It's official: she's a toddler

Seriously, Sarah's walking. All by herself. She has an adorable routine that she goes through to stand up: she does a perfect downward-facing dog, then moves into a squat, then powers up to a stand. Her leg muscles are enormous. Then, grinning like a pint-sized maniac, she takes a few steps — actually, more than a few now! — and beams us a triumphant look when she either gets to where she was going or loses her balance and sits down. It's great.

Anyway, I offer evidence from yesterday morning:



Beth had just had me read her Fancy Nancy — again — and decided she needed to be fancy, ergo the dress-ups. It was about all we could do to get Sarah to keep the hair bow in. Though, come to think of it, later in the day she decked herself out in a feather boa and refused to take it off.

But the walking! She does it without coaxing, without a need for fanfare, and purely for the enjoyment of it. She can make it all the way across the room if she decides to, drunken-sailor fashion, and she's much steadier if she has something in her hand.

She's always had a great little booty dance, but it's even better seeing it out in the middle of the floor, where she isn't holding onto someone's hand or a piece of furniture. This is also the first footage I have of Beth dancing that isn't her twirlng around in a circle. I so can't wait to see these kids when they're going to junior high dances!



Okay, that's it with the videos. I'm torturing you all, I know. (Unless you happen to be a grandparent, in which case I'm guessing this post gets e-mailed to your 40 closest friends.)