The first bruise

I forgot to tell you that Garin got his first bruise/goose-egg yesterday. I guess it was just a matter of time, the way he pushes himself to do new things. He has started trying to get from the couch to the love seat without holding on. He used to always keep one hand on the couch until the other hand hit the love seat (He does laps around the room this way.). Yesterday he let go several times with one hand while the other was still reaching, and they weren't all successful attempts. Once, he whacked his head on the way down. The knot was gone by morning, but he has a little bruise on the side of his forehead to be proud of.

I should also mention that he is becoming a pro at going up the stairs. After watching his friend, Isabella, do them a few times when they visited last week, he started flying up them. He must have taken copious notes. He has learned that this activity garners much attention and has developed a method of stopping every few stairs, turning to look at one or both parents, grinning, and waiting for applause and cheers before continuing. When he reaches the top, I have been trying to show him how to back down. He has absolutely no interest in such an absurd activity. After all, life is about climbing, isn't it?! Who wants to go back down?!

And I am convinced that this child is calling me Mama. I know.....me and every other mother in the world. But he always says it when he needs me, if he's upset or hungry or can't find me. Karl won't commit to an opinion on whether Garin's calling me or just babbling. I can't blame him. I guess we'll have to ask my parents when they come next week....two more totally unbiased opinions! ;o)

One more precious story, ok? We've always said that Harvey stands guard over Garin and watches out for him. Honestly, it's to the point where sometimes Harvey looks at me condescendingly, as if I'm somehow a failure as a parent and am not caring for Garin in a way that meets Harvey's standards. It's embarrassing to admit that I sometimes feel the need to justify myself to a CAT! Anyway, this morning, Garin was crawling on the twin bed in his room. I was right there to catch him, but I have been trying to teach him about heights - that falling happens, that it could hurt. He doesn't seem to get it yet. So I've been letting Garin get right to the edge and start over it before I stop him, and then I help him to the floor in the same way he headed there. That usually means I set him down on his head and help him roll onto his back. Harvey doesn't trust me. This morning he plopped down on the edge of the bed, watching Garin. Then, as soon as Garin started over the edge, just as I reached out to grab him, so did Harvey!!!!!!!! He never, ever has used his claws on Garin, and he never touched Garin's skin this time, but he reached out with both paws and sunk his claws into Garin's shirt and held on for dear life as Garin headed off the bed. I had to unhook them myself to let Garin down. It was crazy...and SO sweet!