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If I could make this blink and play wild fanfares, I would.

Talia took her first steps!! Yay Baby!

Yesterday the winds of Hurricane Ike hit us here in Louisville, leaving 150,000 people without power, including us. Long story short, we really needed to do a certain load of laundry containing Talia's "blankie" before bedtime so we called up some friends who, happily, had power. While we were waiting for the laundry to dry we played out in the backyard with the kids. I thought it might be a good time to put Talia's new skills to the test. I have suspected for a few days that she might take a few steps, if properly motivated. So I sat down on the grass a few feet from Seth and coaxed her to "come to Mama." She wanted Daddy. So we switched. I helped her balance while Seth reached out. The game was on!

She "dove" back and forth into both pairs of waiting arms several times before she actually took the time to get her balance and step carefully. Eventually, though, she did take 2 or 3 careful, toddling steps before she met the waiting hands opposite.

I think she's "caught the bug." Later in the evening she wanted to walk from the foot of Benjamin's bed over to the rocking chair where I was sitting. And this morning, as we were opening a box that came in the mail, she took a couple of independant steps forward before she tottered over.

Her grin says it all (picture coming soon), she is having a great time, finally experiencing the independance of walking!