Those Magical First Baby Steps

This post is sponsored by Similac. Although I have been lucky to be able to breastfeed all my babies, I’ve loved partnering with Similac over the years because my siblings and I were all Similac babies! 

My first three babies were all walking before their first birthdays. By the time that 365th day rolled around, they were all steady (ish) on their little legs, toddling around the house. I know the average age babies walk is all over the place place – and there is no pressure to meet this walking milestone for any baby! – but at our house it’s been pretty consistent.

Tally, on the other hand, celebrated her first birthday more than two months ago and has been more than happy to stick to crawling as her primary mode of transportation.

She’s super lighting fast and I love watching her crawl all over the house.

Cruising along furniture is also an acceptable method of getting around for her, but standing independently or even letting go of the furniture has been of little interest.

Then, about a week ago, everyone was getting ready for bed and when I came back to the family room, Bart was sitting on the couch talking to Tally while she held onto the coffee table and was pulling books off onto the floor (another favorite activity).

I said her name and she turned around and when I held out my arms, she let go of the table and took two tiny steps toward me.

It was such a tiny moment – baby first steps are probably happening every second of the day all over the world – but I was SO happy that Bart and I were both there to witness it.

We also acted as if we’d just won the lottery.

The other three girls came tearing in to see what the big deal was and we all kept trying to get Tally to walk again.

She was so cute, lit up with all the attention, and seemed convinced she knew how to walk now, continually letting go of the furniture and anxiously trying to take a step or two (mostly ending up in her falling on her little bum).

Since then, she’s continued to take a step or two here and there, but is still mostly interested in crawling.

But if you practice with her, she is so proud of herself, and I love watching her little face full of joy as she tries.

I know that parents all over the world are experiencing those first moments with their babies – moments that never can be recreated, and I love that Similac focuses on the  research and innovation that supports infant nutrition while also listening to what parents want for their babies.

Similac is the first and only leading infant formula brand with no artificial growth hormones, as all dairy ingredients come from cows that haven’t been treated with artificial growth hormones.*

Their Similac Pro-Advance and Pro-Sensitive formulas are also the first and only infant formulas with 2′-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharide** (or HMO, an immune-nourishing prebiotic previously only found in breast milk).  Similac with 2′-FL HMO helps strengthen baby’s immune system to be more like the breastfed infant than ever before.

If you think I can pronounce the word “Oligosaccharide” you are 100% wrong, but I’m glad to know it’s there! Visit the Similac Sisterhood of Motherhood Savings Club, where you can subscribe to monthly delivery at an average savings of 20% and learn more.

It’s such a magical thing to watch your baby grow and develop at whatever stage they are.

I love seeing Ella learning fractions and mastering more complicated board games.

I love watching Ani figuring out reading and learning to ride a two-wheeler.

I love watching Star learning dozens of songs and losing her mind with excitement over her tiny pumpkin plant that’s sprouting in the backyard.

And I love seeing Tally finding her balance and her tiny voice.

Those first moments are so thrilling at every age.

And I don’t want to miss any of them.

Legal Disclaimer: *No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rbST-treated and non-rbST- treated cows)

**Not from human milk

Breastfeeding is the gold standard. For moms who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, formula can be used. Talk to your pediatrician about what type of infant formula is best for your child.

This is a sponsored post written in partnership with Similac.