Bridget's First Shoes

We had a little milestone today. We went out to do errands and Bridey ended up getting her first pair of shoes. (I don't count the ones she's had that were just for decoration, before she was even cruising in them.)

When we got Emma her first pair, it was a big deal finding ones that fit. Bridget's feet are longer (she's 14 months and wears a size 4!) but she doesn't have quite the high instep that Ems and I have so she didn't require Stride Rite shoes for her first pair (luckily for us!)

To backtrack a little, Ems was cranky so we went out. We stopped for lunch (we got an order of hummus with pita and a mango smoothie, and all shared it), then went to the thrift store (I found Jeff a navy blue Hugo Boss suit in excellent shape, the only defect being a name marked on the waistband and inside label, for $10. I also got Ems a pair of Gymboree pants, a Hannah Anderson dress, and a Land's End sweater for when she is a little bigger-- $0.75, $1.99, and $0.49, respectively.) Emma wanted a pair of thongs that she found but they were grody. So I said we'd go to the shoe store (Payless is right there) and look for some. They didn't have thongs in her size but we did find water shoes that fit her (amazingly!) so we got them. While I was there I measured both their feet (Ems is now almost an 8, which is what size we got; she'll need new tennies and church shoes soon, those are both 7.5s) and since Payless was having their BOGO deal (second pair 1/2 off), I decided to look for some for Bridey. I found the cutest little jellies. I know that's not really the recommended first pair of shoes, but I have my reasons. See, I've been observing her, and found that she walks better on firmer surfaces, she hates trying to walk on carpet. So I surmised that she might need a firmer sole. And it's so hot and she hates socks, I wanted to get her some sandals. But the leather ones would just get completely scuffed up if she decided to crawl around in them. So jellies were perfect-- no scuffing. Anyway, with tax my total was a little more than $12 for the two pair, not nearly so bad as Emma's first shoes!

I put them on her in the stroller and she spent an hour shaking her head no, grunting, and trying to pull them off. When she was resigned to them (and after a cup or two of apple juice/water and a snack) we headed to the park. She was thrilled to finally be let down to play at the park! (Our rule is no babies on the ground outdoors until said babies wear shoes.) She promptly sat down and tried to pull the shoes off, but being unable to do so, decided to stand up and try them out. So she took a few hesitant steps, fell down, did it again, but in a few minutes got used to them-- and went crazy walking around! Apparently the shoes were exactly what she needed for a little extra stability. They have vastly improved her walking. (Goes to show that the experts don't quite know everything about baby shoes, I've read so many times that flexible soles will help baby walk. Every baby is different! I'm glad I'm confident enough to trust my gut where my gut differs from the experts' advice.)

And she looks so cute walking around in her little shoes! Now I can't WAIT to see them in their matching swim suits...