FINALLY

Matthew is FINALLY walking. I don't know what in the world took him so long. He's been cruising since 8 months, so it was never an issue of physical strength. Even when he was a week old, he wanted to stand up on straight legs. Here's the play-by-play of his walking progress:

8 months: Matthew begins cruising constantly, frustrating himself (and Mommy) because he WANTS to walk and can't.

10 months: proficiently walks holding on to fingers of adults. "Any day now!" Except not.

12 months: my self-imposed deadline comes... and goes.

12 and a half months: he is able to walk holding just one hand (although he initially continues to side step, as though he's still cruising).

13 months: to the day (May 25), Matthew takes a few steps in front of our entire house church.

13 months and two days: Matthew starts standing up on his own... and then sits.

13 months and six days: At Little Gym, he stands up completely nonchalantly and takes four very confident steps before falling. Totally random.

13 months, one week and two days: Matthew takes ten steps, his new record. He continues to experimentally try several steps at once, laughingly falling to the ground each time, then ending with applause for himself.

13 months, one week and four days (today): He begins using walking as a means of transportation. He's still very aware that crawling is much more efficient, but I'm hoping each day will bring more walking and less holding of many many pounds of wiggly mass.

So we're pretty excited at our house about this new development (Ellie kept reassuring me that Matthew would walk "maybe when he's four"). But man, if we thought he wreaked havoc as a crawler, I can't even fathom how much more chaotic our house will look once he gets it down.

He's discovered standing on things, so he'll push stools, books, Ellie's toy microwave, etc. over to something he can't reach in order to get higher. Today he was THIIIIIS close to grabbing my chef's knife off the counter. ACK! I'm kinda proud that he figured out how to boost himself, but it's pretty scary, the things he attempts sometimes. What's funny is he has no idea how to get down. He'll be standing on this little footstool, get whatever he wanted (usually food), then start crying because he's stuck. A little sad, but mostly funny. He hoisted himself onto the coffee table today on his tummy. His feet were about an inch and a half away from the ground, but he couldn't figure out how to get down.

So next time you see Matthew, he will officially be a toddler. Finally.

Wait! That's kinda sad! I won't have a baby anymore... just two toddlers. Actually, Ellie's pretty much a kid now. She says, "I'm almost a grown-up!" Sigh. Let me just stop you now before you say it, I'm NOT pregnant nor do I plan to be again anytime soon. I just really love having babies...