This week Baby Girl attempted to let go of the furniture she has been holding on to while cruising around and take a step. She tried to walk. All on her own. However, as is often the case with trying to walk, she has not yet succeeded.

No, instead she bumped her cheek. When it happened I picked her up, hugged her, wiped her tears and comforted her. Once she was ready I then helped her try again.

As I did this all the kids were worried. They rushed over and wanted to make sure she never fall again. They asked “Can’t we make it so she doesn’t fall ever again?” They wanted to protect her, to care for her, and part of that is desire is wanting to make her world one with as little discomfort as possible.

While, I would love as a parent to have the ability to know she or they would never fall I could not tell them that it wouldn’t happen ever again. Because the reality is we all have falls in life. We get bumps both real and metaphorical. But we have to get back up, accept help up when we need it, then try again and be ready to work toward our goals.

Baby Girl will walk all on her own. She will grow big & strong like her brothers & sister, she will also face other challenges in life like they will. There will be bumps, big and small, in the journey of life. And when they happen we will all be there for each other, comforting, guiding, helping back up & cheering each other on until steps we take become ones we have worn through.

If D-man walks for Mr. J before me I admit it. I’m going to be a little jealous, as in reminding D-man his whole life how he walked for Mr. J but I am the one who carried him in my womb & birthed him. ME & it took like 3 weeks of labor to have him. That’s right THREE WEEKS, THREE– I mean it FELT like 3 weeks even if it only a few hours. Hours become weeks when you are laboring, WEEKS I TELL YA!! WEEKS!! But anyway all mothering guilt trips aside, Mr. J has been trying to help D-man get his land legs everyday. He can’t wait to have D-man take his first steps & he is hoping that when D-man does walk it will be with him. Although I’m wondering if Mr. J has thought through this plan, because once D-man is standing & walking on his own 2 feet you know that he will want to get into EVERYTHING that is Mr. J’s. He’ll be like a flash of toddler lightening.

(and this picture is courtesy of Mr. G who had to also help his brothers out)