Her tiny legs wavered under her, unsure, unsteady.
Still chubby with baby rolls, she crouched frozen and uncertain, not ready to trust her balance and our encouraging claps.
I felt my heart flutter as I remember the newborn baby she once was. Her smell, her sweet snuggles, her soft cheeks.
It seemed like only yesterday.
Now, her wide grin and excited giggles filled the room with determination as we cheered her on.
Encouraged her to take her first step.
I watched her fierce desire to conquer her goal and walk into her independence.
She put one tiny foot in front of the other as we squealed with delight, clapped our hands, and then scooped her up.
Filling our arms and our hearts with pride.
Our baby was growing up.
Growing up with determination, independence, and a sense of accomplishment.
Our hearts were full.
—————————————–
Walking now mastered, she finds furniture to climb and builds towers to use as ladders.
Her toddler brain tells her that she must be demanding and stubborn and throw herself down in protest often.
Floor treats are preferred over cooked food.
Mimicking and picking up words comes easily and she fully engages in conversation with stuffed animals and books.
Bedtime is now a game.
It’s more interesting to fight necessary sleep and stay awake.
I will never sleep again.
But?
This toddler bit is pretty awesome.
What stage in life are your children, whether they be babies or grown? What do you find “awesome” about the stage they are in?Â
This is an original post to World Moms Blog by Multitasking Mumma of Canada.  You can find her on her blog, Multitasking Mumma, or on Facebook and Twitter.
Photo credit to Stephanie Chapman. Â This photo has a creative commons attribution license.Â
Aptly and beautifully described stages of a toddler, Leighann. I so remember the days when my son starting walking, I was so excited as he was a late walker (14.5 months), and felt so glad I was able to be there to witness it.
7.5 months later, he’s living up to his nickname of Monkey. He climbs, he jumps, he runs, he can climb stairs assisted, he can kick and throw a ball – he’s almost out of the early stages of toddlerhood and it’s bittersweet!
My daughter started walking late too (14 months) and when she did we were filled with joy and were so happy that we got to see it instead of the daycare.
Ever stage, girl, every single one is lovely and perfect and heart warming and sleep threatening.
Lovely post, truly!
xo
I love to hear this from mom’s who have children older than mine. It makes me calmer about her growing up.
Ah, I consider that stage one of the best, even when they threw tantrums sometimes. I remembered my daughter’s toddler years as being so much fun (and tiring too ;). She will be seven in two weeks time, and I’ve been feeling so sentimental (typical) since I could no longer deny the fact that she’s not a toddler anymore. Haha.
I have trouble accepting that mine isn’t a baby anymore. *tear*
My oldest will be 5 this year. I’m going through memory lane now with my second daughter, who is 7 mos old, remembering my older daughter at that age. I just don’t want to forget ANYTHING! And, there’s nothing like a wobbly toddler learning to walk — so cute! 🙂
Sweet post, Multitasking Mumma!
Jen 🙂
You are so right. Those first few “drunken” steps are the best.
I alternate between exhaustion and elation frequently with my 15 month old. It’s a rollercoaster stage, but it sure is fun!
I don’t think that sleep will ever be restful again for us.
Motherhood changes that.
Way to represent Canada my sweets.
Toddler age has by far been the best stage ever. Have fun with it and her 😉
Love this picture you paint of the first steps. It’s a good challenge for me to consider what I love best about the toddler stage, because too often my head is filled with the thoughts of things that drive me nuts about the “twos”! But I love how verbal my son is now – we can talk about all kind of things and he asks questions, seems to understand, likes to crack jokes and use his words in silly and smart ways. I love seeing his mind cease onto new concepts. Just this morning over breakfast I was teaching him 1-10 in French, and by the end of the meal, he was already asking me, “What comes after ‘deux’?” Such an amazing time in our brain’s development!
WOW… 1-10 in french!
that’s incredible!
Hi!!!! I loved this srtory of her mastering those steps..big and small. It’s amazing watching them grow isn’t it!!!!!!????
Hi Kir!!
It is amazing to watch and to know that you created this little being.
Surreal.
We are just going through that stage right now. My Rainbow started walking amonth ago…now he’s clinmbing, and jumping, and making my head spin. We lowered the beds, couches, tables…everything.
Thanks for putting a big smile on my face, this is a beautiful tribute to your awesome toddler. They grow fast.
xo
They do grow too fast!
I agree.
I would love to freeze some of the moments but I wouldn’t know which ones to choose.
I love it all. I love how Zoe sees one of her sisters crying and says in her cute little voice, “Sees saaaah (she’s sad).” I love how as Claire was refusing to get out of the bog’s bed today, even though I was trying to tell her it was dirty, she looked down and finally noticed the pawprint pattern on it and gasped, “It’s got footprints!” To see her so excited about something so miniscule made my heart leap. I love the 3 year old conversations and the budding 20 month old sentences.
they have such a love for life don’t they!
And if that’s fostered they become such wonderful children and adults.
Good parenting does that my friend.
And you?
You’re one of the good ones.
You just described my little girl 🙂 Beautiful post!!
Thank you!
It’s a pretty awesome thing, this parenting gig.
Our kids are in the exact same stage it seems.
I think they would really like each other.
Even Vampire Ninja
My lad is almost two and he is all over the place – never sitting still! I love that he starting to communicate more, by talking, by pointing, and by taking my hand to drag me over to whatever it is he wants to play with 🙂 (Luckily he still sleeps like a baby – meaning he sleeps very good, 12-13 hours per night, and is happy to go to bed every night! 🙂
i love that I can communicate with my daughter now too.
Lucky you for having a good sleeper!
Beautifully written! Been through that stage three times already and waiting for y fourth. My eldest is 8 and going through the independence phase (which I hope is not a phase as it would be horrible for him to revert) and I a, trying to find the balance between giving him freedom and keeping him safe. My daughter is 5 and has been in the same phase since she was born. The “I can do this on my own! Don’t help me!” I’m just trying to keep up! And my youngest has jumped in,head first, to the terrible twos. The unborn one is working on getting bigger as he (or she) is the size of a lemon according to this handy app I have.
WOW! You are a pro!
Next time I need help with something I’m coming straight to you!
Having just begun to sleep again, I hear your pain and share your delight in your wee girl: such fun!