I remember when Kellen was a baby anticipating every milestone, even encouraging them. I actually got down on the floor with him to try to "show" him how to crawl. I don't think it made him crawl any sooner. I never felt that way with the rest of the kids. In fact, if anything I wanted them to stay babies as long as possible. I never tried to teach them the milestone events, and they happened in a natural progression. In fact #3 was the earliest to walk (so far) at 10 1/2 months. Believe me I would have been perfectly happy if he would have waited to walk for many months beyond that, but it was something I didn't get to decide.
Now with Vivian (8 months), it seems I don't even have time to think about what milestone she should be on. I turn around and she is doing something new. Viv, please slow down let me catch up, you are growing too quickly. On Friday, I went to get her from a nap and she was kneeling and holding onto the railing. "What? That must be a fluke. Certainly, she isn't ready to pull herself up yet," I thought. After her next nap, she was up on her feet!
How did this happen? She isn't even really crawling yet! Well, she gets around very well, but she does an army type crawl instead of being up on her hands and knees. Maybe, that is all she will do before she walks.
She isn't the only one growing up too quickly though. None of them are waiting for my ok to move on. They are growing up and it is ok . . . , really . . . . , I think . . . . , well, I don't have a choice I guess! It is a good reminder that they really are in the Lord's hands. I can't control them or change them. I can suggest. I can guide and prepare them for life the best I know how, but ultimately it is out of my hands. It is humbling and reassuring all at the same time.
oh....so sweet of you!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I spent hours with my first one, walking him around while holding his hands, thinking he'd couldn't possibly learn to walk without help. My fourth one was walking at 9 months, without any encouragement.
ReplyDeleteMilestone achievements can be bittersweet. You are so proud of them, but each one marks the end of a stage of growing up, especially the walking one. They seem to suddenly stop being babies and become toddlers overnight.
I had no concept of time before I was a mom. Now I am watching my last baby catapult into preschooler-hood. Bittersweet is right.
ReplyDeleteKids do grow up so fast. Time flies when you're having fun. At least you will always have your memories of what they were like when they were little.
ReplyDeleteHere via the carnival of family life.