Grass Stains

Kerrington, today I took you outside and set you on the grass.  You've been outside before, of course, but you've always been carried -- a bundled little entity, one swaddled or wrapped or hung in the crook of my elbow in your increasingly-weighty car seat carrier.  Today, however, you were set directly on the grass that prickled your fingers in its still winter-rough, dormant state.

You immediately set off exploring.  You wrapped your fingers around a fallen leaf and, as is your style, tried to eat it.  Brooke yelled.  I reached my fingers into your mouth, pulled out the soggy clump, and flicked it aside. 

Undeterred, you crawled to the side yard directly for the rocks.


Grabbing one rock in each hand, you sat up and tapped them together.  You concentrated intently for several moments, banging them against each other with greater force as if you were trying to start a fire by hammering flint.


No sparks appeared.  You reverted to your old habits and drew the rock to your mouth.


I don't think you enjoyed it as much as the leaf.


My little one, you got your first grass stains on your knees today. 

When you confidence increased and you ventured farther away, you reached a slight hill.  Your hands slipped from underneath you and your head dipped into the grass face-first.  You rolled and then regained your position, stretching your arms and legs out like a person seeking safety on thin ice.

You've never navigated uneven terrain before.  It won't be the last time, and you handled yourself well today.

When we returned inside after playtime, I propped you on my hip and carried you upstairs for your nap.  You smiled at me.  I removed the woodchip that you had so cleverly hidden underneath your tongue, held you close, and then set you down, my little grass-stained baby.

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6 comments

  1. Brilliant writing, and fabulous story!

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  2. Awww this is adorable. We will take Sophie on her first camping trips this year. She'll be just about 9 months for her first one! She'll be picking up EVERYTHING to put into her mouth! Ugh, wish me luck

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  3. You make me yearn for this age again. I loved every moment of it. Of course, I love every moment of 4 going on 5, but there's something about the crawling and waddling stage that's so precious. Thank you for letting me relive that time through your stories.

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  4. My son is nearly 4 months old...I am looking forward to this stage. Even if it means I'm picking out woodchips out of his mouth. I do it with my dogs, why not him?? :-)

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  5. Just perfect.

    I love the pictures!

    Kerrington, you are the queen of the outdoors!

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  6. Ok, I am guessing TalkFlaunt is one of my husband's technogeek Google accounts. Sorry about that. But pretend that comment came under my name. :)

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