A major step

My little Andrea started walking this week.  For the last month or so she's been gearing up for it.  I could see it in her toes and the way she'd stand alone digging her heals firmly into the floor.  Occasionally, she would take one unassisted step if she was very close to another object she could hold on to.  Then on Sunday she just took off.  Standing at the fridge she decided she wanted be at the rocking chair so she took a step.  Then another and another and another.

Well, I lost it.

"PAUL!  PAUL!!!!!!!!! COME QUICK SHE'S WALKING AND IT SO CUTE AND YOU'VE GOT TO SEE IT SHE'S SO STEADY AND AWWWWWW SHE LOOKS SO PROUD OF HERSELF AND SHE'S DROOLING QUICK COME SEEEEEEE!!"

He ran into the room and she walked to him, panting and smiling.  We clapped and cheered.  I retrieved the camera and attempted to video the milestone.  But all of our exuberant attention and the excitement of seeing the camera proved too much for her and she dropped back to her hands and knees.

Everyday we are treated to more and more little steps, and with each step I feel as though I'm losing my baby and gaining a little girl.

Her first little hairdo.

But Andrea is not just becoming  any girl.  She is the ultimate girly girl.  This child puts everything on her wrists.  Hair bands, magic bullet rings, Christmas tree ornaments, you name it.  If it will fit over her hand she will wear it as a bracelet.  When I began to notice this, I was confused.  I don't wear bracelets-- where did she learn this?  Paul pointed out that my mom wears bracelets to church and if Andrea sits with her she gets to play with them.

Last week when I was changing the sheets in Andrea's crib I found four hair bands that she'd smuggled in at nap times.

Notice the hair band on her arm.

Hearing her little words is another reminder how quickly she's growing up.  Some of her favorite phrases are: good dog, hi daddy, hi chickens, what dat?, yeah, bottle, banana, tree, and mum.  She understands even more than she can say.  Today as I loaded the dishwasher I told her we had to add soap and she pointed to the soap dispenser on the dishwasher door.  I was so impressed; I didn't think she paid that much attention.  I went ahead and added the detergent and watched my tiny helper try to close the door.

Perhaps she's ready for some chores. ;)