Toddler Tumbling on My Heartstrings

So, Ella is walking.  Well, still learning to walk is probably a more appropriate way of phrasing it.  It is very exciting and quite cute… and extremely scary.  This toddler stuff is serious business.  And seriously frightening.  Example:

In a two-day period Miss Ella managed to scrape her face and knock a tooth loose.  All within two little tumbles.  My goodness.  Turns out though that scraped noses will heal (Aquaphor does wonders) and teeth will settle back in.  Oh, and busted lips will heal too.

After Tumble #1:  Face Meets Concrete

But what about broken hearts?  Mine, to be exact.  Sure Ella shed a few tears, for thirty seconds (I’m not even 100% convinced that the tears weren’t because Mommy made her come play inside after the tumble), but I still feel terrible every time I get a glimpse of her little scab.  I try to remind myself that this stuff is normal, I have a toddler.  But then it got me thinking...

Is this the beginning of letting go?  So soon?  I know this all sounds a wee-bit dramatic, but hear me out.

On one hand, my brain tells me-- These things are normal, they will happen (again), she will heal.  She must learn to fall and pick herself back up.  But, my <3 tells me (and maybe a bit of the overprotective Mommy in me)-- Just pick her up, carry her, protect her from ever falling again.  Protect her from getting hurt.

Do I listen to my head or my heart?  I think I know the answer, but can I accept it?

Both.  Protect her, but let her learn.  Hold her hand, but let her toddle and even tumble.  Let her find her own footing.  If she tumbles, help her get back up.  Give her an extra kiss or two.  Most importantly though, let her try again, and again, and again.  I think that's the right answer, but then...

The real answer to my question is:  It is isn’t it?  It’s the beginning of letting go.  Possibly the very first step.

Yikes.  How does this stuff happen so fast?  #TooBigTooFast