A Kentucky mom was left stunned by what her 11-month-old asked her one day back in 2020.
Sheena Boggs (@messandmercy) posted a clip on TikTok of her toddler, Ellie, walking across the room and holding out a book. “Read a book, please?” she asked her mom.
“It was one of those small, ordinary moments that felt so sweet, I just had to record it,” the 36-year-old told Newsweek.
Sheena, who is also mom to Jaxon, 8, and 3-year-old Alexander with husband Chris, said that her daughter has always been eager to explore the world around her.
“She rolled consistently from belly to back at just 2 months old, then from back to belly by 3 months,” Sheena said. “By 5 months, she was crawling on hands and knees, standing unassisted at 8 months, and walking by 9.”
Sheena homeschools her three children and said she believes that, by talking to them all day, having constant conversations and reading together, it played a key role in Ellie’s early speech development.
When Ellie started walking and talking before her first birthday, the mom of three said she was both amazed and amused.
“She just seemed so determined to be part of everything her older brother was doing,” Sheena said. “I remember, when I was potty training him, she simply declared that she too was done with diapers, and that was that; fully potty trained at 18 months with no accidents just because she was done!”
It wasn’t just family and friends who noticed Ellie’s advanced milestones either. “My mom always said Ellie reminded her of me, because I was an early talker too and have the ‘gift of gab,’” Sheena said.
The family’s pediatrician also commented that Ellie was “developing beautifully” and encouraged the parents to keep nurturing her interests.
“Our chiropractor always commented—and still does—on how incredibly strong she was. I think most people were just shocked to see such a little one walking and chatting so clearly,” Sheena added.
Now 6, Ellie continues to thrive. Looking back at old videos, Sheena is “still blown away” by what she could do at such a young age.
“She’s bright and inquisitive,” Boggs said. “She loves to ask questions, read books, and explain things in her own words.”
After losing their first daughter during delivery, every milestone with their children holds special meaning for Sheena and Chris. “I never take a single one for granted,” Sheena said. “Whether they reach them early, late, or right on time, I just feel so grateful to watch them grow and become kind, thoughtful little humans.”
