Walking!!!

Ava. You did it. You walked. 6 whole independent steps. It was so amazing it made your mama and grandma cry. I wish your daddy could have been there. We were at Grandpa's and you walked from Mommy to Grandma.

This is a big day my baby girl.

The art of learning.

Ava and I have been practicing the skill of "taking things out and putting them back"
It has been maybe two days of working on this with her. We only "practice/play" for a couple of minutes before she gets bored and moves onto something else but it seems that something has stuck with her.

I say this with such pride in my heart. I witnessed the fruits of my "labor" tonight.

Let me set the scene. Our living room, post bath time, pre-bottle. It's her nightly play time. Ava was by her "desk", as usual, where all her books are. Next to her desk is her box of blocks. Tonight I sat and watched her quietly pick up a block from her box and place it on her desk. She looks at it. Looks at the box and picks up another one in which she places it on her desk.

(...Now, I guess placing is a very gentle term. It was more of a throwing action and she would jerk her hand away after she put it on the desk.)

After she had about 7 or 8 on the desk she would either throw them off over her shoulder or pick them up and put them back in the block box. For 30 minutes she sat there. 'Taking out and putting back'

I cried. I didn't sob, but I did cry. I was so proud.
It was profound moment in my life as a new mom. I taught someone how to do something. She took the skills that I lovingly taught her and put them to use.
For someone who constantly questions herself. Am I teaching her all the things she needs? Am I giving her the right amount of mental stimulation? This moment of action made all those worries disappear.
I'm a mom.

Let me say it again.

I'm a mom. Tonight,I think it really sunk in.

My eyes are swollen with tears and my heart is swollen with love, pride and honor to be your mom Ava.