One certain little one year old decided to do just that last night.
And, hey, at fifteen months old as of last Sunday and STILL not walking, it was about time. For that reason alone, I beg you to forgive my slightly-over-the-top-pitchy-annoying voice in the video.
I mean, people, I was actually talking about taking him to the doctor next week if he wasn’t walking.
I know, mothers. I know.
BUT last week I heard about a child who wasn’t walking at fourteen months old and it turned out her hip was… out of socket… or… messed up… or somthing. I don’t remember. But what I do know is that the little girl had to wear a cast for a couple months because of it and, HELLO? I’m a mother–a dramatic, paranoid, pessimistic mother at that–so I’m entitled to a little bit of worry when my child is, you know, not walking at the ripe ol’ age of fifteen months.
So. Anyway.
The point here is that last night, totally out of the blue, Merritt just decided that, hey, this was the night. It was time to walk.
And so he did.
He took took one wobbly step, and then another. He fell… and got up… and fell again. He took a couple more cautious steps, unsure of his legs and whether they’d hold him up. But they did. Before we knew it, he was cruisin’ around our bedroom with a grin on his cutesie li’l face.
I think there’s probably a few age-old life lessons in there for his mama if she chooses to find them, dontcha think?
And he walks! from Ashleigh on Vimeo.
I just have to say how incredibly, unbelievably blown away I’ve been by all the comments and emails and tweets and Facebook messages and cards we’ve received. The sad thing is that this feels like we’re mourning a death–and in a way, we are. But you have no idea just how much of a blessing you all are to this family. Seriously–I’m not just saying this. The wisdom and the love in your words and actions is just… overwhelming. Knowing how many people are kneeling at the throne of grace for us gets us through some of the hardest times. Thank you, sweet ones.
Ooooh how precious!
And oh how lovely of our Lord to gift you with such sweetness during the storm of life. :o)
Bless you all!
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My older son was like that. It took him forever to crawl, forever to walk, forever to talk, forever to ride a bike.
He didn’t crawl until he was 9 months, but then he crawled, pulled up on furniture, and cruised in two weeks. He didn’t walk until he was 13 months, but then he walked and ran in a week. He didn’t say anything until he was 2 1/2 (just made animal noises), but when he started talking, it was in full sentences. He didn’t ride a tricycle until he was 4 y/o, but then he rode a trike, a 12″ bike, and a 16″ bike in the same day.
I have a feeling the same thing is going to happen with reading and schoolwork. He is 5 y/o now, and has no interest in learning his letters. But I think once he finally learns them, he is going to be reading shortly after that.
I think some kids just have to figure it all out in their heads before they can actually DO it. You know what I mean?
Sorry for writing a novel. :)
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Awwww!! I love that video! And I can’t believe how big Merritt is! You need to post some more pictures/videos of him and Troy–I’ll bet Troy’s getting to be quite a big boy now. :-)
Also, I haven’t commented on your blog or your moms (I didn’t want to weird her out by commenting since she doesn’t know me), but your family has DEFINITELY been in my prayers. I’m not very good at saying the right thing, but know that you guys have been in my thoughts and prayers–a lot.
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Awesome!
I couldn’t help but think as I watched that how this is such a great example of how parents are supposed to champion thier children through life. He was so pleased with your happiness in him.
As our kids grow older it is so easy to pick out the things they do wrong and major on them. I want to remember to focus on encouraging the awesome stuff they come up with like you guys just did.
Thanks for sharing!
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How sweet!!
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Oh my goodness! Your video (and your voice was NOT annoying!!!) actually brought tears to my eyes. I remember when my boy (he’s two) starting walking… at 14 months!
I just watched your other video, Journey, and was sobbing.
I’m so thankful God brought your husband home safely to you. So very, very thankful.
My husband went across the country last summer for three months, and I thought that was hard. I can’t imagine. When the kids and I flew up for his graduation (FBI National Academy) we saw some soldiers in the airport. I got choked up and teary-eyed just looking at them. I finally got the courage to ask them if they were coming or going, and when they said going, I just about broke down right there. All I could get out was, “Be careful and stay safe.” But I was praying like mad on the inside.
Thank you for your sacrifice, and please tell your husband thank you from me, too.
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Sweet, sweet. My second child didn’t walk until about that age too. I love his heavy breathing towards the end…hard work, that walking stuff!
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Aww that’s so sweet!! I can’t believe he’s walking so well on the *same* day as his first step!!!! SO CUTE!!! Yay!
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Wow Ashleigh, that’s great! He looks and sounds so excited with his new found ability, watch out now!
It is amazing that he just up and started walking, he must have been thinking and scheming about it for a while! :)
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What a great video! Makes me look forward even more to when hubby decides we’re ready for our first. ;)
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Yay!!! It’s so fun to see them take their first steps. :)
I loved hearing your voice!
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I had a similar experience. Kiah was almost 14 months when he started walking. But I jokingly said about a week before he did “oh he’s gonna start walking when Frank gets home” (he was in Iraq). And you know what, that is EXACTLY what he did. He took his first steps into his daddy’s arms!!!! your post today brought that back afresh.
jennifer
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That was meltingly cute. :) I don’t know if you remember, but William did not start consistently walking until 15 months, either. I think some kids are just more cautious, but once they start, there’s no looking back!
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This is so sweet! Thanks for sharing your life.
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My first two didn’t walk until around that age. (I blamed my husband’s genes since my siblings and I were all early walkers!)
Then my third walked before her first birthday. Each child is so wonderfully unique! They amaze me.
Thanks for sharing Merritt’s triumph with us. :)
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Oh, that was so adorable! And he’s walking like that just after taking his first steps? Wow!
And talk about the Lord’s perfect timing, to give you this little bit of joy right when you need it.
You’re all in my thoughts and prayers still.
xxx
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Way to go Merritt! You are in my prayers daily!
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Oh, too sweet! Yay for Merritt!
We’re praying for you, and I know the Good Lord will take you one step of the way all through this, just like He did all that time through Mr. John’s deployment.
Love you guys!
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And here your little guy was my excuse for my 14-month-old not walking. ;) And I seriously was going to have her hips checked out again, because hip dysplasia runs in our family…but I wasn’t worried about it affecting her walking. She walks along everything, she’s just scared to take off without holding onto something yet. I know it will come in time, though! Congrats to your little guy. Maybe he’ll have to come give her walking lessons. ;)
Regarding your tweets, I guess ignorance is “Bliss” because I have no clue what “BlissDom” is, so I don’t know what I might be missing. ;) You take care, lady. HUGS
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That is awesome, Ash! Merritt is officially a big boy. *sniff* Pretty soon he’ll be running around all over.
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Yay for Merritt!
And Ashleigh … ! *Hug!* You are amazing! Hang on in there, dear one. Our precious Jesus WILL get you through “the hardest times.”
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It was so exciting to see little Mer Mer walking yesterday. How time fly’s by so fast!! Miss you lots!! Time for a sleep over!! :)
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It was SO good to hear your voice! I LOVED watching little Merritt walk!…SO exciting! :)
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Awww, so sweet, and so cute! He’s really enjoying making you all smile!
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That was just too cute!
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My little man didn’t walk on his own until he was 15 months, either. He would walk along furniture, holding your hand — I even remember one time he picked up some laundry I was folding and walked along with that… but once he dropped it, he hit the ground, too. Something about just needing to build up confidence, I guess. But, once he got it, he was practically running in the same day! :o)
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