I forgot to document a milestone for Bryson… And what good is my blog if I don’t document the important things (because I don’t keep baby books)?

Bryson is sitting up, unassisted without props of any kind, and has since Sunday (11/10). He actually did it a week or so earlier than that during family photos, but we didn’t push it so I didn’t count it. I only count milestones when they’re really being done. He can’t roll over yet – he has no interest in moving, just like his brother 2 years ago – but he’s sitting up like a big boy. I remember asking the doctor last time if it was ok that Matthew was sitting but not rolling over, and she said of course it is because sitting is a more advanced accomplishment. Who knew? So this time, I’m not concerned.

Which brings me to a parenting realization. I just don’t care this time around when things will happen, because I know they will happen. Matthew sat up (early) before he rolled over, he crawled early, walked early, etc. If I had not listened to that doctor two years ago, I probably would have gotten caught up in his inability to roll (or lack of interest in rolling) and not helped him move on to other things. He did roll over, eventually (but I never even wrote down the date of when he did).

I haven’t worked too much on rolling with Bryson, and he’s still sleeping in the rock and play (but must get out of it this weekend since he can sit up now, and topple out, I suppose) which means he can’t roll even unintentionally in the night. Sure, I’m trying to give Bryson space and time to try to roll, but let’s face it – that’s hard to do with an active 2 year old this time around. The minute Bryson is on the floor, Matthew is beside him playing with and entertaining him. Forget putting toys out of his reach to encourage movement, because Matthew will just happily hand them to him. Bryson doesn’t have to roll to get to things – he has his big brother to get things for him 🙂

And the bottom line is – he’ll do it eventually. When he wants to.

I am a bit irritated with other mothers at the moment in regards to new milestones. Some of them have older kids who are rolling like champs but not sitting up yet. Mind you – Bryson is sitting rather early, so it’s not like their kids are even behind at all, but it seems to be an irritant. I very openly talk about Bryson not rolling over and about Matthew’s speech, with no excuses or explanations because there aren’t any, because things just are what they are. These other moms (and their friends) tell me that Bryson is sitting up because he’s so chunky and has a broader base. No, that’s actually NOT why. Matthew sat just two weeks later than Bryson and he was much thinner. In the next breath, these moms will tell me that he isn’t rolling because he’s too chunky. So which one is it – is he too chunky to do things, or does his chunk help him? You can’t have it both ways. It doesn’t even matter because they’re wrong given that Matthew was the exact same way and thinner.

Why are parents so catty? I don’t get wrapped up in it, and I don’t even correct them because who really cares? But it pisses me off. I thought we were all beyond whose kids do what and when, but apparently it starts over with baby #2. Unreal. All of this because I posted a picture on FB so my mom, who never sees my kids, could see that he’s sitting up. I never mentioned it to the other moms – I just posted the picture on FB to share it with my family. These moms took it upon themselves to bring it up, and then say that it’s because my kid is a chunk and their kid is thin. Do they know how ridiculous they sound?

I chalk it up to an age thing (I’m old and they’re quite a bit younger), but I don’t think it’s that simple. But whatever! I know we’re all defensive of our kids, I just wish some moms weren’t defensive by being offensive to others. GAH!

So yeah, Bryson is sitting up… on the floor, on the bed, in his brother’s chair, in high chairs at restaurants (huzzah!), EVERYWHERE without my help. It’s very freeing for me because it makes him so happy to be upright. When nothing will calm him down, I can set him in Matthew’s chair and (gasp!) walk away. I know this is going to bite me in the ass, but so far, there have been no injuries. I’m sure we’ll have more injuries once he’s rolling and I forget and leave him on the bed. HA!

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