Red is officially “launching” off furniture to try and take steps. The farthest he’s gotten is 3 steps from the coffee table and then falling into my lap, but hey – that’s great for me! (I can wait a little longer for him to walk. It means he’ll just get faster and more into things, which I can’t believe would be more than it is. Have you seen how fast this kid can crawl?!)
Nonna visited this week for Red’s first birthday and party, so we went to get some “first shoes” courtesy of T, my dad. We went to the nearest Stride Rite. I remember getting my shoes here as a kid, and for sure remember getting my brother’s first shoes here, as well. That was 25 years ago!
They had lots and lots of shoes, but we visited the shelves that housed the pre-walker shoes and first steps shoes.
T asked us to look for shoes that were “old fashioned” white shoes. When I was a baby, these shoes were rock hard with flat hard soles. Doctors and pediatricians at this time thought it helped the baby to put a flat foot on the ground. What pediatricians now know is that an incredibly flexible sole and enough room to wiggle and flex toes is necessary to create a well formed foot and helps baby learn natural balance while gripping the floor. Thankfully, Stride Rite has listened to modern medicine and offers a white lace-up sneaker that has the visual appeal of the old fashioned white boot shoe.
The other little sneaker is a velcro shoe featuring cookie monster. I would have voted for the easy-on and off shoe, but T was the purchaser through Nonna, so we went with his vote. Red thought he was hot stuff getting measured, at a whopping 5.5 WIDE shoe. He’s only one year old…… right?! Size 6 is the last size offered in the Stage 2 shoes. Gulp.
Turns out, after your baby starts to walk, the fatty pads in their feet start to lessen and the foot bones start to lengthen out and take proper shape in the foot. If this little guys’ foot flattens out faster than we anticipate, we’ll be shooting up in shoe size before we know it. (I bought a little larger size anyway, at the clerk’s recommendation). Arches don’t even develop until near age 2.
Nonna begged and pleaded to buy Red some shoe bells, which house baby’s shoelaces. They are absolutely a &^(@*R#*$%$ to put on, but they are really cute. …To be worn on special occasions, or when Red is conked out. Otherwise, I’ll find some vintage shoe biters from the 80s.
Nonna was really happy with the purchase, and so were we! Now Red is fashionable from head to toe. I received no compensation or product from Stride Rite, but maybe they’ll host a giveaway with us and you, the readers, will have a chance at a winning!
How old were your little ones when they started to take first steps?
I know each baby walks in their own time, but Leave me a comment!
i’m trying to find shoe bells for my great granddaughter and i was wondering if you sold them and what is the cost . would you please get back with me thank you very much
They are strangely hard to find right now. Even Amazon isn’t in stock. When they have then, you can find them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CMRRQO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007CMRRQO&linkCode=as2&tag=redbabmam-20&linkId=G4F2NBGKD64AOTEP Keep checking back! I’m keeping mine for my daughter!
Finally found some today. http://www.striderite.com/en/lace-keepers/24473Z.html
Samantha
Please help me find the shoelace bells I must ha e them for my grandbaby ,I’ve searched and searched!!
Hi! I looked everywhere online and I can’t find them at all! Stride Rite carried them until they went out of business… you may have to stalk ebay or set an alert. I hope you find some!