Big Boy Walking Shoes

I've been hit in the face this week with exhibit A in the case of Baby Growing Up Too Fast vs. Mommy. Now that Baby Zog has been walking for a bit and seems to have adopted walking as his preferred method of transportation , we decided it was time to get him some big boy walking shoes. So, on Tuesday, Mommy, Baby Zog, and Sitti (it means grandmother) piled in the car and headed to - where else? Stride Rite. I've been told they are the creator of good, supportive, structured shoes for my new walker, so that's where we went. In my mind, we would walk in, have Baby Zog fitted for the typical white baby shoe, pay a small sum, and leave with a happy, walking baby. Hmm...so much for my mind.

I had no idea they had so many styles and categories of shoes! I was actually really impressed with the cuteness of their shoes. Even the basic white shoes have come a long way since I toddled around in them 30 years ago. I also had no idea baby shoes were so expensive. Geez, I can't remember the last time I dropped $50 for a pair of MY shoes! [I should note that Sitti picked up the bill for this inaugural pair. Thank you Sitti!] In the end, we opted for the basic white walking shoes becuase I figured they would go with everything and let's face it, who can afford more than one pair at a time for shoes that have to be replaced every 60-90 days? (If you are the one who can afford it, then clearly YOUR husband did not just quit his job to be a student again.) The nice shoe store lady measured Baby Zog's fat nugget foot, declared him a size 5 1/2 and brought out the wide shoes. He stared at them like they were a foot parasite. We put him down and he was cemented to the floor. Eventually, he took a few huge, Godzilla steps around the store. He's getting more used to them as the days go by which is good becuase he starts his new daycare on Monday and will have to wear them all day then. He'll learn to like them, but my early prediction is that he's going to take after his aunt and always prefer to be barefoot!


Baby Zog inspecting his new kicks.



Baby Zog walking on the deck in his new shoes.


The new shoes make it a little harder for him to cross his ankles - especially when sitting on the floor - but he always finds a way. He's such a proper little man!