Houston, We have lift off

About a month ago, baby girl started taking one or two unassisted steps.

She beemed with proud.  We filled with pride – and fear.

Those 2 steps turned to 3.  Although, she was very trusting because when she was done she didn’t just topple, she just flung herself forward, assuming someone would catch her.  Luckily, we did!

Those few steps turned into long walks if you would hold her hands.  Yes, she is 16 months (today!) but up until about 15 months she would barely take steps even when holding hands.  Her comfort was to crawl, or walk along furniture.   While she is my brave one, the one who even when not walking would go down a slide at the park by herself (if you let her!) she was hesitant to walk.

Over the past couple of weeks, she finally decided that she would walk.  And run.  That was that.

Now I have a toddler.  Walking fast.  Stumbling a little, but getting back up and going.

Her and her brother  now play chase.  A game that sees both of them running/speed walking around the kitchen island, screeching (that’s an appropriate word) in laughter.  Cute and shrill but always someone gets hurt – usually she wipes out or her sweet brother decides that the chase game should also become tackle football. 

Seeing them play together is priceless.  I have to referee  a lot more than I’d like, but that comes with the territory.

It’s great that she is walking to play games with him.  Walking in the yard or to her destination.  It’s not great that she wants to take off when she shouldn’t sometimes.  But she’s walking.

And running.

That defines their life doesn’t it? We help them walk, but we sort of don’t want them to do it by themselves.  Then when they are walking, they always think they can run – but we still need to be there to catch them.  

Time is my enemy!!!