I've not gotten much written on here lately, I've been tired and it feels like life's been busy. Sure that our eldest turning five last week hasn't helped my motivation to write despite having quite a few half written posts to finish.
But this is a massive milestone for our wee Elis. If you don't know him he probably looks about the age an average child sits at (our older two were 6 & 5 months old when they first sat unsupported) but he'll be turning one next week! He has had the most common form of dwarfism, achondroplasia, since birth and due to their disproportionate growth, larger than average head and spines that are susceptible to both kyphosis curvature of the spine and stenosis (pinching of the spinal cord). The former can result in not just back pain and bad posture but hunchback as well while the latter is far more dangerous as it means either loss of feeling and function of the lower half of the body and/or immense pain.
Because of some of the physical attributes that are common in those with achondroplasia (you can read more HERE) babies and children with achondroplasia usually hit their physical milestones later than average height children (their brains still develop as any other child's so do not assume that their shorter height means they are still babies inside!). So naturally all medical staff informed us to expect the same for his development. I have over the last year, however, learnt that just as with average height children, there is no "one size fits all" (no pun intended) in kids with achon either. Some do things earlier than average some do them later. Basically all babies do things their own way, no matter what size they are or what physical or mental disabilities they may have.
Elis wowed us by lifting his head steadily early on and gaining good head and neck strength much earlier than we anticipated (I blame him ALWAYS wanting to see what his nutcase sisters are up to). At 11 weeks he started rolling from his tummy to his back and I was sure that this would be his last early milestone, the only reason he seemed to manage the roll was his slightly too big head throwing off his balance. Then he somehow figured out how to roll the other way within a few weeks much to my disbelief. Suffice to say, when he started to pull himself forward in a commando crawl at 5 months I couldn't believe my eyes. Till that point he'd done everything EARLIER than his average height sisters.
It was so far from what I had prepared myself for, I had thought we'd have a pretty immobile baby for the best part of his first year. As a mum of three that was a bonus as long as his health was good otherwise! He continued with his crawl (it's a flawless slither now - he rarely gets up on his knees and prefers a commando crawl still) and at 7 months age started pulling himself up to stand. I was flabbergasted, this little dude could do so many things we had been told he wouldn't be able to do because of his stature and yet here he was.
In no time was he cruising along furniture and now several months later he's almost as fast walking along walls and furniture as he is slithering about. For all these feats though he's not been able to sit unsupported, he's always needed to balance himself with at least one hand. That is until this last week when for the odd second he's managed to stay upright. Finally, today, a week from his first birthday, he has managed several long stints! I honestly wouldn't have believed you if you told me he'd walk before sitting but there you go, babies make their own rules!
So this photo of him sitting by himself is an extra special one, it's a very precious milestone for this baby. Just a couple of weeks ago he started saying "Mamma" and this week he has started understanding waving and clapped his hands for the first time. He's has an eventful time of late!
P.S. I'm a little terrified of how quickly he'll suss out walking now because I'm sure now he's figured out his core balance he'll be ready to let go when standing soon. I am not ready for my baby to turn into a proper toddler, it's been the fastest year of my life so far.
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