Mr. Independence

I get these little flashes every so often when I am with Fionn....these little nanoseconds in which he seems more like a little boy than a baby. And I realize with a sudden jolt that my Fionny is growing up.

One of these moments happened just today as I watched Fionn figure out how to place his plastic stacking rings back on their holder for the first time. Witnessing these little milestones, observing him as he figures things out for the very first time...it is breathtaking sometimes.

Another such moment happened a few weeks ago as Fionn struggled to figure out how to get his cherished snacks (Veggie Sticks) out of his new Snack Catcher container, created by the lovely folks at Munchkin.

Now, as we all know, my boy loves his snacks. He can put away Puffs, Cheerios, and pretzels along with the best of 'em. But until recently, Fionn was accustomed to said snacks being lined up on the tray of his high chair or Exersaucer -- real easy-peasy.

Then Mommy introduced the Snack Catcher container. And everything changed. The world shifted a bit on its axis for our dear boy. A cup FULL of snacks that Mommy lets me carry around? thought my boy. Tres bien!

There was just one problem. Sweet Fionn could not figure out how to get his chubby little digits through the opening in the top of Snack Catcher so that he could extract his beloved snacks. Oh, the frustration of it all. Folks, lemme tell ya. It was not a pretty scene at the Crimmins household for the good part of an hour as Fionn carried around his snack cup, smashing it into the floor every so often, and whining to Mommy to assist in his fruitless snacking endeavor.

Trying desperately to be a good Mommy, I tried to teach Fionny how to fish instead of just handing him the dang fish. I would place my hand over his, showing him how to reach through the flaps in the top of the cup in order to grab the snacks which waited beyond. As soon as his fat little fingers made contact with the Veggie Sticks, a sly smile would erupt across the face of my boy. Aha! Success! But then, as soon as the last morsel of Veggie Stick passed through his lips, frustration would set in again.

Until...this moment.


This was the moment when it all came together for Fionn. That look on his face is one of pride and accomplishment. It's the look of a kid whose fingers just touched down on some salty junk food. And he did it...all by himself.