The older my children get, the more I recognize their unique personalities. Even with the same gene lottery, and the same parents raising them, they have vastly different motivations and personalities.
This is especially apparent as my children have learned to walk.
My oldest was the typical first child - he had lots of attention and encouragement from family members because he was literally the only toddler to pay attention to. He walked a few days after his first birthday, right on what this first time mom considered “on time.”
My daughter just wanted to be like her big brother. At the ripe age of 9 months, she was pulling to standing and ready to go chase her brother! Her personality was evident right way: she was willing to fall, the faster the better, in order to learn how to walk. She was running by 11 months old!
My third baby, is totally different. He is reserved and cautious: he does his own thing. He watches his older siblings run and jump and play but he is content to be his own little man and not compete with them.
At 18 months old, he still refused to take unassisted steps, even though he could easily cruise with mom or dad’s hand. But the instant you let go, he sat down. No wobbling, testing, trying a step – he sat down immediately. Can we say a little stubborn? NO amount of bribing, cajoling, or encouraging could get him to take a few steps forward.
Being third time parents, we weren’t overly worried, and knew him enough to leave him to his own timeline. At 19 months, I saw him sneak a few steps when no one was watching. It was like he didn’t want to fall down, ever, and he wasn’t going to walk unto he was sure he could do it. And once he realized he could do it, he suddenly took off as a walker!
He basically learned how to walk without ever falling down... which is crazy, but also very telling of his personality (pray for me when he hits the teenage years!).
My personal rule is that I don’t bother to put shoes on my kids until they are walking, cause they seem kind of useless before that. The problem is that once they start to learn, they’ve been barefoot so long that hard-soled shoes are totally foreign and clunky. Especially with him walking so late, I wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible, in case there really was a developmental issue there.
Enter Freshly Picked Moccasins – these leather shoes are perfect for new and learning walkers! Their soft soles provide just the right amount of support as they learn, but don’t impede the process.
Freshly Picked Moccasins are high-quality leather moccasins, that are both cute and functional. With my other kids, I was also frustrated that shoes were either adorable and uncomfortable, or functional but not at all cute (Velcro straps, licensed characters, or light up tennis? Yuck!) Finally, on my third baby, I found what I’ve been wanting all along in Freshly Picked– well-made, classic shoes that they can literally wear with everything.
The way the moccasins go on is ingenious- there’s a hidden elastic that makes it easy to put on but hard for babies to take off! I’ve lost enough shoes with my other babies to appreciate this functionality immensely. I love that the moccasins mold and conform to my baby’s foot, making them a custom fit.
Basically, Freshly Picked moccasins are the perfect shoe for new walkers. My little guy adores them - he is constantly finding them in his room and bringing them out to me to put them on him. I'm sure he would be saying "outside" if he could talk, but that's our next milestone. 🙂
These are the "new walker" photos I took to commemorate his new skill, and you can see his moccasins are a big part of his life at 20-months-old!
Isn't that the cutest? Life with a 20-month-old is endless peekaboo games, I tell you.
See that little FP logo on the bottom of the shoe? Adorable.
We’ve already had these a month, and they are our favorite soft-soled shoe I've ever owned for any of my children. They are such a classic, good-looking silhouette that he even wore them last week in our family pictures!
I love these moccasins so much, I want to give a pair away! Head over to Freshly Picked to ogle the options - I know that family pictures are coming up for you too, and these are perfect for your baby or toddler to wear!
Enter here: Winner can choose soft-soled moccasins in the size/color of their choice. US Shipping only, or winner pays international shipping. Winner cannot have won a pair of Freshly Picked moccasins in the last 60 days.
Disclosure: I was provided with a pair of moccasins for this review, but all opinions and photos are my own.
Becca says
I love the pictures you took of your little guy. And the lighting looks awesome! I've heard great things about these shoes. I'd love to win some because they're a little out of my budget 🙂
Marsali says
I love the picture of the FP logo on the sole of the moccasins! I've seen these moccasins before, but never knew what the bottoms of the shoes looked like. So cute!
Stacie says
These look great! They'd be perfect for my baby!
Rachel says
My favorite picture on this post is your little guy sitting on your lap because It captures a sweet moment during your day.
valerie sobus says
first of all, as a fellow photographer, i think all of these photos are beautiful 🙂 my personal favorite is the one that is 2 up from the bottom....where your little one's food is raised/mid step onto your quilt (which is also beautiful lol). i just love the natural light pouring in from the window, the action that is captured and the angle/depth of field -- and i'm with you on the 'no shoes before walking' rule. makes sense to me too !
Meg says
Thanks Valerie! I appreciate your comment from a fellow photographer!
Stephanie says
I like the picture where he's up on his tip toes. So cute. I'd love to win these for my baby. She's going to live in moccasins for a while!
Anel says
I love two pictures: the one where he is hiding behind the giant book, and the second is the one where is on top of the couch and you can see the FP Moccs. I like the first one because I love books, and so does my kiddo, so it reminds me of him. I like the second picture because I like the blanket that's o the couch, and it shows the Moccs really well!
Audrey G. says
The picture holding his hand is my favorite- so sweet! I love it!
courtney says
I like the detailed shot of him standing up on the quilt thats laying on the back of the couch!
Alicia says
I have a feeling my little boy is going to be a very late walker. He just doesn't seem interested at all. Haha. That picture of him looking under the book is my favorite!
Meg says
Yeah... but the beauty of late walking is that you can corral them longer at church 🙂
Sarah says
I love the picture of him reading the book! That kind of shot is so precious to look back on when children are older.
Meg says
That book is his FAVORITE! It's the one he always gets off the shelf first. He loves it!
Tiffany says
I love Freshly Picked! I loved her on Shark Tank too 🙂
Meg says
RIght?? I know, her Shark Tank appearance was fun to watch.
Tracie says
I love the climbing the couch to look out the window one!
Ashley says
All my girls were slow walkers! Which I totally didn't mind as i didn't have to chase a toddler around relief society.
Meg says
I'm totally with ya! He actually did a month in nursery as a non-walker. I think he helped him get the bravery to do it though, when he realized he was missed out on the fun.
Jan says
Cute walker! Cute moccs!
Susan Sharp says
Love the picture of y'all holding hands. It's so sweet! ?
Penny Phillips says
I like the picture where he has the book on his head. He's adorable in all of them.
Stacy Spain says
Your little guy couldn't even be anymore cuter! I love every single picture of him! He looks so proud of hisself that he's learned to walk! So cute ❤️
Meg says
Awwww, thanks Stacy!
Ginger Wroot says
Your photos are marvelous! Have you seen the Bobux brand of shoes? They're similar to the ones featured here. Both of my toddlers wore out several pairs and loved them--neither of them really wanted to wear "real" shoes with thicker soles because their Bobux moccasins were so much more comfortable!
-G
Meg says
I haven't seen those, but I love Freshly Picked too much to try anything else. These are the right shoes for us right now!
lynn brannen says
I liked the photo of him walking in his comfortable looking shoes.
Stephanie says
What a sweet little boy, and these pictures are just wonderful!
Birdiebee says
I love the first picture as the little boy looks so happy running in his Freshly Picked Moccasins.
Cynthia B says
It's nearly impossible to pick a favorite picture in this post! I love the one of the detail of the shoe and the book. Something about the picture captures how little your guy still is. I also love the one of your hands.
Meg says
I have a soft spot for that one too. 🙂
renee says
The last one because he seems to happy to be moving...unstoppable!
jules m. says
the pic of you holding hands is precious!
Chelsey L. says
I love the one where he has the book on his head! It seems so natural and he seems so happy!
Meg says
He is one happy kid! And he truly loves that book.
Kristen says
I like the photo in which he's standing on the sofa looking back at the camera....so cute!
Amy says
I love the picture of your son sitting there reading his book...such a cute picture...and great to see he loves books and reading...
Meg says
We are huge readers at our house! I think he can tell it matters to us, and therefore it matters to him too.
KC says
The picture of him standing with the picture frames behind him. It's like he's saying. "I'm the man! I got this!"
Meg says
I know! I had to keep that one in - he looks so proud of himself!
Carissa joslyn says
I really like the 15th picture, of him standing on the couch stepping to the window. shows how soft and flexible aka comfy they are !
Nancy says
My favorite pictures is the one where he is looking at a book, because I love books and reading.
Annmarie W. says
I love the picture of you & he holding hands! It shows so much love!
Deborah says
All of the pictures are so cute, but my favorite is the first one because he looks so darn happy!
Lisa says
My favorite picture is the hands. Because I love holding my daughter's hand and you captured it perfectly!
Anne says
I love the photo of him standing on the couch. The natural light from the windoe makes the photo pop.
Jennifer Clay says
I really like the third picture from the bottom, where he is standing with is feet apart. I think it is sooo cute!
mickeyfan says
He looks so cute holding the book over his head.
Leigh Anne says
The third picture would be my favorite. I like this picture because I think ti shows his thinking in a way. he is looking at his feet wondering how did this happen')
Missy says
love THE LAST PIC WHEN HE'S MOVIN. lOOKS SO HAPPY:)
Lynne says
I really like that last pic where you have caught him in mid-step. That takes skill! Bonus points for the big smile!
Angela Saver says
My favorite picture is the one of the two of you holding hands because I think it's really sweet holding hands with you!
stephanie says
I love the 5th picture from the top! It almost looks like he's about to "bust a move." So cute!
Kimberly says
I like the picture with the book over his head. That is a handsome and devilish smirk. 🙂
Stacey Roberson says
I love the picture of him reading. So cute to see little guy's reading and creating their own story.
Sue says
My fave pic is where your son is looking at the big book because I love seeing a baby interested in books. My granddaughter will be 2 next month and she loves books. My daughter reads to her daily. These moccasins are so cute. Thank you for the chance 🙂
deanna says
My favorite picture is the second from the bottom. Those moccs and that blanket are so cute!
bebewellness.com says
I really love your picture. It makes me cry when my baby learned to walk. Where can we buy those cute shoes??