Ready... Set... GO!!

Check out his work boots!

Jacob has been working on his crawling skills for quite some time. I have insisted for the last 3 months that he would be crawling "any day now!" Looking back, I still feel justified in my assessment of his progress, even if he did not crawl nearly as soon as I thought. He started rolling back-to-belly at only 16 weeks, and he always had great head and neck control. When he started to sit on his own at 5 1/2 my expectations for his impending mobility were soaring! By July he had mastered the "cobra pose" (see below). My easy going dude practices yoga to be more relaxed and centered.... haha.

cobra pose

Jacob then was able to balance on all fours, and started rocking back and forth by late August. By early September, he was propping himself up on all fours, spinning 360 deg when on his belly, and also did a little "booty skooching" backwards across the floor. Also by this time, he was spending about 50% of his play time b-i-t-c-h-ing (I can't help it, I always spell "naughty" words now) because he was frustrated that he couldn't get to where he wanted to go. 

We tried everything to help him get crawling. We tried to entice him with his favorite toys and even built nice tall stacks of blocks for him to come knock over. No luck. We bribed him with binkies placed just out of his reach. Still no luck. Jennie even pitched in, and regularly crawled around the living room cheering him on, "Come on Jakie, crawl like me!" No luck. Jacob had even progressed in his yoga practice to expertly doing "downward dog" (see below), but still no crawling! 

downward dog pose

As the weeks dragged on, the poor kid was frustrated and so were we! People kept asking, Why do you want him to crawl? Isn't it easier when he can't get around?" And honestly, I just wanted his crabbing to stop. His only mobility-frustration relief was in the jumperoo, and even that was losing its appeal. Now I know I shouldn't have been laughing at his plight, but it was rather comical to watch him desperately trying to get to a toy or something. He'd prop up on all fours, and get a giddy little smile on his face like he knew he was on the right track (see above pick... that's the face). Then, one hand would go up, then back down. One leg would move a centimeter forward and stop. Then he'd get over excited and both legs would pop out. Jacob-the-beached-whale would then flail his arms and pump his legs while yelling in frustration and stretching out frantically with one hand toward the unreachable toy.

Then FINALLY, Wednesday October 3 I had a eureka moment. It suddenly hit me how I could get Jacob to crawl.... (watch the video clip below):

 

So, yeah, don't judge. I totally got my kid to crawl by setting out food on the floor. I love how he looks like Bambi on ice trying to get there! But, no matter what it was that got him going, he is now going! Here is a clip of him really "going the distance." I especially like how Jennie chimes in and asks for some of his Cheerios, and then gives him a "congrats" hug afterwards.

And of course, now that Jake is crawling, he is excited to move on to the next thing:

WALKING!