Joaquin Walking

Joaquin began walking just 9 days after his first birthday on November 13th. He and I had just flown 6 hours from NYC to San Francisco. We were at home ready for bed after a long day of traveling and he took four or five steps in the hallway. Each day he has steadily walked more since. Sometimes he looks like a little Frankenstein with his stiff legged steps, but mostly he is the cutest thing I have ever seen.
My mom and I took a hike to Tennessee Valley Beach in Marin County on Wednesday. Joaquin also took his first hike, which we captured here.





This last week he has been a little joy. I took a few lessons from Brenda, the lovely woman who watches him three days a week and from my mom on getting him to stay in his high chair. The tips were 1) no having snacks outside the chair 2) be ready with good foods 3)ignore some of the nonsense. After a bunch of meals carefully orchestrated with serial introductions of new foods to keep him entertained. Decoy spoons and bowls to keep his hands busy. And getting in as much food as fast as possible. And switching from a free standing high chair to one attached to the table. And voila, mealtimes are no longer a struggle. So between easy meals, easy bedtimes, fairly easy naps and his joy at any time we play, the days have been sweet.
We had a little rough spot when he and I first returned from a week in Connecticut. Daniel stayed at home to work. When we returned Joaquin was quite happy to see him, but he was also thrown into despair every time Daniel said goodbye for the next week. Joaquin's world would go still for a moment as he took in Daniel's absence. Then his face would crumple with all points of mouth and eyes turned down while letting loose a plaintiff "wah". He'd add a decidedly dramatic and anguished drop of the head to the table or floor which ever was at his disposal. After about a week of such he seems to feel reassured that Daniel will promptly return from any goodbye. However, if Daniel is home, in the midst of playing he will suddenly remember his papa and head directly for his arms.