28 Days of Loving Lily: Day 26- Your Determination

In action!

Adorable Lily,

What I want to tell you about today is how much I love your determination.  It is a character trait that will carry you far.  Whether it is figuring out how to climb up onto a chair or onto the couch, or learning to use your spoon and fork or turning the TV on and off by yourself,  well, you just do not quit  practicing until you get it figured out.  The best part of when you do figure something out are the proud and frequent, "Ta-daaa's!"  that often accompany your triumphs.  Lately the three primary things you have been working on mastering have been zippers, putting on your own shoes and walking down the stairs.

When we moved into our new house, you had never consistently been in a place that had stairs let alone been taught to climb them.  But you quickly set out to learn how to crawl up- which did not take long for you to master at all!  There were some tense (for Mama) moments as we practiced learning how to go down the stairs backwards on your tummy.  You picked up on that quickly as well and now, when you don't feel like walking, you just zip on down on your belly- and you are FAST!  There are times when I still try to carry you down but you quickly remind me that you want to do it yourself.  Thank goodness we still have baby gates up because I have a feeling that you would be zipping up and down without my knowledge which makes me nervous! Someday we will take them down for you, but not yet sweetie pie.  Mama is still too much of a nervous-nelly about the stairs.

Lately we have been practicing walking down facing forward and holding onto the railing...and you are doing AMAZING with this new skill.  Sure there are wobbly days and times when you stumble a little bit, but we are right there beside you holding your hand and cheering you on.  Sure it takes longer, but we know in our hearts that these precious days when everything is new will not last forever and we will wish them back.

We are so proud of you for picking up this new ability by sheer determination and practice.  It is fun to watch you focus and to see how proud and happy you are with yourself when you are doing well as you cautiously step, step, step down the stairs.  You are a joy and an inspiration to your Mama's heart.  I can only imagine what you will be able to accomplish in your lifetime and I just hope I can simply keep up with you!  You are one amazing little gal and I am beyond proud of you!