Sometimes Goodbyes Aren't Sad

I haven't kept a baby book of Micah's developments. I started out with grand intentions - after all, I'd kept a record of all the other kids. At least for a while. I think Luke's bottomed out somewhere around his fourth tooth. But hey, it was a start. And I started with Micah as well. I dutifully wrote in his birthdate, complete with time of day down to the minute. I recorded his weight and length (because kids aren't measured in height until they can remain vertical on their own) and I filled in his family tree. After that, things kinda came to a screeching halt. I wanted to fill it out, I really did. But when your kid has major delays in most areas of his life, it gets discouraging. In fact, we're still waiting for things like his first lost tooth, potty training (we're so close!) and that whole vaguely gray area of his first word. Was it Shrek, when he used that deeply gutteral sound for a K so many years ago? Or are we still waiting for a crystal clear "daddy" to come out of his mouth?

And then there are milestones that aren't recorded in baby books. We've rejoiced over things like Micah being able to climb the steps of the sliding board all by himself. We're still thrilled when he makes whole sentences on his Voice. (There are no baby books that have a section for an artificial Voice. Trust me.) And how about the day he learned to dress himself, or put his shoes on, or even wash himself in the bathtub? For Micah, those are reasons to celebrate one more step to independence. That is one more thing that I won't have to do for my son when he is an adult. It's one more reason to be incredibly proud of him and how hard he works at everyday life.

One of the milestones that he may never reach, that don't have a place in baby books, is drinking from a cup. We've been in Sippy Cup Land for 15 years now, and there will likely never be an end to it. (Do you KNOW how much money we've spent on sippy cups over the years?!) Except today, I realized that there will be an end. Sometimes Smart hits me over the head and knocks some sense into me.

Today, I realized that I can give the boy a straw in a cup. He's responsible enough to not spill it (for the most part) and we don't have to worry about matching lids with bottoms. He can now graduate to being a big boy, drinking from a straw. Go, me, for allowing Smart to smack some sense into me. And go, Micah, for being patient with me all these years in not figuring that out a long time ago.

And this is exactly why I blog. Micah doesn't have a baby book. It's just not accurate, nor does it have the appropriate reasons for rejoicing. Instead, I can write about each of his milestones here and have them remembered for all time.

Today marks the end of the Sippy Cup Era. Let the world rejoice.

16 comments:

The Zikes said...

I understand the milestones! I have learned to appreciate life so much more since Noah's birth. It is amazing how you take for grant it the things babies do as they get older . . . play with their toes, talk, walk, eat, drink, etc. I have cherished every milestone we have made thus far!!! And thankful that God has given us Noah to teach us many things! CONGRATS on this milestone!!!

Karen Deborah said...

WOW potty training and sippy cups he is such the big boy now!! I thought you were going to say no more diapers. That post is coming!

Anonymous said...

I know your son has a thing for the characters of Toy Story and wanted to let you know that Kohls Department Store has a stuffed animal Woody, Buzz and Dinosaur as well as a books for 1 and 2 (not sure about 3) for $5 a part of their Kohl's cares.

Karen said...

The Zikes - I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about with the milestones, and how we can both rejoice when God makes yet another miracle. He is good, isn't He?

Karen said...

Anon - I saw that! I'll have to find a Kohl's somewhere. Thanks for the heads' up.

Annette W. said...

Oh, I understand the whole baby book thing. Pitiful since our only problem was speech. I gave up on baby books though...even with my son, I don't use them to keep track of what he should be doing or what I cannot write.

imbeingheldhostage said...

aaah, see? You are documenting. I hope you've backed up your blog post for that very reason! I stopped scrap booking and journaling when I started blogging. Poor Kyleigh who appears to be center stage on my blog, has nothing dedicated to her in our house :-(

Micah's done some amazing things these last two years and you've taken some great photos. Look how brown he is already! Did summer come to your house? We're still waiting over here...

Karen said...

I'mbeingheldhostage - summer came. So did winter. And summer again. We've not had spring, just a wishy-washy 80 degree/40 degree variant. The boy tans easily.

Lisa Page Rosenberg said...

I think this occasion calls for a silly straw.

JennyH said...

I too think the sippy cups can go. We use straw sippys- but they are still sippys. Only Joe and Ike still use them. One day I'll think the kids can handle normal cups. So I go for it. After about the 3 cup of chocolate milk spilled on my carpet I've had enough!

Go Micah and GO you!

James Bainbridge said...

The best part about not using a baby book is that we all get to rejoice in Micah's milestones and other successes.

We're all better for being able to share in your stories - I know I sure look forward to reading about them...

Karen said...

James - I have to wonder if everyone enjoys the stories so much because it's just every day life, only happening to me this time around. I mean, who doesn't have a kid peeing off the front porch?

The Sports Mama said...

Well, first... I don't have a kid peeing off the front porch. Of course, that may be because I don't actually have a front porch. :)

I love the virtual baby book that a blog is. Honestly, all baby books stop at 5 yrs old, anyway. How am I supposed to record every other milestone that happens along their way to adult hood?

Michelle said...

You know there has GOT to be a special needs baby book like this somewhere. GOT to be. And if there isn't, one needs to be published. Wanna collaborate? :)

Roger Miller said...

I completely understand the whole 15 years of sippy cups, I think we are currently on year number 17. Granted our situations are different, but way to go Micah! He has grown so much in the past five months, or am I reading it wrong? That is awesome!

I agree with Michelle, a baby book for special needs kids needs to be published/created and I think you could come up with the ideas and publish away. So just put that on your "to do" list and get to working on it. :)

Brandie said...

I dream of this day... My friends get weepy when they throw their kid's sippy cups away, I get jealous. ;)