Celebrating Accomplishments

I've always been a firm believer in celebrating what Kennedy can do and not focusing on what she can't do, but finding fun activities to work on developing those skills. Kennedy is amazing. She has accomplished so much in her 15 months and she has worked extra hard to accomplish these things. I could not be more proud of her. She has overcome things that most people aren't faced with in a lifetime. She is happy, healthy and thriving. She may not be as advanced as some kids her age, but she's Kennedy. She will learn these things and she will do it on her own time, just as all children do. No matter how much I work with her, no matter how much therapy we do, she will only do them when she's ready. It doesn't matter if I have the best therapists in the world. If Kennedy isn't ready, I can't make her walk or talk tomorrow. But I can give her the tools she needs to develop those skills and when she's ready to say more than mama or dada she will. When she's ready to walk, she will. For now, she's content with her version of crawling. And let me say, she gets around pretty quick! There is nothing to feel sorry for. I have a beautiful and amazing little girl who is the light of my life. Her smile and giggles brighten every day and makes even the worst times better. My life isn't what I expected and it isn't what other people think it is, it's so much better!!

Motherhood is not a competition. It's not about whose kid does what first or who is more advanced. All children are special and their accomplishments deserve to be celebrated whether they have typical chromosomes or something a little extra. I've said it before and I will say it again. I've never seen a college application that asked at what age you were walking and talking. Call me biased, but Kennedy is one of the happiest babies I've ever known. She laughs and smiles 99% of the day and she knows that she is loved. She has touched the lives of so many people in the short 15 months since she made her arrival, and I know that regardless of how old she is when she walks or talks she is going to continue to do amazing things and touch the lives of many. We will continue to celebrate what she does do and not dwell on what she doesn't. We will use the resources available to us in the most efficient way possible. We're in the middle of big changes when it comes to therapy and I'm really excited to utilize some new resources. And most of all, we will continue to parent the way we have for the last 15 months. After all, she is healthy, happy and thriving. We've got to be doing something right!

(It's rare for me not to post photos, but I promise, I'll have a bunch tomorrow!)