Bang-a-machine

Robert loves the dishwasher. Dirty, clean, it doesn't matter. When it's open, he's there pulling the trays in and out, patting the dishes and trying to maneuver stuff out through the grid openings.

This afternoon, he manages to weasel out a wooden spoon. He's quite proud of himself and gives it a long victory chew. Robert also loves to use hand tools. Mostly for banging. He beats the wooden spoon on the racks, the dishwasher door, and then serendipitously hits a metal pot. Bing! He gasps, giggles and does it again. Again and again. He starts bouncing to his beat, then adds vocals. He hits other things for variety and then returns to the pot. Another victory chew for the spoon and he's all smiles. By this time, I've emptied the dishwasher and I need to fill it with dirty dishes. I move the pot to the floor where he can still reach it with his wooden spoon. He bangs it, singing, a little while longer until he notices the bottom rack is full of glass bowls, pyrex pans, and mason jars. He turns and whacks each item in turn, giddy with discovery. Alice joins the fun, too, showing him other things he can hit.

He's getting oh-so-brave with walking, too. He walked down the hall on his own today. He routinely walks across the living room for toys or snuggles. He still needs furniture or people to help him stand up, but then he'll go wherever he pleases. Maybe by spring, he'll earn a pair of real shoes ;)