There we were, eating dinner and watching Sky High, when Lee announced “Otter just walked! All on his own!”.

I whipped my head around but had missed the auspicious moment by seconds.
However, a few moments later the dog walked by, and Otter left the safety of the table and tottered across after her.

All by himself.

Then he did it again, tottering from me to Monkey. Little baby step by little baby step, a huge grin plastered across his face the whole way.

Monkey was shrieking “He walked!! He walked!!! Otter can walk!” at the top of her lungs. Her shrieking made Otter shriek his little high pitched excited giggle. I laughed, Lee laughed, the dog barked. Soon the room was filled with laughter and shrill shouts, a cacophony of joyous noise.

In the middle of it all, a young man, nearly one, who happily watched his family go completely nuts, after taking his first steps.

A perfect family moment, and all three of us were here to see it happen.

What’s that you have sister?
Is it sticky like tar?
It looks like something you’ve sneaked me,
while mom was driving the car.

I’ll reach for it and whimper
my head moving side to side
with my arms outstretched
and my mouth open wide.

Please… oh please…

Wait, what is this?
Mommy’s noticed my act…
is that… a lolly for me??
Yes it is, in fact!!

oooh! It’s easy to hold,
and sticky and sweet!

I can put it in my mouth,
and smear it head to feet!

It’s fun to rub on my eyebrow
and drag through my hair!

I can smear it all over myself
and my chair!!

Oh look, Mommy’s back,
she’s appalled at the mess!
All she says is:
“Off the shower I guess!”