Look Who's Walking Now!

For the past month Everly has been threatening to walk. She has been scaling the walls of the "play area" and cruising around the furniture at lightning speed all summer long. Towards the end of August she started taking a step or two without holding on to anything if there was something (or someone) really close by that she could grab. About a week before her birthday we bought her what I lovingly refer to as her lawnmower, which quickly helped her build some confidence while speeding around the living room and mowing down anything that crossed her path (poor Bama!).

Two days after her birthday she decided to let go of her lawnmower and walk about six steps toward her Auntie Genell while we were all sitting in the floor opening her birthday presents. We all squealed with delight and I felt sure that she would be walking everywhere within the next few days. Boy was I wrong. She actually stopped taking steps altogether over the next few days and reverted back to crawling and cruising. 

Two days ago, out of nowhere, Everly walked across the entire living room right before bed time. I was sitting on the floor and I told her to come to me so we could put on her PJs. Before I knew what was happening she was walking across the room with her little arms straight out in front of her and the biggest smile I have ever seen on her precious little face. I froze and held my breath because I knew any sudden movement or sound from me would probably cause her to lose her concentration and fall. When she finally made it over to me she stumbled into my arms and nuzzled her head in my chest. She was so proud of herself. Of course all I could do was cry. 

I could hardly wait for her to walk again, but after that stellar performance she refused to try it again. Yesterday she went back to cruising and holding on to the walls, furniture, and gates. I was fully prepared for her to take another break, but apparently she woke up this morning and decided that today would be the day that she would walk. Luckily, our nanny was here with us today so I was finally able to catch all of the action on tape. Watch out world, here she comes!