the little engine that could

Everyone told me that Lucy would walk early, to keep up with her brother and sister.  She did keep up - but it was not on her feet!  Over the last few months, she's finally been ready to walk w/ our help.  We really had to work with her on it, because she just didn't want it that badly.  At about 18 months, she was able to ("drunken monkey") walk across the rug between Luke and me.  Here she is on one of her first days of taking steps - 

For the last 3 weeks or so, she's wanted to walk, but hasn't been confident or able to do it alone.  She would say "awking, Momma!!" all the time - sometimes in a loud scream - to get me to hold her hand and walk around with her.  She's now 19 months, and it all just clicked for her in the last few days.  She discovered that she can "awking" anywhere!  By herself!  It's been so fun to see the pride on her face as she's toddled around the house, yard, church, library, park, etc.  All of the places that were her scooting territories are new to her!  I'm loving having her up and about.  She's so cute when she walks into the room with her arms flapping and a smirk on her face.  She'll look up at me and say "awking!  self!"  So fun.  I'm also very impressed with how quickly she has moved from barefoot walking to princess shoe walking!  I'll try to get a pic of that one...