Milestones, like learning to walk and talk, are accomplishments that sometimes we take for granted until one day a doctor tells you that your baby may not make it to birth. After that, every single little milestone is a huge accomplishment. It’s a cherished moment that may have never been. Each milestone is “showing them!”
I remember when we were trying to teach Barrett to talk and he was having a delay caused by allergies. Watching him struggle was so difficult. We could tell he understood the words. We knew he was trying so hard but just couldn’t get the words out. Cody and I would read him the same picture book each night saying words over and over to him. On an average day, he would say one new word a day after constant repetition. I will never forget how one night (shortly after changing Barrett's diet), Cody came downstairs from reading to Barrett. He was beaming, saying how Barrett had just said 10 new words! The pride I felt almost led me to run upstairs and wake the sleeping boy to hug him and make him say the words so I could hear the beautiful sound of his voice saying, “Ball” and “truck.”
Today Annabelle pulled herself up to a standing position for the first time. The beauty of this moment is not lost on me. Or her. Or her brothers. They ran to her side and cheered. They told her she was standing. Her smile stretched from ear to ear. My heart leapt for joy. My eyes locked with Cody’s with a knowing look while her brothers ran for the video camera. We hardly ever think about what the doctors told us and in this moment we are so filled with pride there is no room for anything else.
She used the bottom drawer of the stove to pull up. Why there? To see the baby inside!
