Because Sarah was my first, I checked out nearly every book from the library pertaining to birth and child development. Preceding her birth I watched all of the Baby Whisperer, child CPR, and How to Care for DVDs I could locate. I listened to Brazelton, Hogg, Eisenburg, and anyone else I could find from topics like feeding, sleeping, books to read to her from birth to highschool, and even the diaperless baby (which we witnessed up close in China and the Philippines, but did not come close to attempting-but I read the book anyway). I knew baby sign language before she was 1 month old.
One of the bad things that I did was compare her development to the books. Like a test, we would actually 'study' for the next week of skills that the books suggested. I became puffed up because she was doing so well.
I judged her worth on her skills.
I am still puffed up about how well she is doing. This morning I read the "What to Expect in the Toddler Years" concerning the 17th month. They said that she should be able to use 2 words and may be able to identify 2 items in a picture by pointing.
Sarah can use 16 words, and identify 61 words by pointing (with her finger, eyes, or chin)...yes, I actually counted. How bad is that?
The book also said that she should be able to drink from a cup and walk up the stairs. Sarah can drink from a cup and walk down the stairs too. She mastered the slide by herself and hangs from the Monkey Bars by her hands and knees. She runs and jumps and gallups constantly (these were reserved for month 21) and can play soccer with the best of them (that was also month 21).
Is this book for physically slow children, meant to make parents feel puffed up like I am, or is Sarah doing awesome?
Anyway, as I write and ponder this, I realize that with my studying and reading, I often focus on Sarah's skills, and not her spirit.
Sarah is powerful.
Sarah is a missionary.
I am so blessed to have her for a while. She is so powerful, that I do not even consider her 'mine'. She is just on loan from Heavenly Father. She is so great that He reserves her His, and he just let us have a little joy for a little while.
Thanks for the joy.
For posterity's sake (this is somewhat of a journal for us), I wrote down some of her words to date:
Dog
Hot
Touch
Jump
Up
Down
Shoes
Hi
Kitty
Dad
Mom
Ball
No
Cheese
Book
Duck
Words that she can point to or sign if asked:
Horse
Ear
Tongue
Bunny
Telephone
Balloon
Please
Cow
Sheep
Pig
Apple
Ball
Baby
Hat
Eyes
Nose
Toes
Hair
Head
Jesus
Bird
Frog
Puddle
Belly
Elephant
Monkey
Teeth
Spider
Snake
Star
Dance
Turn
Sit
Chair
Run
Pray
Hug
Kiss
Gentle
Special Skills:
Jump
Run
Stairs
Gallup
Draw
Monkey Bars
Slide
Kick a ball
Missionary Work
The last one I added is her specialty. Andrew and I work with the Youth of our area. Sarah seems to pinpoint the ones who are the shyest or have the struggling testimony. She goes to those youth, and they are pulled into the bigger group by Sarah. She acts like a bridge and common ground for everyone.
Sarah has been attending Young Womens and 13-14 year old Sunday School for about 9 months, and she is a superstar in our ward. There is something sparkly special about Sarah. She loves the Youth and the Youth love her. Especially the shy ones.
Thank you for being a missionary, Sarah.
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