Climbing

Our house is two-storey. We live primarily on the top level, the bottom being my studio and office. Since Rio started to walk and in turn climb, we've had to gradually teach her how to get up and down the stairs - so she can do it herself, safely. She's not quite there yet but watching her natural instincts up and down the stairs is just magnificent. She'll take a confident step down with one foot, then her little hands will search for something close to grasp onto. Sometimes it's me; the handrail; the timber posts. Then, she'll have the anchor to project the other leg down to the step, next to the other. And the process begins again.

It's time consuming, sometimes frustrating when we are rushed, but knowing that soon she'll be able to get herself up and down the stairs, knowing she'll be safe as she does so, it's worth every small, slow step.