Steps

Baby J has learned to walk up steps. With considerable effort and a wary adult spotter behind her, she'll make her way up an entire flight of stairs.

Of all the nifty little things she's taught herself to do, I have to say that this is my least favorite. Earlier today, she climbed up one stair all by herself. I went to get her but arrived just a second too late. She saw me coming and thought it was all a game. With a gleeful, toothless smile, she lunged headfirst off the stair to make her getaway. Needless to say, she didn't get very far.

After five minutes of holding her, rocking her, reassuring her, and distracting her, she finally stopped crying. I put her down and guess where she went.

That's right. The stairs.

You'd think that human beings would develop complimentary skills simultaneously. Going up the stairs is only good if you know how to go down stairs. It really makes you question the evolutionary viability of the human race. But, we've made it this far. I suppose that old adage, what goes up must come down, is something children must learn the hard way.

Baby J clearly learned the hard way today. Hopefully, she'll generalize this rule and find a better way to come down after she's gone up.

Listening To: Orphans by Tom Waits