Independence

It is summer now, so I have the wonderful opportunity to stay at home full time with the babies for a few months.  (I am so thankful for my job at times like this!)  This past week, I have spent many hours playing with the boys, and I find that I have to stop myself from doing things for them.  They are able to do more and more on their own each day, and it is a conscious decision to let them try - whether it's crawling (or rolling) to get a desired toy, pulling to stand, finger feeding, trying to hold their own bottle ; sometimes it is easier for me to just do it for them - like when they are struggling to get to a toy that I could so easily hand to them - but I know that they need those experiences in order to learn new skills and independence.  And, at the same time, mommy needs these experiences in order to learn to let go and give up control of everything! :)  It's funny - I always tell the families that I work with to encourage their kids to do anything they can independently because it helps to build cognitive and adaptive skills, but it sure is hard to put into practice myself!

I love that I am home and can see firsthand something they learn to do - like when Felix picked up a Gerber Puff (I reluctantly say these are the boys' favorite snack) and didn't just hold it in his hand, but put it in his mouth; when Asher systematically emptied the toy basket (by removing each toy or by dumping it) and then experimented by looking at toys through its little window; when Felix learned to independently move from laying down to sitting; when Asher tried to pull to stand like his brother; when I found Felix standing up in his crib for the first time; and when Asher pulled the blanket closer to him so he could reach a toy that was on it.  I feel so blessed to have this time with the boys, and as they learn, I learn from them everyday!

What?  Isn't this how we play with the Exersaucer?

Look what I can do all on my own!