Josie took her first steps today. I still can’t believe it.
Every milestone she reaches feels like another weight lifted off my shoulders.
Ever since Josie was born with Pierre Robin, a mysterious complication that we never expected, there has been an anxious voice in the back of my head. It asks cruel questions that keep me up at night. Questions like, Will she ever speak? Will she develop on time? Can she hear me? Is she reaching her milestones? Is she normal?
It’s a voice that I try to silence and ignore. I know it’s irrational to be concerned about things like that. If I ask any of these questions out loud, people automatically tell me that I’m being ridiculous to even worry. But ever since Josie took her first breath, I’ve never stopped worrying.
Just a few hours ago, my husband and I talked about when Josie would start to walk. She’s been cruising for months. We wondered, will she be a late walker?
What if she never walks? the voice asked.
But today, Josie walked.
After a year of surgeries, medical procedures, nights spent in the hospital, doctor’s appointments, genetic tests, and lots of tears… she’s walking.
We have come so far this year. There are still so many things that I worry about constantly, but for tonight, I’m over the moon that my baby has met another milestone right on time.
Good job, Josie. You amaze me.
