She Walks

It’s a funny business being a parent.  You try not to compare.  Because obviously your child is always the best.  Not matter what: I ooze pride in her.  I always will.

But it’s hard sometimes.  Especially when it looks like your little one is being left behind.  In S’s case, literally.  All her peers have been toddling around for months now.  For months.  My Angel has watched them from the safety of her backside.  She’s shuffled but it’s no substitute.  They’ve run rings around her. 

I’ve become quite defensive.  “She’ll do it in her own time.” I say, as much to reassure myself as convince as anyone else.  I dread the inevitable question from re-acquaintances. “No.” I say simply. 

Then in September she started holding our hand and tottering.  But no more than that.  She’d reach up when ever she wanted to wander.  Try as we might, she simply wouldn’t do it on her own.  It’s been exhausting.

But today’s she’s done it.  Finally.  Taken a handful of steps on her own.  And she’s as delighted as everyone else. 

The girls at the nursery couldn’t contain themselves.  They were so giddy.  They whooped.  S, smiling from ear to ear, toddled out into her mummy’s arms.  T shed a tear.

Babies walking defies the laws of gravity like a bumble bee’s flight.  It looks impossible.  It is impossible.  Each faltering step a struggle against falling.  Each one a tiny triumph.

So many people take these first small steps for granted.  I’ve lost count of the number of people who have told us that it’s harder when they can walk.  But fooey to them!  We’ve waited so long for them; they’re very precious to us.   And this is a great Christmas present!

Comments

[Mrs RW]

One of the sweetest of memories: the first time you stoop down, hold out your arms, and a little angel comes walking into your embrace! Merry Christmas, Papa!

[Carlton]

Thank you, Mrs RW. It is difficult to explain how special that moment was!

c

[TomDolan]

Milo has just hit seventeen months and is still showing no sign of going it alone. Babies four months younger than him have been walking for a bit now.

So I know exactly where you're coming from.

And tell me the pain of having one of your feebler fingers regularly wrenched into angles never intended will fade eventually?

[Rob]

Congrats on the walking baby.
I remember the first time I seen my neice standing. I was amazed. I had to go grab my camera to capture the moment.
According to the mother (my sister) she had been standing for a few days now (of course not constantly for a few days). I think I was the only person in the room excited about this, not even my neice was. And I'm sure she was thinking to herself "what this old stunt, I've been doing this for as long as I remember."