First Step

Kaylee stood up unassisted and took her first step yesterday. She started standing up in the morning at home, which Kevin got to see before me. Then at our friend's house, she stood up by herself, and took one step toward me! It was so amazing! She hasn't done it since, but we know she'll start walking very soon. I bought Kaylee a 12month dress today. The first one I've bought. I couldn't believe she's old enough to wear it yet! Why can't they stay young forever? It's so hard to see my baby grow up.

A Tender Moment

Last night my Kaylee cried out in the night. There's nothing unusual about that, except she usually cries because she's woken up hungry, but this time I'd just fed her an hour before, so I didn't know what the trouble could be. I thought about letting her cry herself to sleep, but her cries became so frantic, I decided I'd better comfort her. She stood up to greet me with tears still on her cheeks, and I picked her up and held her close to me. Instantly she lay her head on my shoulder, and we stood, swaying as I stroked her back. Genty, and oh so sweetly, Kaylee reached her chubby arm and wrapped it round my neck, as her other arm squeezed my arm. There in that moment I received my first real hug from my baby girl. She quietly drifted off to sleep, and I was almost sad to leave her even though it was 2am. Imagine if I'd just let her cry. What a tender moment I would have missed.

Mis Dios

Kaylee surpassed another developmental mile stone today. She decided it was okay to leave my presence in order to play by herself with her toys. I could see her making the decision in her head, and off she went, away from me. It was a sad realization that from here on out, she'll be more independant, although it was also a relief because...well...from here on out she'll be more independant! Parenting seems to be a constant bitter-sweet emotion.

I'm teaching the youth in my ward to dance. Sad thing is I have to teach myself to dance first. They are trying to follow a clueless leader, but are handling it admirably so far. I called in my cousin Byron to help out, and he was a life-saver. All the teens loved him, and asked him to come back next week. At least I did something right.