big steps

I was just telling my friend Elaine at dinner last night that a month ago when I was very anxious about Coco's physical progress, I decided that when she started walking I would invite all of my friends for drinks and celebrate the momentous occasion. I had the event planned in my head. The way it would feel to finally be relieved from the worry of if, and more importantly when she would take those first steps.
A week ago Coco woke up from her nap, and just like that decided to give it a go. The video above are some of her very first independent steps. Now a week later she is walking around the house; granted she is still doing a lot of crawling she can walk. She seems most proficient when there is a goal in the visible distance. She is walking from object to object; person to person. Each day her confidence grows and her steps get faster. Her arms are still up in the air as if she is holding onto our fingers, or just finding her way of balancing.
What is most notable about her new stride is the pride you can see all over her face. She KNOWS she is doing something challenging, and she is excited about her accomplishment. There is determination in her eyes, heavy concentration, and when she finally gets to her destination - relief, glory, excitement, celebration.
And so she started walking, and not once did I think about having a party, or celebrating the occasion. My first thought and instinct was: my baby is growing up. My second thought was: she is clearly celebrating her achievement with each and every step. Just being around her and watching her move is better than any party I could have.
And of course when I got into bed that night the immense joy and pleasure I thought I would feel was actually a wee bit of melancholy, and reflection about her journey. We have come so far, SHE has come so far. It is only a tiny indication of where she is headed, with speed and determination, watch out world, Coco is on her way.