She Walks!

Over the past few weeks Danika has taken several steps ... one here, four there, 2 WAY over yonder ... but tonight ... tonight made every muscle, bone, organ, ligament and fiber in my body smile. Several times she has had this look in her eyes as she stands there, staring at something she REALLY wants, but there is this doubt that you can see penetrate her courage. 

Not tonight, though! I set her down on her feet and she leaned against the couch. I sat in front of her on my knees and coaxed her (how easily these kids turn us into idiots) ... and she came ... EIGHT steps! THen when I got the video camera ... she quit :) Until I moved across the room on the couch and replayed an old video. THAT got her attention! She came walking ACROSS the room just as fast as her little legs could move. AND I got it on video! A couple times she hears me cheering, she stops, claps her hands for a few seconds, then continues on. SOOOOOO CUTE!!!! She laughed the whole time as if to say "SEE! I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT!" Then she collapsed on her knees and scurried the rest of the way over and practically jumped into my arms. My girl :) 

It's amazing how, as a parent, you spend your day teaching them right from wrong (No HITTING! for the six zillionth time!) and daydream about what you might say when their heart gets broken or they have their first kiss. But sometimes, when you watch those little ones, it's very humbling to realize that there are times when you as a parent can learn more than you can teach. I learned tonight. Well, I remembered. I remembered that it's okay to be afraid sometimes, you JUST have to believe in yourself and the person waiting to catch you when you fall. If you've never done something you want to do, go ahead and try! What's the worse that can happen? You'll tumble over a big green monster.  And sometimes, when you succeed (or fail!) you just might get a cookie in the end. Or at least a big hug from momma. 

These little people. They can bring you to tears in seconds.