Monumental Milestones

Ladybug has nearly been home for 1 month.  I won’t sugar coat it – the first couple weeks home were so very difficult.  I could think of a few other words to describe that time, but will be polite for all the virgin eyes out there. However, day by day she slowly started getting better and I was slowly starting to regain my sanity. Once I had decided to change her feeds to continuous over night things have soared. Sleeping through the night is now an everyday occurrence in our household – for the most part.  One thing I have learned in my almost 1 year of motherhood is that our children pick up on our emotions, when mummy is happy and relaxed so is baby.

The other day I was in town picking up a few household items with the munchkin, and a stranger came up and asked how old my baby was.  Not a huge shock – it often happens.  The woman proceeded to ask if she was crawling or beginning to walk yet.  I answered no and hoped the conversation would end there and I could continue on with my shopping. Then she told me that she has a niece that was 2 months younger than my princess and already crawling and nearly walking.  She was very sweet about it and it was obvious that she was just a very proud aunt, however I couldn’t help but be really irritated by the whole conversation.  I found myself feeling very protective of my daughter and even felt a hint of sadness that she hadn’t reached these milestones yet.

I had to remember what a very good friend once told me – our babies may be smaller than other babies but it’s a blessing, because we can do what the majority of other parents can’t – we can enjoy the precious innocent baby stage just a wee bit longer.

Later that week my little ladybug had just woken up from a nap and was smiling so big that both her top teeth were in clear view.  I decided to do the gum check just to see if there were any more.  Sure enough I felt a sharp little point on her bottom gum.  It was so exciting.  I immediately called my parents to let them know, then posted it on FB so my friends and extended family could share in my joy.  (Little side note – not everyone will be as excited as you over a tooth) Her third tooth had arrived – what made it more special was it was her 1st bottom tooth.  Even now as I’m recalling this I find myself filled with happiness.  It made me realize that deep down I really didn’t care if my daughter wasn’t crawling YET. She was still reaching milestones and each and every one of those milestones is just as important as the big ones that most other parents look forward to only to forget about in time.

In fact one of the most monumental milestones that I can recall thus far happened while my little princess was still in the hospital.  It was around 2 weeks post surgery. We were waiting for the port line to be changed over and the nurse gave us the okay to walk around the ward IV and heart monitor free.  That in it self was fantastic, but that’s just the beginning.  As we were walking I began bouncing and noticed that she was smiling so I began putting more umph and sounds into each bounce (I even got some crazy looks from other parents) just as I looked down at my happy little ladybug she giggled.  I stopped in the middle of the ward and started crying.  The nurses came rushing over to make sure we were okay and I had to try to explain that they were happy tears.  My little ladybug had giggled because of an action for the first time in her life.

One of the CDG moms had emailed this quote on the CDG Family Network to another mom who was having a difficult time – it was a turning point in the way I viewed my daughter, her health, and development. “Struggles only make triumphs that much sweeter.”

Whether it be eye contact, a new tooth, giggling, or the many milestones to come – each and every one will be monumental and I will continue to celebrate them all.

FB Page: Little Ladybug Hugs

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