Still not crawling?

This is a question I am being asked at least once a day.  So is he crawling yet?  And the answer is still no.  Whats more, I don't expect this to change any time soon.

There is nothing physically wrong with Dylan, he was sitting up and rolling at 5 months and is a perfectly happy and healthy 9 month old boy.   He just hasn't found anything worth moving for!  I have tried a little light encouragement- putting toys and/or dangerous objects just out of reach to see if he is tempted but after a little stretch and a little whinge he settles with playing with the closest toys.  And if there are no toys in reach? he says what the hell, and plays with his feet. 

I think his cloth nappies are partly to blame, not in that they limit his movement but they must make sitting on your bum that bit more comfy!  A lovely padded soft cushion that just follows you around, why would you want to move on your barely covered knees?  He is not a small baby and there is quite a lot of him to carry around, (trust me my poor arms know) so maybe he has decided it is a lot less stressful to just sit.

He is an incredibly content baby.  I see other's his age with obvious frustration that they cannot navigate the room, while Dylan sits there just watching them. Others are dragging themselves, pulling the carpet, wriggling and doing everything in their power to reach the other side of the room and he can just sit all day and be entertained.  

Second time parents tell me to enjoy this phase as once they are on the move everything changes. No more drinking my tea on the sofa first thing in the morning while the baby sits and plays, I will be chasing him round the house protecting my poor belongings.  They tell me every baby crawls and walks at some stage so not to worry.  And I am not worrying.  I love how easy it is and how content he can be, but I am asked daily 'so is he crawling yet?' 

Dylan has recently taken the first step in his learning to crawl journey - he will spend time on his front.  In fact, he is actually choosing to spend time on his front for the first time!  He will roll onto his front when he is playing and stay there for much longer than the 2 second record he previously held!  I come into his room in the morning and sometimes find him on his front in the cot!  I am impressed with his sudden decision that actually life on your tummy isn't that bad, and don't think it will be long before he realises he may be able to get somewhere like this.

But I would almost rather he didn't.  Well not quite yet anyway, because for now he is still my baby.  That dependant little creature, who relies on me for everything, who still isn't crawling.  Crawling gives them that extra independence, more choice with what they can play with and what they can explore.  It is also usually followed by walking, and then my little baby becomes a toddler.  They really do grow up too fast!

When did your child start to crawl, and did it worry you?