Developmental Burst!

Ivy has been trucking along, taking life as it comes. She enjoys the world and everything in it. To be 100% honest there are few things Ivy won't tolerate and those are even negotiable at times.

This said, it isn't hard to imagine her content at whatever developmental stage she's in. For the most part she's very content. She was content to lie on her back. After some encouragement and a lot of opportunity she became content to lie on her stomach. Then being placed in a seated position over and over allowed her opportunities to build strength and balance to be a sitter - a contented sitter. Time, work and practice helped her move from sitter to baby that goes from sitting to lying, contentedly. Then she'd lie there, content. More encouragement, time and practice helped her to put herself smoothly into a seated position.

Through each stage and step my only concern was her interest. How long would she be content at each stage? Would she ever want to progress to the next thing? Should I encourage her more or just keep offering guidance and opportunity? Knowing she was well within the realm of normal I opted for the latter. I also surrounded her with examples. We've sought out playmates with more gross-motor  skills than Ivy possessed.

Recently she expressed interest in pulling onto her knees.

This meant I'd keep interesting things at that higher level. I also continued putting her onto her feet at elevated surfaces - keeping interesting things up there. But our Ivy was content to only get onto her knees.

Until she spent one morning with a peer who was obsessed with going up the step.

The following weekend, after what I'd assume was half a week of contemplation, she began efforts to conquer the step. It took some work, but now she's a pro - and we need more baby gates!

The influx of kneeling play and step-climbing seemed like a great place to plateau. I was surprised that the two together only lasted about a week and she's moved onto full pulling up!

She stands at everything! Coffee tables, chairs, toys, wobbly tables, you name it - Ivy will stand at it! She  can be sensitive if she feels shaky or insecure at an object, but generally she does pretty well. Last week we'd mastered plopping down without concern, remember I was putting her into a stand? Well I'd wait for her to get down knowing she was able, safe and needed to learn the skill. But with some external encouragement [not naming names!] she now believes she needs help each and every time!

What is most exciting about this burst of development is the motivation aspect. She's intrinsically motivated to keep going. She's considering cruising already. She'll just try it and she wants to be up and moving. It's truly wonderful to watch and be a part of!