Good Day

Oh my heart, my heart!

Avery started walking today. Our baby girl. Walking.

She's been working on it for awhile now. Taking steps here and there, but always with our encouragement, and always with our outstretched hands just inches away. While visiting Oregon last week she seemed to be gaining confidence and stability, going three whole steps before landing in my own mother's arms, but she wasn't quite sure if she actually wanted to do it yet.

And then tonight, as we were in the basement watching a movie (Trav and I sitting on the couch), she just turned from the table she was perched up against and walked all the way across the room to us, one teetering little step after the next, like she'd been doing it her whole life.

And the best part of it all wasn't that she was walking-- I have never been too concerned about the rate at which my baby achieved milestones. The best part was the absolute joy and thrill in her face as she looked to us, beaming with pride and satisfaction at what she could do. A look that I am sure was mirrored back by our own faces as we tried to sort of stifle our cheers of excitement so as not to startle her. And there we were, all of us, just circling shear glee to one another as she made her way closer, almost stumbling at the absolute fullness of the moment. A brilliant moment. The very best. One that every parent and child share at some point I assume. But gosh it sure felt special. Like a miracle.

And it was!

And oh how I hope that she will always look to us with that same pride and delight at her accomplishments, and know without a doubt that we are just utterly smitten with her and so lucky that she is ours and we are hers. Truly.

What a good day.