Defying Gravity: More complicated than you’d think

Nigel (two and three-quarters) stands on the bottom step and leaps into the void. And lands on the hall floor, laughing. “I’m JUMPING! I JUMPED!” And does it again. And again. And again.

Timmy (two and two months) stands on the bottom step and … takes a large, sort of bouncing step forward. Lands on one foot; the second foot lands a split-second later. “I JUMPIN! I JUMP!!!” Well, almost …

Emily (two and no months) stands on the bottom step, coils to spring, and … pauses. Then re-coils, bends her knees, and … pauses. Coils once more, bends her knees, draws her elbows up high and tight so they jut out behind her tubby body, and … pauses. Then steps down onto the hall floor, jumps three times in quick succession — thud! thud! thud! — and makes for the dining room at a run.

Which is an improvement. Let us flash back three months:

Emily stands, both feet on the floor, coiled to spring. She bends her knees, tucks in her elbows, sticks her padded butt out, and, and, and — STANDS UP!!

Hmmm… not what she was after. She bends her knees, tucks in her elbows, sticks her padded butt out, and, and, and — STANDS UP!! And swings her hands above her head!! (Well, her fingertips clear her head. The rest of her hands are in the range of her ears. But this is as far has her arms GO.)

Let’s try that again. She bends her knees, tucks in her elbows, sticks her padded butt out, and, and, and — STANDS UP!! And swings her hands “above” her head, AND … LIFTS ONE FOOT OFF THE FLOOR!!

“I DZOMP! MAHWEE! I DZOMPIN”!!!”

So you are, sweetie. So you are.