(no subject)

[lollardfish]

My son learned how to walk today. It's been coming (see previous post), but today we were in a grassy field walking holding one hand, and I somehow realized he wasn't interested in holding on anymore (I assume he cued me). So I stood in front of him, and he repeatedly got up, walked, fell, giggled (the giggling while falling, Shannon points out, is especially critical), then did it again. This afternoon we spent 10 minutes walking around the park (grainy videos to follow). It's extraordinary.

I assume every parent feels this kind of pride at such accomplishments. I do wonder, though, whether the "work" both we and Nico (and his therapists) put into the process heightens the emotional power of the moment when it comes together. It was Christmas when Nico first stood up unsupported. It was sometime in the preceding spring when he started cruising. It was the December before that when he started scooting on his tummy (I still have the first video Shannon sent me on her phone, documenting the occasion). That's a long process, marked by daily and weekly sessions trying to help him build strength, balance, and courage. And now ... he stands up and walks, falls, hops up again, and grins and giggles.

Videos after the cut.

A joyful day.

Comments

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

So very cool! The videos are great. He's so incredibly EXCITED, and his excitement isn't abated in the least by all the falling down. Even with all those pre-walking stages he'd already mastered, do you think today was the first time he actually understood why he was doing it - that he actually has the power to locomote?

Those first steps are always thrilling, but I'm sure they're doubly so for you and Shannon because it's been such a long time coming. It's one thing to keep telling yourself that Nico has his own timetable and you shouldn't measure him against other children, but it must be hard to keep the faith sometimes. Days like these you realize it's really true. He just keeps moving forward at his own pace and when it's time to fly, he does.

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

I don't know precisely what clicked today - something about being able to "walk" like everyone else does, indefinitely.