Today after Amy’s nap we decided to make a family trip down to the library to get some books out for the kids (and their dad). Elliot initially said he wanted to come, but as we were getting ready he changed his mind. I didn’t feel like staying home, so I convinced him to come. I told him we wouldn’t be long, and that I’d carry him for a bit if he was tired. There were some minor tears, but he came somewhat willingly. He waited on the front steps for me while I finished getting ready, and as soon as I was out the door he asked me to pick him up. I did, but I told him I couldn’t carry him the whole way. We literally had gone two steps when he said “down, down!”. And off he went. He pretty much ran the whole way to the library, and never once asked to be picked up.
This has been the trend lately, and it has made life a lot easier when we’re out. He was definitely a stroller/carry me kind of toddler, and he hadn’t grown out of that when Amy was born. We didn’t get a double stroller, so we’ve had many a battle over who should be going in the stroller. We were making headway before we went to New Zealand in February, but once there he seemed perpetually tired, and he got carried a lot. Throughout the summer there was still a lot of carrying happening. But over the last couple of months things have changed, and I love to see him skipping, splashing through puddles, and doing his funny runs.
But now I have to figure out how to get my arm workouts in. Although Amy’s over 27 pounds so that might do the trick.