Celebrating Milestones Not Just the Major Ones
Thank you Pampers for sponsoring this post and the giveaway too! We seem to spend our child’s first years celebrating milestones. But what determines which milestones we celebrate? And what about that baby that seems to reach them all a little later?
A child is born. We eagerly await for that child to start “doing”. A first smile. The first time he crawls. Her first word.
Not every child meets these milestones at the “correct” age. There are late walkers. There are late talkers. There are babies that want to take their time learning new things. The society in which we live seems to take these milestones as the deciding factor on how “smart” each child is.
Celebrating Milestones – The ones we forget:
I have decided to celebrate some smaller firsts that show me how much my baby is learning. Many of these are a great sign of proper development, in the same way that those first steps are. Here are some of the firsts we celebrated with our sixteen month old (who loves to crawl really fast):
- The first time he handed me something.
- The first time he looked me in the eye and spoke (even though it was in a language only he understood).
- The first time he stacked those cups.
- The first time he tried putting my glasses back onto my face.
- The first time he tried wiping my nose (or mouth) with a tissue.
- The first time he fed himself a cracker.
- The first time he fed me a cracker.
- The first time he waved goodbye.
- The first time he knocked on a door.
- The first time he climbed the stairs (which is actually a MAJOR milestone)
- The first time he climbed off the couch, feet first.
- The first time he clapped those little hands.
- The first time he bounced to the rhythm of music.
- The first time he unzipped his top and took it off.
- The first time he took off his pants while refusing to nap. And then his diaper.
- The first time he drank from a cup.
- The first time he managed to get the correct cover onto the pot, right side up.
- Every new sound his little lips make.
- Every new toy and game he masters.
- Every new flavor he agrees to eat.
- When he successfully flipped the light switch.
- When he learned to climb out of his high chair (yikes!)
My sixteen month old baby may not be able to walk. He might not say much. But look how much he can do! He may need therapy, which we will decide on in a couple of months. But while we focus on helping him learn all he needs to do, we will continue to celebrate everything he already can do. Even the milestones we sometimes forget to applaud.
Celebrating Milestones with Pampers:
For many years, and for millions of babies, Pampers has celebrated firsts. They were the first diaper our baby wore. Pampers Swaddlers are Pamper’s softest diapers, and will now accompany you through a few more “firsts”!
Pampers celebrates your firsts with you, and has created a video celebrating many of these first experiences we share. They celebrate all the first moments – both the big and the (ones we think of as) small.
About Pampers Swaddlers:
- Pampers Swaddlers is now available in size 6! They will now accompany you through a few more journeys and achievements, up to the eagerly-awaited milestone of potty training.
- Pampers Swaddlers is the softest diaper from Pampers. It offers up to 12 hours of overnight protection, wrapping your little one in blanket-like softness.
- Features a color-changing wetness indicator, so you know when to change.
- The Absorb Away Liner®protects delicate skin further, but pulling the wetness away.
- Pampers Swaddlers is the #1 choice of hospitals in North America, and the first diaper worn by millions of babies. Now, that’s a first to celebrate!
Party with Pampers:
Come join the Twitter Party on Wednesday, February 11th at 9pm EST
To RSVP, Click here.
To participate, follow the hosts @DoubleDutyDivas, @BridgetteLA, @CeceliaMecca, @AngieKcom @WhatMommiesNeed @RamblingChick, and our sponsor @Pampers
Connect with Pampers:
Did your child reach the milestones at the “right” age? Which “minor” milestone did/do you celebrate?
Enter the Giveaway:
Pampers has sponsored an amazing giveaway! One winner will receive the following prize package, worth approximately $100:
- Pampers Wipes
- Pampers Swaddlers Size 6
- “Love You to the Moon and Back” Necklace
- “Guess How Much I Love You” Board Book
- Baby’s First Year Keepsake Calendar
- $50 AmEx Gift Card
Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Giveaway runs from Feb. 3, 2015-Feb 16, 2015 and is open to the US only.
Disclosure: This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine. Moms and Crafters is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Prize will be fulfilled by the sponsor. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, before another winner is chosen. Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter are not endorsing or liable for this giveaway.
My favorite is the first word….I love when they start talking!
My child reached all her milestones properly.
my baby is only 5 weeks so no real major milestones. But we have celebrated her staying awake (rather than sleeping after each feeding), cooing non-stop, having her first bath, and eating more than 3 oz per feeding.
Cooing is a great example – it’s the first step toward social interaction! It’s the first sign of speech and social development…
The first laugh!
We celebrated the first word, priceless!
Yes both of my kids reached there milestones at the correct age, and we did celebrate, like when the learned to crawl.
An important mile stone was when my child was taught to use the potty and he learned at the age of two and we were just happy ..
My son met milestones within normal limits. We love the first smile, first laugh, love the cooing and mimicking coos, waving, clapping, pretty much every minute is amazing.
My daughter has seemed to reach all her milestones on time. I think the one that sticks out most in my mind is when she said mama and dada.
Both of my daughters reached all of their “Milestones” at the proper times, but I think any “first” is equally as important to any child during their development.
My daughters reached their milestones at the right time. We celebrated both of my daughters walking!
my son walked at 10.5 months; he was in a hurry to walk, wanted to keep up with me, I guess.
I have a 7 month old who has started to crawl but no teeth yet. That is her biggest milestone yet!
I remember when my first son started waving bye bye. He waved backwards. It was so cute.
The biggest milestone is when my son waved Goodbye to me when I was going to work. That cute little face waving goodbye and saying goodbye was so precious!
The minor milestone we celebrated was my daughter being able to switch a toy from one hand to another. I don’t remember exactly how old she was, but I remember it was exciting.
So far yes she has met the milestones at age. We celebrate all her milestones
A big milestone that neither of my daughters reached was walking by age one. My oldest was 15 months and the youngest 20 months when they walked. I was honestly grateful! Each milestone is so precious no matter when they achieve it.
We just celebrated her stop of the use of the bottle.
We celebrated first steps. We hit all the milestones also.
All of my children met there milestones/
#3 seems to be a little late with his words so we are taking him in for a hearing test next week.
My twins were a bit behind with their milestones because of their size at birth
My son hit all of his milestones early or on time. Our favorite milestone is when he started walking.
My youngest daughter walked at 9 months old. Guess she was tired of seeing all the other kids running around.
mine was the firs time he started walking some
My baby has not reached all the milestones when other people say is the right time. He goes at his own pace. We like to celebrate him standing up, putting toys away, sharing with others, and clapping his hands!
Due to a genetisc disorder we have not reached milestones at the appropriate times but we celebrate every milestone the biggest was walking at 2 years 4 months
Our daughter reached her milestones at the appropriate time. The ones I cherish the most are clapping, cooing, waving, laughing and smiling.
All 4 kids have reached milestones on time. We always celebrate first steps with new shoes!
I don’t have kids, but we celebrate my nieces milestone’s by making a scrapbook. The most recent one was learning to ride a bike.
Yes, my kids met their milestones in the correct range, they weren’t early walkers or talkers but it happened when it should.
We celebrated their first steps.
we celebrated the first walk and first time go potty
Yes, so far she has reached all of her milestones.
my son was a little late with his milestones, because he was born a month premature. He has caught up now!
My kids were spot on but I noticed my grandkids reach milestones at different ages. It has a lot to do with parenting and personality, I think.
Yes she did, she was a little early on a few things. My favorite is their first words, I love hearing their sweet little voices.
We celebrate all milestones,from the smallest like eyes first opening,first smile, to the growing stages such as crawling,walking.I think its important to enjoy all these special moments as you and your child bond in them.My only wish is that even though there forever a photographic memory and go by so fast,that they can last forever.I feel like in a blink of an eye our children go from being dependent to independent,cherish every moment,milestone and give praise,praise praise.
Aww this is sweet. I think my little man reached all his ahead of time except for peepeeing in the potty, he still wont do that lol.
Both our kids were pretty spot on for milestones. A fun one was walking and talking.
My kids did reach their milestones at the correct time, but I found as they grew up that everyone eventually caught up to each other at all the different levels.
My son walked a little later around 14 months. He preferred to crawl! He did excell in all things related to eating though. He drank from a cup, used a fork and “more” was his first word. He loves to eat! I do have to say though. My cousin walked late and she is now on the usa team for running.
Such an encouraging story – thanks for sharing!
Love milestones like first words and first steps.
The only milestone he hit on time as a baby was walking – we had to start classes for speech and other things. However he taught himself to read at 3 years old and has continued to learn pretty much on his own he is now 5 and reads at a second grade level.
Hearing that is so encouraging – thanks!
We definitely celebrated when he waved hello and goodbye! That was one of my favorites!
I had one child that reached milestones at the right age and one that didn’t! They couldn’t be more different in that way, but I celebrated each milestone they reached just the same.
My kids were pretty much on key with their milestones. We celebrated each milestone with pictures or videos of them meeting their milestones!
Maureen
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I think that one of the “minor” milestones that got me excited was when they cut their first tooth. I made sure that I took pictures of their first tooth 🙂
Yes, my little one knows how to crawl now. He likes to reach and tap on my laptop all the time!
My kids reached their milestones pretty much right on time. My favorite first was their first steps.
My son reached all of the milestones.
Both boys met most milestones according to schedule — as a mother I have enjoyed every milestone (big and small). Difficult to say we celebrated them — it would be more that we enjoyed them.
I loved the first full sentence! She said “Can i have that?” at the grocery store!
Aw, clever girl knows how to get what she wants!! 😉
My little girl reached milestones “on time”. From sitting, to rolling over, teeth coming in, saying Mama and pulling to standing position. We celebrate by recording these precious times to make sure we never forget! Thanks for the chance to win! Julie [email protected]
Oh he has been pretty close on his milestones! We get excited for each new milestone, but just celebrate the birthdays!
The first little glimpse of a word is something we all go crazy over.
No kids. I think your son’s milestones are amazing. Celebrate!
Thanks for the contest.
both mine reached their milestones pretty much ontime except for a little speech delay due to the bilingual environment. celebrated by taking lots of photos and journals
Everything but talking for my 3rd child she still does not talk
My oldest child a son climbed out of his crib and was walking at 8 months. We were so happy!
I think my baby is advanced, she has met all her milestones early! But I tend to be a little biased, as I am her mom … 🙂
My child reached the milestone at the age of 3 and it was an awesome feeling. He started to play with his toys and enjoy them as much as seeing me around him. I loved it so much.
My son has been “early” on his milestones. He was crawling at 5 months and walking at 9. My favorite was walking and we celebrated!
Our children reached milestones either early or on time. We celebrate major and minor milestones. My favorite is the first real word.
My son is on track for his milestones.
We celebrated the first time my son ate table food – it was at Thanksgiving dinner, of all times!
My daughter was an earlier crawler and has been a little late in talking, my favorite milestone was hearing her giggle for the first time
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Are you on an updated browser? That’s my best suggestion. Others are managing to enter, so the form is definitely working…
yes I am. I’m not sure what the issue is . this is the only one I seem to have problems with, this type of form loads fine on all other blogs I have gone to. Thank you for your help though. 🙂
My kids all met their milestones in their own perfect time. For the most part, they were pretty much in accord with this list. Funny how worried I was when one of them did not “accomplish” a particular milestone by the recommended time. They all turned out perfectly fine.
My kids were pretty much on schedule with their developments. I especially enjoyed their first smiles.
My son is on track. I love his first word.
when she first smiled!!
I have 5 kids and so far they have all reached their milestones right on time. I think my favorite milestone as of yet would be their first giggle
My son was behind on his development. We learned he was autistic so it was even more exciting I think when he did reach a milestone.
Right now the idea that our 2 year old should know 50-70 words is crazy to us, she knows probably 30 or so. But starting about 2 weeks ago she is saying and repeating words like crazy, we all just have to remember that every baby is different!
Yes pretty much right on track, and we celebrated the first clap about 6-7 months old.
My youngest did not meet his milestones on time because he was born 13 weeks early, but that was expected of him. We celebrated his first milestone of rolling over that was a huge accomplishment for him.
My kids have been on track it seems-we always got a kick out of baby’s first laugh.
Yes my daughter reached the milestones at the right ages. My favorite milestone was when she smiled at me.
My 16-month old daughter just started blowing kisses.
My kids reached all there milestones just about right. (So Far) The thing I always clap about is holding and drinking from a sippy cup. Makes me excited for them because now they can taste so many different juices.
Yes, he reaches the right age milestones. I celebrate eating from a spoon from the first time as a small milestone.
I thought it was great when he first giggled when playing with toys
Three of my sons walked at 9 months, but one son did not walk until he was 14 months. He was a climber though!
“my child” is my great granddaughter who is in my life every day. She is amazing in so many ways and I can’t believe how quickly she is growing up! At 19 months she is saying so many things and is so strong and inventive.
My kids seem to hit their milestones on time.
I am pregnant with my first, so I will know in a few months!
I am currently pregnant with my first, so no milestones reached yet…but I am so looking forward to all of them!
With 5 kids some reached milestones at different times than others, especially my preemie, but they eventually hit them. I always say they just need time.
Yes, I love first smiles.
I haven’t experienced this yet but I can’t wait to start our family this year!
Congratulations!
My youngest son reached his milestones early or on time. My oldest took a bit longer than average on some milestones. I think we did too much for him. The first time both of them started to eat by themselves I was overjoyed.
Yes, my daughter seems to be right on track developmentally. Love watching her hit those milestones. I was actually really excited the first time she lifted her arms up to be picked up by me. That was a cute surprise.
Aw, that’s so sweet! Hadn’t thought of that one! My baby just started doing that at 15 months – and I love it!
I am pregnant now with my first so right now I am just celebrating ever week I make it through without any problems!! can’t wait to experience my baby’s milestones!!!
Congratulations!
My kids always reached the milestones a bit early. We like to celebrate their first smiles and laugh
My daughter started walking at 10 months. I was so proud of her!
Neither of my kids met milestones in the order most kids do. They made their own paths!
Our grandson reached his milestones at the right time. We celebrated him loosing his first tooth.
Our daughter seems to be “early” on milestones. Sitting up has been the first one.
She is ahead of her milestones
My daughter has always been a little behind on milestones but catches up quickly
My favorite was when she first said mama
we celebrate all of them! no matter when they reach them!
My 4 children have met most of their milestones timely, some earlier than others. My favorite recently though was when my 21 month old was able to put a spoon in his mouth without dropping everything that was on it. He still likes to make a mess on his high chair but now when he does it it’s on purpose.
I saw my granddaughter pull herself up to the standing position yesterday and I was clapping. She just had a huge smile on her face b/c she knew how proud grandma was of her. Seeing my daughter smile for the first time made me cry, That was about 29 yrs ago. Her smile still fills my heart with love. My granddaughter smiled when she was about 5-6 wks old and hasn’t stopped. She is my sweet girl. So many firsts to look forward to. Thanks 🙂
My daughter reached all her milestones on time except walking. She was delayed and later we found out she has Epilepsy. So her coordination wasn’t good.
My boys tended to reach them on time. I enjoyed it when they were able to successfully catch and throw.
Our grandson reached all the major milestones on time except walking. He had to have hip surgery at 4 months. He was in a brace before the surgery and then in a body cast for four months followed by another brace during the day. We did celebrate his rolling over when he did it in the body cast!
Loved all the Milestones!
Reached before or right at the age it should have!
Loved getting into the toddler bed!
We celebrated First steps because they were so exciting.
thanks for the chance to win this prize
My girl rolled over the day she was born (about 5 minutes old) from back to belly, the room just erupted with excitement. The very next day she favored daddy with her first smile. I’ll never forget those moments.
thats too funny, my son was right on time with development and my daughter is a little behind with speech but no huge problems, we make a big deal about almost every things, we take pictures for everything from biancas first tooth the other day to first day of school, and we keep hair from haircuts and all the teeth,lol. school drawings and artwork, 100 percent tests,lol. its so hard to throw it all away,lol.
Haha! I’m glad I’m not alone in this 😉
Our oldest was born at 32 weeks so he didn’t typically reach all the milestones according to age. I think we celebrated every milestone. Loved the first smile
Potty training was a challenge
My kids all reached their milestones at different ages (one was a preemie) but we always celebrated every one!
My daughter met all of her milestones on time or even a little early. We celebrated everything by taking pics and I have a scrapbook calendar for all her firsts. First bite of baby food was carrots and I got a funny pic of her gagging with her eyes crossed.
My son was early on all his milestones except talking. He was a late talker, he babbled up a storm but didn’t talk
The milestones were reached a bit early which was exciting and all of them were so much fun. Learning to solid foods was a sweet milestone.
i was beyond blessed with our first to have her reach all her milestones on time and am hoping the same for our baby on the way.
my children all reached their milestones on time or early. I was blessed to have amazing children, so they were no challenge.
So far my daughter has been right on track with all of her firsts. I usually take pictures or video to capture them.
Both of mine were right on time or early. We celebrated that first tooth for one milestone!
I have 3 children.. our older two are now 11 and 4. They both reached their milestones well within the recommended ages 🙂 With our youngest, she is also reaching her milestones, many she is reaching early which is very exciting but I also wish she would slow down because I know how fast the time goes! My favorite milestone is definitely their first smile and the first time they grip my finger in their tiny little fist <3 I love to take pictures and put them in their scrapbooks, and of course call my husband to share! My husband is a Lineman and misses out on a lot since he travels for his job, so I make sure to text and send tons of pics so he doesn't feel left out 🙂
All of my kids reached their milestones at the right times, expect for walking. My girls were late walkers.
My oldest was a little behind in some things, the biggest one we celebrated was smiling 🙂
my youngest was expected to be developmentally delayed due to complications during birth, but he’s actually always been a head of the game. 🙂
While my son was growing up, he reached his milestones at a pretty normal rate. Some things ahead and some things a little behind. A milestone we celebrated was his being able to walk. So fun.! Now my grandson is experiencing his own milestones. 🙂
The first time giggling was a big one for us. Both of my girls reaches their milestones in the time they were suppose to.
Both of my children reached their milestones at just about the right age. We celebrated their first steps by doing a happy dance with them. I am not sure who loved it more!
In my family my sister and brother an I walked between 13 and 14 months. I was surprised when my 4 sons walked between 10 and 1/2 and 11 months. We celebrated by cheering and putting up gates.
our newest baby seems to be way ahead of schedule. We are sure to rasie every new thing she does, big or small.
my kids did reach about all the milestone when they should but my favorite was the first smile or giggle
My kids were pretty much on schedule with their developments. I especially enjoyed their first words.
my kids all had their firsts right on schedule if not a little ahead of it. my youngest is a little behind on speech though.
She is currently reaching her milestone ahead of time.
Mine reached all on time, but he was a slow talker! Hoping the new one reaches hers as well!
My daughter hit her milestones at the regular time. I don’t only have a baby book, but a book, box and bag. Didn’t want to forget anything.
Yes my son reached his milestones at the ‘right’ age. We celebrated first steps.
My daughter hit all her milestones except for speech because when she turned a year old to two years she had severe ear infections that nothing helped them. So she couldn’t hear anything really the whole year until she got tubes. She still has problems with her ears and still having speech issues.