Exactly one week ago today (Aug. 21st) my baby started walking! He will be 14 months on the 30th so it shouldn't have been a surprise, but it was. The day before I had even made a comment to my mom that I didn't think he would walk anytime soon. Really I had been grateful that he had taken so long. I really think he is our last (but I reserve the right to change my mind if I want to) so it was nice to feel like I still had a baby, especially since all of his sibling walked before a year- Josie at eight months. At the same time I wanted him to be "normal" (mom's are neurotic aren't they?)
So there we were at Mission Hills Park in the hot afternoon sun dying of heat stroke. Flint was looking awfully hot and miserable while my other kids were playing in the water so I decided that we would just run through the water one time to cool off. It felt so good that I thought, "I wonder how he would like to just sit under the spraying water?" I set him down while the water wasn't spraying (so I wouldn't get any wetter), stepped back and waited. When the water started spraying he started crying and just stood up and walked out! What? I don't know if he had been hiding this from me or if the moment spurred on the desire to walk, but he clearly stood up and walked out of the water!
It is with mixed emotions that I announce this minor accomplishment in my baby's life. It is a constant struggle that I find going on inside of me . Elation at each of my children's conquests, each milestone reached in life's path; despair at how quickly they are growing and changing, reaching out to pull them back to be my baby just a little longer. I never seem content. When life is difficult or dragging I want to speed time up, I try to will the big hand to speed around the clock. . . .past due babies, the stomach flu, dental work, a hard semester, Christmas Eve night. When life is blossoming and blooming with all that I could possibly want, I want to smash the clock, freeze time. . . .winning a race, holding a newborn baby, a surprise gift, a moment of silence, a date with the man of my dreams (yes, Jon that's you!) I am constantly in a tug of war with time. Sometimes he's winning;sometimes I'm winning, but a minute is always 60 seconds and a day is always 24 hours!
7 comments:
Yay Flint! I bet he really knew how to walk all along but he was keeping it a secret so that you could enjoy his infantdom a little more :) He is a sweetheart. I can relate to you with the battle against time. Where has it gone. You blink and before you know it a year has passed. I wonder if we will even measure time in the next life when we know it will never end.
~Mandy
What a funny boy! That's a great story, too!
I know how you feel - I get excited about every new accomplishment - then wish it hadn't happened because it means my babies are growing up.
You're not the only neurotic mom out there!
i can't believe how big he is getting! He is such a cute kid and always full of smiles!
That is the greatest challenge of motherhood for me. Enjoying the moment without looking to the future or the past. It is hard to live in the moment when it seems to pass so quickly!!
p.s. - I wonder how long he has been secretly walking??
What a fun and delightful story! I just love this little man of yours. I'm so sad that so much of his life has passed with me only knowing him through pictures. I also share in your feelings. It really isn't fair!
I saw your blog address on FB and thought I'd finally get around to catching up with you all. What an adorable family! I'm glad things are going well with you!
Rachelle I didn't know you have a blog! I love it! What a great post... and oh so true! Flint is such a cute kid! It was so fun to watch him and Grace play at the pool on Waylans b-day.
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