Guess # 731,998 Why Nate isn’t Walking…
He’s learning other skills?
This is the common guess of those people who ask, “Really? Your child is older sixteen months? Not walking? Really? The other siblings walked at 10, 11, and 12 months, respectively? Well, maybe HE is working on other skills.”
Hmmm. Like talking? Not really.
I mean, don’t get me wrong. Nate has mastered the PERFECT whine of “Mommmmyyyy!” Seriously, if there was a four-year-old imitating contest, Nate would win hands-down in his age group. It’s uncanny. He actually is a good imitator of most words. His brother and sisters say a word, and Nate imitates it. Pretty well. It’s hours of fun for the whole family.
He’s learning about our household.
It’s, as expected, a busy place. Okay, a chaotic place. With so many little people, there’s lots of instructions flying around, lots of patterns, lots of schedules, lots of organization, lots of rhythm. Nate spends most of his time watching all of us rushing around. “Sam! Where are your pants? Elisabeth! Drink your milk at the table! Catie! Comb your hair! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!”
Our household now, compared to when we had a first child, like Catie, is so busy. Every space is filled with someone doing THEIR thing somewhere. Catie’s environment was calm, sterile, quiet. She led the action. She created the schedule. There wasn’t nearly as much to learn.
And Nate IS learning our schedule. Even though his walking and talking skills are not, um, great, he has mastered the rhythm of the Hergenrader house. He follows the rules pretty well, too. He is wise beyond his months about what we’re doing next.
So, that’s my latest theory. Holes? Yes, lots.
But today, when we’re past Nate’s SIXTEEN MONTH birthday, it’s my best guess about what’s up with this little guy.
Your guess?
