted that Ethan would start walking before his first birthday. I was about a month off. But in my defense Ethan has been taking steps since he was eleven months old so I thought he would have it down by his birthday. Instead, Ethan has shown that crawling is his preferred mode of transportation. This decision has frustrated us a little. Ethan will take five or ten good steps with much prodding and encouragement from Mom and Dad so we know he has the motor skills to walk. My guess is that he lacks confidence.

So what changed his mind all of the sudden? This year we spent Thanksgiving with our friends Colin and Ginny Moses and their extended family here in Phoenix. (Thanks again to them by the way. We had a wonderful time.) There were tons of kids walking everywhere at the family gathering. Ethan watched the older kids and realized that maybe crawling isn't the best way to get around. Suddenly he starting walking around the room without any help or coxing from Mom and Dad. SUCCESS!! Finally!

Unfortunately, now that we are back at home, and it is just him and me, he isn't walking like he was on Thanksgiving Day. Still, the fact remains that HE DID IT!!! Ethan started walking! Here is the video clip to prove it. This wasn't his best walking spree of the night but I did catch some walking on video.

Hopefully he will keep up the good work. I might have to borrow someone's kids for a day for encouragements sake. Any volunteers?