Hard Path, High Calling
I've been hurting a lot lately. Like, A LOT. My lower back is aching. My hips are throbbing. My thighs are burning. I wish I could say it's because of rigorous exercise, but in all actuality, my current weight isn't exactly helping the situation.
This morning, I stooped down to pick you up and felt the familiar pull on my side as I tried to hold you up on my hip. That's when I realized that you're likely a pretty big contributing factor to the pain.
Don't feel guilty about to that. You've always been low-tone. When you were eight-months-old, I'd sit in the floor with you while my legs hugged your hips, my arms supported your trunk and my hands pivoted your upper body. Your sides were so tight I could barely turn you clockwise and counterclockwise. So, we started doing stretching sessions three times a day, and it worked! Your range increased tremendously within a few weeks. From there, you started to sit and then crawl. Walking didn't come until you were between 21 and 22 months old.
One thing you never quite got the hang of was hooking your legs around the hips of the person carrying you. Some children give a small hop when being lifted. You don't. Quite frankly, you are the most adorable sack of potatoes I've ever seen. That said, I have to admit, it is getting a little challenging to pick you up and hold you.
Earlier, I thought to myself - she has to be 38-40lbs by now, without AFOs on. How much longer can I hold her or get her from the floor to the stool or from the parking lot to the car seat? You also don't climb yet, but you WILL go up stairs with mod assistance (WHEW!!).
And then! I got hit with an epiphany. I opened up Facebook and saw a status that read, "Maybe your path is harder because your calling is hire."
Somehow, in some magical way, I got to be your mom. Me! That's when I got the answer to my question. How much longer can I carry you?
For as long as it takes.
Take your time, my baby. I'm having fun getting to play my part in this journey called life with you.
Practicing Lunges,
Mama