Steps

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau

My daughter didn't just take a few steps yesterday; she absentmindedly walked from the kitchen table to her exersaucer, then looked at me with big eyes when she realized what she had done.  When she looked at me, I held out my hands and said "Come here, honey!" and she took the five or so steps to reach me, giggling the whole way.  I scooped her up in my arms, breathless.  "You can walk, honey, you can walk!"

I grabbed the video camera and captured her third attempt at walking.  She ran.

I think her drummer is very different.

I'm just busting my buttons.  My nine month old girl can walk!  She showed her Daddy several times last night, and when I left the room to make her bottle, she walked after me about half the way, then dropped down to all fours.  I wouldn't say she's going to be walking everywhere, all the time, but it won't be long.

I am so proud and excited for her, with just a tiny heartache on the side.  But mostly proud, especially when I see her face while she's doing it.  She thinks she's the cleverest baby ever, and she may be right about that.