When you are a brand new parent you look at those parenting guides like the law. They tell you when your baby is supposed to do this or do that and are supposed to be helpful. Well, they are, at least until your perfect baby is late for one. Then panic ensues and your husband has to listen to you obsess over every little thing. And at only a month or two old there isn’t a lot going on so it is easy to put unnecessary pressure on yourself and your baby.
Milestones are important. At the beginning of each new month I look at the What to Expect book and the Baby 411 book for new tricks Gage should be learning, but I don’t obsess anymore. Those first three months I drove myself and Jason crazy. Some milestones he was early for (raising his head, bearing weight on his legs), some he was right on time (sitting up), and others he was late for (smiling). But somehow if you wait a month or two you’ll find that your baby will do things on his own time. As my pediatrician told me, “the baby doesn’t read those books.”
All of the obsessing doesn’t make it happen any faster and you lose happy time just enjoying your baby. Having said all that Gage did reach a very important and scary milestone this week. He is crawling! All others to this point pale in comparison to this life changer. He is fast and I’ll admit that we are a little late in baby proofing the house. It’s so much fun to watch him cruise around on his own. See?
But with this freedom comes stressful moments like these…
He falls down. A lot. But at least not off this step so far 🙂 Welcome to the crazy train. I’ve had a lot less time at the computer this week for very good reason !
Thanks for all of the advice on the napping last week. I confess I have not been very successful this week, but I’m okay with that.
Stacy's Books 
He is just beyond adorable! But what? He doesn’t read the What to Expect book?!! There needs to be a board book, maybe, for babies, What Your Mommy and Daddy Expect and How to Make Them Crazy Because of It! :–)
He is so adorable!
Well, I am single with no kids but I have always been around my nephews and nieces. I used to baby sit a lot too. And once they started to crawl it was no stopping them. Baby proofing does not really help much. First things, babies pick up, are footwear! Watch out for those!
Oh my, he looks so pleased with himself in that photo on the left. I suspect he has some mischief in mind. It sounds like you have a great pediatrician. Just take Gage in for his check-ups and leave the worrying to the doctor.
He’s a real cutie!
I have yet to buy a book of milestones and what to expect; although I do get a week by week update online of possible things baby could be doing. I decided not to obsess over it, which is difficult, as my son’s caregiver has a daughter a month younger. I try to focus on what he seems to be working on, and encourage him to move on to the next thing when he seems receptive. I have found I really dislike being asked if he’s sitting, crawling, walking, etc; posed as “he must be doing such and such by now!) Like Gage, he’s been right on time or early with some things and not text book on others. He was born 4 weeks early which “might” delay a thing or two, but as a rule it hasn’t. Your son is beautiful and perfect in his own way. Put your running shoes on and enjoy! 🙂
Gage looks very happy! He’s on the move, so watch out! It’s hard not to obsess when you are a new parent and watching every move he makes. He is doing great in all areas and he couldn’t be any cuter. Watch out Scout and Max!
what a cutie 🙂
Let the fun begin…lol…I have to say, that I don’t comment very often but I always read your posts…and I really do enjoy Sundays with Gage…
Wow crawling that is fantastic! next step walking. It wasnt until our little monkey was crawling that we worked out exactly how unprepared we were baby proofing wise! They say you can tell what stage a child is at by the level of baby proofing in the house!
He’s mobile! Oh, things will never be the same again. Yay for Gage! And I wish you lots of energy for the coming months and years of running after him 🙂
You’re getting wise fast!! Good for you! I obsessed about milestones for far too long. I think you do with first children and when you’re a newbie mom. I would talk myself out of doing it … then it would seem like he was “behind” and I’d start up again. Your pediatrician said it just right! He’s soooo cute … but getting mobile. Now the fun REALLY starts!
Mobility is definitely a game-changer for parenting. Wait until he starts walking!!
yeah.. i dont read the books.. and i dont record when she does crap. whoops.
He’s so adorable!
I wish I had paid more attention to the milestones, not whether or not she was on schedule, just to mark down and remember later. I don’t remember when she started walking or talking and I’m lucky I remember what her first word was (boat – I have not idea why).
He’s so stinkin’ cute!!! Let me make you feel a bit better..the obsessing part doesn’t really ever stop! 😀 It’s a mom-thing!!
Oh wow – already? Tell Gage to stop growing up so fast. You will now get endless exercise chasing that cutie as he cruises around, creating all kinds of new things for you to worry about :0) You should post a video of him in motion.
Crazy train indeed! Gage is going to have you running all over the place. Make sure the cabinets all have the child safety things too, or else you’ll find him banging on your good pots and pans 🙂
What an adorable little guy! Go Gage Go!