Milestones, I curse you with the foulest language!

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I just created a document to list the words I've heard Lizzie say. I count 14, but I haven't consulted with Nick or her grandparents to see if I've missed any. I'm doing this homework so when people question me about her development, I can say assuredly whether or not she is meeting her milestones. This week I was ashamed to not know whether she typically leads with her right or left foot, or if she often kneels while playing, and if so, are her hips bent or straight? What direction does the third finger on her left hand point while she lays in bed on the night of a full moon? There are so many things I didn't realize I should be noticing.

I hate all those stupid f**king lists of milestones. I can't articulate it any better than that.

So many nagging lists of things a child "should" be doing. I think "should" implies some moral imperative or an obligation to meet external expectations, and I swear the word doesn't apply to a baby.

That said, Lizzie is going through physical therapy for delayed gross motor skills, and going to be evaluated by OT and speech pathology for "issues" related to her eating preferences. We are doing this stuff because it's fun for her and it can't hurt and it might help and what kid of parent would I be if I didn't dig for miles to uncover any and every pathology that might impact her today or next month or ever?

To drown out the guilt and worry, I've made a list of milestones she is totally kicking butt at.




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