This morning started as usual. The three year old whom we now refer to as the human alarm clock arose at 6:06am. We call him the human alarm clock because he awakes, without fail, between 6:00-6:30 (usually between 6:05 and 6:20). We managed to get him ready for preschool and C left with him, running, at 7:48. At 7:52, around the corner, they determined that they must have missed the bus. C drove him to school, arriving there at 8:10. As it turns out, the bus isn't running this week due to vacation week.
Meanwhile at home, C (occupational therapist) arrived at 8:15 for her scheduled appointment with Josiah. He was up, changed, dressed, nursed, and ready to play. C came with a friend today. It was twice the fun, twice the attention. Josiah loved it. While D (physical therapist) continues to work with Josiah on gross motor, C focuses more of her attention on fine motor (grasping small object, gripping, eating, etc). Josiah is making good progress in this area. He laughed, flirted, and worked hard for C today. He did very well.
By 9:30, the session was over. Josiah was exhausted. He ate his cereal (baby oatmeal & fruit), the six yr old got ready, and we were out the door. Our adventure was one of many small accomplishments. We paid bills, dropped paperwork off, picked up a few items for Josiah, kidnapped my Mom (who returned home this past weekend), visited my aunt, returned my Mom, and made our way to preschool. We got there at 3:45. We had a busy day but felt good about all we had done.
We arrived home at 4:15. We were home for the night. To satisfy a six year old's desire, we ordered pizza for dinner (meatball sub for the 3 yr old 'cause someone doesn't like pizza lol). We had a fun night at home. Everyone was in a good mood. Things were fairly mellow. We even watched a movie together. Then it was time for the 3 yr old to go to bed. It was about 7:30pm.
As he brushed his teeth in the bathroom, with C supervising, I sat in the living room with the six yr old, and Josiah. Josiah was on the floor, his oldest brother a short distance away. As we've seen him do before, Josiah got up on all fours and began rocking. Something was different. There was a determination in his eyes that was not to be missed. I grabbed my phone and frantically opened up the video app. This is what I captured:
Even as I type this, I am in awe of an amazing little boy. He's sixteen months old and crawled for the first time tonight. I couldn't be any prouder. It's not about age. It's about a little boy who demonstrates more strength, determination, resiliency, and spirit than anyone I have ever met. Josiah is my hero and my life has been blessed, tenfold, because he is here <3
The most important moments lie neither at the beginning nor the end,
but rather in the journey getting from one to another.