maybe he sleeps too much

My baby is a mother's dream. He loves to go to bed. He enjoys having his teeth brushed. He eats anything you put in front of him. And he is practically a bathtime fanatic. I am beginning to think he's part fish.

However, this boy, 18 months as of yesterday, still doesn't walk. Our wonderful, laid-back doctor spent a long time observing Elliott during his routine checkup today. This boy is bright, interactive, good natured, focused, cuddly and, frankly, just doesn't care to do anything he doesn't want to. Three months ago he wasn't crawling or standing or transitioning from lying to sitting. Today he does all of this and more. But try to get him to put one foot in front of the other and he'll promptly sit down. He's progressing the way toddlers do, he's just a few months behind. Is this so bad? Our doctor wasn't quite sure and recommended maybe seeing a neurologist just to be sure.

As we finished up the appointment, I offhandedly remarked that one thing Elliott does excel at is sleeping. At this our doctor perked right up and flashed a great big grin.

"Well, that could be it," he said. "If he's consistently sleeping more than other kids his age, he's not getting as much time to learn."

Every child is such a beautiful mystery. We have one who loves to sleep and snuggle. Who shrieks with joy at the sight of an animal or the sound of water pouring into the bath. Who sobs when his brother scolds him. Who belly laughs during a game of peek-a-boo. Who talks and talks and talks to nobody we can see about nothing we can understand. Who gamely crawls over, stands up and drops a ball in my lap to initiate a game of catch. And whose smile nearly brings us to tears every time we see it.

Maybe he sleeps too much. Maybe that's why he's not walking yet. Or maybe it's just one small gift we've been given. Extending the length of time we get to have our last beautiful boy as a baby.