Toddler Shoes

It has been a year now since Leo decided to stand up and take those very first wobbly steps. I still find it so surreal that the little baby I brought home from hospital a little over 2 years ago is now a walking, talking little monster.

One thing I have always struggled with since Leo decided to get all grown up on me is finding shoes to fit his rather large feet. Right from his very first fitting this has always been a challenge, and in those early days I wanted nothing but Clarks shoes touching his precious little feet. We very rarely put shoes on Leo as a teeny tiny baby because I really couldn't see the point in doing so, and his very first pair of shoes came along just after he started to walk. 

I can remember Leo wondering what on earth was on his feet and it did take him a little while to get used to wearing shoes when we were out and about, but picking a pair that fitted him perfectly and were comfortable for him made all the difference. 

I still go to Clarks today to get Leo's feet measured, we still really struggle to find shoes that are in his size and usually either have to pick a design that we wouldn't have other wise chosen just because that is the only size they have for him, or go elsewhere. 

I have recently discovered that I can order Clarks shoes through John Lewis after I have been in and got Leo's feet measured, they have so much more choice than we are used to getting in store!

Having this extra choice online makes so much difference to us as we can actually pick a design that we WANT, not just because that is all they have... I really wish I had got online sooner rather than later and put an end to all of our shoe hunt missions. I cannot even begin to describe how I have struggled to find Leo a pair of sandals this summer, I have been into every shop on the high street and not managed to find a single pair in Leo's size. 

I should have thought to hop online and have a look, but the impatient person inside of me wanted the old fashioned experience of actually going into a shop.. Needs must though, and until Leo's feet decide to even out a little bit then we will be found doing all of his shoe shopping online.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post

The VTech Winnie The Pooh Walker Review

Leo recently discovered his little feet were made for walking, and one day back in July he suddenly took off. There was no real warning, he just did it. Daddy and I had been encouraging Leo for months, we stood him up and offered him his favourite toy's that were just that little bit out of his reach. 

There was of course another aid in Leo's first steps...

Around Christmas I came across the VTech Winnie The Pooh Walker on the Toys R Us website, retailing at £31.99 and it looked great. I knew that Leo would love it to aid him in achieving his New Year's resolution: Learning to walk. Without a second thought I added it to Leo's already bulging Christmas list. 

As luck would have it, Santa brought Leo his shiny new walker. I was so surprised to see it there underneath the Christmas Tree! Leo really must have been a good boy!

Christmas day had arrived and Leo finally had all his gifts delivered to him, One of the first one's Leo tentatively opened was his new Winnie The Pooh Walker. Daddy set it up for him in no time at all. The assembly was very simple, and if you are in any doubt at all there are easy to follow instructions enclosed in the box. I wont lie...Daddy did have to read them. He will tell you otherwise however.

When the walker was set up and ready, I was instantly impressed with the sturdiness. I pushed down on the handle bar to see if the walker would give out and tip backwards, but this was not the case. It was perfect for Leo to learn to pull himself up to standing against, without the added fear that it could tip back at any point. 

The VTech walker is suitable from 6 months old. I am not saying that Leo was anywhere near walking at this age, but it is great to have for when they do show an interest in pulling themselves up to standing, and then of course when they want to walk along with an aid. 

Even before Leo was interested in standing against it, the activity centre on the front can be detached so that baby can play with it on the floor. Leo was sitting up at 6 months and thoroughly enjoyed sitting there playing. 

The learning centre features many different activities, from Shapes and light-up musical keys that introduce baby to letters, words, numbers, animals and colours. There are some really lovely songs and melodies sung by Winnie The Pooh himself as he goes about his day to day business of finding some Honey!

There are Two different settings to the activity centre and many different aspects for baby to activate to make a special sound. The moving butterfly, discs and rollers kept Leo entertained and as he succeeded in moving the objects, he was rewarded with special sounds, songs and lights. 

By 8 months old Leo was besotted with his walker, and it was around this age that he began to really use it for it's intended purpose. Walking. Daddy and I always stood Leo up against the walker as he found it a little hard to reach the handle for a short while, despite him being able to pull himself up along the furniture. Then one day, Leo pulled himself up against the walker and looked so proud of himself. In the next breath, Leo was slowly taking his first aided steps with the walker.

Leo could not steer the walker and soon found solid objects that got in his way, he decided that by shouting at them they would just magically move out of his way. Or Mummy would move them for him so he could continue cruising around the room.

I felt so proud seeing Leo putting one foot in front of the other and using his walker. Leo also felt the same level of achievement, judging by the victory crawl he completed after he let go of the walker. I cheered Leo on and within a few seconds he was back up against his walker going for round Two!

The walker aided Leo's strength and gave him the confidence to walk. I have been so impressed with the VTech Winnie The Pooh Walker and highly recommend it for parent's of little one's who want to find their confidence and build up their little legs, ready for those first steps.

The only point I will make is that in those very early days when a baby is learning to use the walker, the wheels can roll a little to quickly, and make baby run before they can walk. Leo soon mastered the speed and could quite happily run along with it. 

What I really love about this walker is the bright colours and Winnie The Pooh design. I have found myself singing along with Pooh Bear on many occasions. It has defiantly served it's purpose in our house and Leo is now walking independently like a little super star! 

Pitter, Patter...

Just yesterday Leo stood up against his walker all by himself and slowly but surely took a few un-sure steps. He grew more confident as he repeated the pattern of putting one foot forward, one after another. He walked from one end of the room to the other with just his walker for balance and reassurance.

When he sat down after accomplishing his finest aided walk yet, he looked around only to be greeted with a round of applause and a standing ovation. Leo looked so impressed with himself and knew he had done something amazing.

He was cheered on by Granny and I and this only seemed to spur him on, positive energy feeds positive actions.

Once he had calmed down from all the excitement and stopped crawling the lengths of the room in what seemed to be a victory lap, he attempted it all over again. With each attempt he used his little feet to get him on the move. He put one little foot in front of the other and off he plodded...

Pitter pattering on those little feet...

With each attempt he went that little bit further, guided only by me pushing his walker out of the way of stationary obstacles....steering is something that he has not yet mastered, but one thing at a time!

He successfully plodded from one end of the living room and out into the hall. Only to abandon his walker there and then...In an attempt to climb the stairs.

This was such an un-expected shock. He has been walking a few steps up until now but never like this. A switch seems to have flicked and turned his determination up a notch or Two. Maybe Leo will be on his feet and walking at some point in the next few months?

At 10 months old, I am really impressed and so proud of him. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next few months!

Did you notice that Leo walked the walk in his much loved Slugs & Snails - Boy Tights?

Maybe he will be walking before I return to work!?

When did your little one's learn to walk?

Laura

xx