You've Come A Long Way, Baby!

My dearest Cerise,

I can still remember the day we brought you home from the hospital. We were so thrilled that you were finally with us, part of our family. You were the biggest baby born among your siblings and we marveled at your size and your sweet nature.

Then the following week and months after were the most horrible ones for me. We had to deal with your sepsis, congenital heart holes, failure to thrive, thyroid and liver problems, amoebiasis, constant blood work and of course with results. All these obstacles brought about your physical delays. The truth is, I am grateful that your delays are just physical. The last visit to the Developmental Pediatrician showed that she may still be delayed physically but in other areas you are either at par with your age or even beyond.

I still feel a tinge of regret for not bringing you to the Dev Pedia right away and maybe we could have addressed your physical problems earlier. It took a while for you to learn to clap your hands, sit upright, sit down by yourself, crawl and even cruise around the house. I would look at other children your age or even younger than you who are running and walking around and I pray to God that someday, you too will have that joy to be more mobile on your own. At that time, we had to address your more immediate problems, such as your thyroid, and the physical delays had to be put on hold. But nevertheless, we were able to send you to a physical therapist and slowly you gained confidence in the physical area.

I distinctly remember that January afternoon when Teacher Joy, your physical therapist, called me to come inside the PT room. She wanted me to see that you could now sit up on your own from lying down. I literally cried! You see, I was getting impatient with your progress. We've been going to therapy for 6 months already and while you were improving very well, I wanted to see you like kids your age already. I guess you needed to do things in your own time.
 
We are so proud of how you've passed all your trials with flying colors. When I look at you now, a bright and happy baby, my heart is filled with joy. You have improved a lot compared to that little newborn whom I was afraid to leave us before her time. Right now, our goal is that you will soon be able to walk on your own, hopefully by your 2nd birthday. And I know that that is not far fetched. You love going around, cruising and exploring. Soon soon, you will just surprise us with your steps. And I long for that day. In my heart, I know this will come anytime.

I love your with all my heart!

Love,
Mommy

Cerise insists on feeding herself.


Cerise crawling around the house


Cerise walking with minimum assistance