One Milestone Changes Everything

This week my toddler learned how to climb out of his crib. And suddenly mornings went from mostly peaceful to hyper very quickly. I used to be able to get dressed while he hung out in his crib and played with his stuffies and have a morning bathroom trip alone. I could feed the baby who gets extremally distracted watching his brother, or finish my last sips of coffee. Now? Its suddenly 0 to 100 when I hear "Oh! Hi, Momma" echoing in the doorway, each day earlier than before. I've always prioritized a little time for myself in the mornings to get my head right before I'm go, go, go for 14 hours. I have no idea how I'm going to make that work again. I work nights and can't manage getting up any earlier than I already am. A wrench was thrown into my routine and I don't know how to cope with it.

This week my toddler learned how to climb out of his crib, and he his so happy about it. His mood seems to be better regulated and he loves his new found independence. He has been initiating independent play a bit better and I no longer have to go get him from his crib while I am in the middle of something. He doesn't take his stuffies out of his crib anymore and were not hunting for Bear when its nap time. Now, every morning I hear "Oh, Hi Momma" echoing in the door way. and the joy in his voice and smile on his face is infectious.

A few weeks ago my infant became significantly more proficient at rolling. And now I am constantly trying to keep him from rolling off my lap while eating. He very suddenly flips over and then is upset he no longer has a bottle in his mouth. This has made an already distracted boy take even longer to eat. He is able to roll over super quick with out warning now, and using a changing table is feeling dangerous, but changing him on the floor is hard on the back. Rolling has increased my anxiety and rolling has taken more of my time.

A few weeks ago my infant became more proficient at rolling. Now he is rolling around to get to toys and no longer screaming because he can't reach something. He is better able to move around and see what he is trying to look at and no longer screaming because we walked out of his sight as much. Now, his brother likes to lay on the ground with him and roll around too. It is incredible to watch the two of them start playing with each other and interacting more. Rolling gave more joy to both of my children.

A month ago we started solids with the baby. Now I find myself in the kitchen way more having to prep purees all the time and baby led weaning foods because he doesn't like us feeding him solids. He wants to do it himself, when he can barely coordinate it. He is making such a mess and barely getting any food in him. And now I am cleaning up even more on top of everything else. Solids threw a wrench in my routines. Solids took more of my time and I am struggling to cope.

About a month ago we started solids with the baby. And now he has started sleeping better. Solids have brought him more stimulation as he tries to learn how to eat and this is helping him take better naps. The cuteness and joy he finds from playing with his food and exploring solids warms my heart.

One day my baby started having more control over his limbs. Now hes grabbing and pulling my hair intentionally. He is constantly scratching me. 

Now hes playing and interacting with toys. Im watching him get better at it. He puts his hand on my cheek as he falls asleep and its one of the most precious moments of my life

Everything new is a crazy change. Change to our routines, a change to the things on our to do list. Some milestones take time, some give time back but most change how our daily lives flow. There is struggle and joy in each and balance between the two. The hardships we manage make the joy that comes out of it more intense and adds to this wonderful, crazy journey we are on.

Solidarity to the parents out there who just had a milestone wrench thrown into the routines they worked hard to establish. And congratulations to a new phase of this journey we get to experience with our little ones.