Shoes for a Toddler....

If you've ever seen Luke's feet (without shoes on), you'll notice he basically has "block" feet. I think they're as tall as they are wide.

As an infant, I NEVER put shoes on him. When he was born, several people gave us some very cute shoes for him. But, I was NEVER able to physically get them on him. His feet were just weirdly shaped.

So, he spent the first 10 months or so of his life in socks only -- NEVER in shoes. Then, from month 10 to about month 14, he was bare-footed (it was summer). Seriously, I don't think I put one pair of socks or shoes on him at all last summer.

Then, at 14 months, I seriously knew I needed to find him some decent shoes. Fall was upon us, and I knew he needed some warmth.

I managed to find some extra-wide shoes at Payless Shoe Source for him. They got him by through most of the winter.

And, since he was a LATER than normal walker (didn't walk until 16 months), I was able to get him by on the cheap extra-wide shoes.

For this past Christmas, his Grandma Koehn (my mom) bought him a gift card to Little Feet Boutique. For those of you in the Wichita area, this specialty kids' shoe store is located in Wichita at the intersection of Douglas and Oliver -- next to Heads Shoes.

It took me to late February/early March to get there, but I was able to find him some great shoes. I was VERY impressed with the customer service. They measured his foot (which Luke did very well and let them do it). Then, they gave me some recommendations as to which shoes would work well for him. Luke now has a "file" at this shoe store. They keep track of his foot size :)

Here are a couple of photos of Luke in those very shoes I purchased that day -- these photos were actually taken this past Saturday, though.





This morning, I had a mission -- to have Luke and I to travel into Wichita (20 miles or so) and go back to that same shoe store for some summer sandals.

So, when he got up, here's how he came out of his bedroom after I got him dressed....kind of preppy looking today, wouldn't you say?



We went to the shoe store. Nope, I didn't get a single photo of the wonderful little shoe store inside...I was too busy keeping track of Luke running around.

But, his foot had grown 1/2 a size in the last 6 weeks or so. It's now on his "record."

Now, to get off of the subject of Luke's feet for a bit, I'm VERY partial to the Keen brand of shoes.



I bought these shoes for myself in December, 2006. I still wear them frequently. Yes, I LOVE them. I highly recommend them (as I told you yesterday, Rachel B.).

So today, when the salesperson mentioned Keen brand of shoes being able to fit Luke's feet, I jumped on the opportunity.

This is what Luke ended up with -- a pair of Keen shoes AND most importantly, a balloon.



Yes, they cost WAY more than we really want to pay for shoes for a toddler -- at least my Keen shoes will fit me for a long time. Luke will outgrow his by the end of the summer.

But, not many other, less pricey shoes fit Luke....

He just won't have very many pairs of shoes. So, when you see Luke repeatedly this summer, he'll be in the same shoes.

I've been told that little girls MUST have more shoes (that's what I hear anyways). If we ever have a little girl, she better not have such "blockey" feet. Otherwise, she too will only have two pairs of shoes. But, we'll love her regardless :)

And, as a finishing note, Luke ran up and down the sidewalk for a bit after I took that photo. Finally, when I said it was time to leave and I had to pick him up to take him to the car, he was UPSET.

Here's what he looked like when we left....Kind of sad, isn't it?

Oh -- how the smelly blanket saves the day!