I was sitting at work today and thinking about 10 months ago. I was in Ethiopia 10 months ago. Wow. I still miss Ethiopia but that is for another day. We were at the care center spending time with our dear sweet little Peanut. We had met her just the day before and we were all just trying to figure each other out.
Now we have been home for almost 10 months and we are still sort of figuring each other out. I say that because as Kiya grows and learns things change. Our way of doing things changes.
She is a vivacious and spunky 15 month old with a definite opinion about what she wants and how she wants it. Take bedtime for example. We have to start setting limits with her. She will stall otherwise. We tell her very clearly that bedtime is in x amount of minutes and that we will read x amount of books. If we don't, wow can that kid stall. She will "drink" more milk. Hand you another book and/or scoot over to a toy and start playing. She loves bed and she sleeps well so not sure where this new found stalling technique is coming from but we are on to her.
Kiya's 15 month check up is next week. I can't believe it. 10 months ago she was barely 12lbs and couldn't move really. Now she is sitting up, scooting, rolling, standing and....just kidding she isn't walking yet but she will. I try not to worry. What gets me the most is the comments from other people that there must be something wrong with her, you should take her to a doctor, my son/daughter was 11 months when they walked or 13 months and that was late, or my favorite has been you must carry/hold her too much that's why she can't walk. Really, I wanted to say you don't hold you kid? I love to hold mine :)
I posted on our amazing new forum seeking reassurance that it isn't that unusual that Kiya isn't walking at 15 months and got a TON of support and reassurance and stories of kids that walked at 17 month or 19 months etc. But the best piece of advice I got came from Abby on how to deal with the comments. And I quote:
"Have you ever seen Kiya do anything by the book? She's a smart, spunky little girl and she figures life out as she needs it"
Seriously that couldn't be a more perfect way to describe my daughter.
We have come along way in 10 months. I look forward to what is coming next. Admittedly I am slightly terrified as my spunky little one has a big ol'personality wrapped up in that little body and it is starting to poke through more and more each day. She is generally a very sweet and loving little girl but she has her moments when that big dramatic personality shines to the fullest as if to say watch out world Kiya is coming and you better get out of the way.
3 comments:
I know what you mean about the walking thing. Allie was a late walker, way after her first birthday...and we went to daycare with a little boy that was 8 days older than her. He was walking at 9 months old, so EVERYONE compared the two!!! I was SO worried deep down inside...but in the end they walk when they are ready.
I think the stress of it comes from being a first time mom, adoption, and all the unknowns that come with adoption.
Enjoy your little spunky one...once she is walking it really gets exciting to see what they come up with!!
From everything I've read, it said ET kids are most likely going to behind the American curve and that is normal for them. Each kid is different. I loathe it when people compare.
I think you are doing a good job letting her do things at her own pace. She will do it! Sounds like you have a lot of great resource people involved too. So you are being a great mom! Oh, and my sister didn't walk till almost two for no apparent reason, and has had zero problems with walking ever since then! Just had her OWN timeline.
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