a new era

Pins and needles, I tell ya-- pins. and. needles. That is what I've been on waiting for Blythe to truly start walking. 

She took her first steps on Mother's Day this year because, well, she is the best kid ever and saved that little treat for me. 

That was May. And we assumed, since she was 14 months then, that walking would be right around the corner. And everyday came and went and we would coax her and she would take a few steps and then go right back to crawling and we just assumed that the corner to turn would appear the next day.

Or the next?

Or the next?

And then she was 16 months old, it was July, the shoes I had bought her 4 months ago so she could walk and run and play outside this summer no longer fit her, and I gave up. She can crawl forever. She WILL crawl forever. The Beatles song, "Let it Be" floated through my head.

 

And then, one day we were playing and she just stood up. Just made up her mind and right there with nothing to hold on to, stood up like an adult would [albeit maybe an adult that had had one too many drinks, but stood up none the less], and then she just took a few steps like it was the most normal thing ever. 

She went back and forth to crawling some, but I would remind her to "stand up and walk" and she usually would. And then each day she just crawled less and less.

I started putting her in dresses because they are hard to crawl in. [I'm terrible, I know.]

And then this morning she was just walking in circles around the living room laughing at herself and her new ability. Literally just walking in circles and smiling. And that is when I knew I could official say I have a walker on my hands. 

Yes, she is well on her way to 17 months old and I know most kids [your kid!] probably crossed this threshold when they were, like 8 months old, but for us it is now and it is awesome. I get so excited when I hear her feet stomp stomping behind me as she follows me into the next room. I love when she is about to topple over and waves her arms madly, throws out her belly for balance, and catches herself and keeps on walking. I love it. 

It will probably be different with my last child, but with my first, I am relishing every new stage. I love watching her grow and explore and try new things. I love watching her mind expand everyday to grasp a new concept or understand a new phrase. I love watching her eyes dart back and forth over my face as I try to teach her a new word or sound. 

And now I get to love watching her figure out how to stop being a quadruped. 

I know that she will be into more things and that she can now carry items from one room to another and my neatly organized stuff will be everywhere, but she is growing and changing and it is exciting. 

Sure, it makes her seem like less of a baby and there are moments of sadness when I realize her pudgy ankles will probably work themselves out. And sure, I look at her walking and I already think, "Sheesh! What is next? Driving a car?!" because seriously the time just flies. But mostly…mostly… I smile and watch her explore her newest trick and I see the pride in her eyes with each step, and I'm just so thankful for a healthy, happy, exploring toddler.