Walking!

The past 8 months have been filled with constant urging, pleading, encouragement, and prompting. If I had a way of calculating my most often used words, the results would reveal something like, "Come on!" or "You can do it!" or especially, "Just walk!" Being a parent is hard enough without all the books, websites, and well-meaning and not so well-meaning comments. There is so much information out there about age milestones, and it's impossible for a mother to heed the warning at the bottom of each milestone list- the warning that states, "This is only a guideline. Each and every child develops on their own schedule." Would you believe I actually had people try and diagnose my child with different back problems, developmental delays...even autism, just because the little dude wasn't walking yet? When I told Ben's pediatrician, through unstoppable mommy tears, that several other mothers had suggested there was something seriously wrong with my seemingly healthy and smart baby boy, he was furious. And then he proceeded to write me a prescription (and this is completely true) that said, "I give Ben's Mother the liberty to punch any person that insists her child is less than perfect." His humor and light-heartedness did make me feel better- and so did the comments of all the wiser folks out there urging me to "Relax! Enjoy the ride. He'll walk when he's ready." And when I asked Ben's doctor if there was anything I could do to encourage his walking, he said, "Nope- he's just waiting for you to stop bossing him around- then he'll do it." And when I asked at what point I should be truly concerned if he's not walking, he said, "If you're carrying him into kindergarten- schedule an appointment."

Well- I'm happy to report that, just shy of 18 months, my little guy is walking. He's walking on his own, without much encouragement, and he couldn't be more proud of himself. And what did I learn from this whole thing? I learned to Relax! To enjoy the ride. They'll do it when they're ready.



Miss Emma has been doing so well with her ballet and tap classes. She dances everywhere we go- the supermarket, the bank...she even dances her way to the bathroom.



On Saturday, we joined Trenton's mom for Chinese food. It was so freezing outside, with Styrofoam-like snow, and nothing felt better than warming up with wanton soup and spicy chicken. I thought Emma was especially cute trying to use the chop sticks.

And Ben was enjoying his share of the cream puffs.

Later that afternoon, we met up with Shannon and Steve at the Pioneer Museum. I felt so badly for Trenton. He has had Influenza for the last 9 days, but I dragged him out in the freezing weather. I say "dragged," but I think his cabin fever did most of the pushing. Aside from the hacking- I think he enjoyed getting out of the house. Trenton's Mom watched Ben so we could have an "Emma Date" and she loved looking at all the artifacts and pictures, and having us to herself. I'm always fascinated by the history of the western part of our country. And of course, I managed to spend the majority of my time in the medical/dental wing. I can't get over how barbaric their "modern" medicine was. And all the info on TB just gives me the creeps. Before we got there I was telling Emma the ghostly past of the museum, and while we were walking through the halls she said, "I want to see a ghostie now!" Awesome.
Anyway- I thought the old courthouse looked especially beautiful in the snow.


Snow, snow, snow. We've been seeing a lot of it lately!
Until next time!
Janet, Trenton, Emma, and Ben