February 19, 2003
Small strides bring about big changes
By GARRET LEIVA
Herald editor
Children constantly take steps to ensure that the lives of their parents are never the same. Even the smallest of strides can bring about big changes.
Tired of watching life go by, our 11-month-old has become self-propelled. While Ella is on her hands and knees, we're the ones who don't stand a chance. Toddler-dom is only a wobbly knee step away.
For the longest time, it appeared that crawling was beneath our baby. Instead she would scoot, slide, or shimmy to her desired destination. Evidently only the dog would stoop to the level of using down on all fours drive.
However, her biped elitism attitude took a turn this weekend - and several straight lines across the living room floor.
While her sideways crawling style may be a bit unorthodox, it provides a mode of transportation. It also cleans hardwood floors with the right pair of pants. Thankfully her crawl only has one gear; although any day she might kick into overdrive.
With this monumental step, there is a new outlook on life at the Leiva house. What was once out of reach is now readily available. Ella has tried to grasp the reality of floor lamps, magazine racks and speaker stands much to our chagrin. Even the dust bunnies cowering under the curio cabinet are not safe.
While the electrical outlets are covered, Ella's ability to run amok is shocking.
Basically if it isn't bolted down, it's fair game. Newspapers, rugs, slippers - nothing stays put on the floor while Ella is on the move. Out of sight no longer applies to objects still on her mind, not when you have the means to find the TV remote.
No wonder why valuables occupy the highest shelf space in the house. This way a child's curiosity can't overreach his arm length.
Naturally, Ella has taken other steps away from infant and toward toddler. Our fingers have helped her do the walking for the last month. This past Sunday, we turned more laps around the living room than Michael Waltrip did at the Daytona 500. I even posted a 12 second Huggies pit stop.
Almost a year ago, Ella entered our world and life has not been the same. Every day is a new step: crawling, talking, eating, sleeping before midnight. However, all these verbs require one difficult step - letting go. Today she is crawling toward you, tomorrow she is running off to college.
Small strides or large leaps, I plan on being there every step of the way.
Grand Traverse Herald editor Garret Leiva can be reached at 933-1416 or e-mail gleiva@gtherald.com