Look Who's Walking!?

Matilda has been cruising around holding furniture for awhile now, and yesterday she started walking all around the house while holding on to our fingers.  Today she was testing her ability to stand and balance without support, when she decided to start walking on her own.  We were wondering what would define her first steps, but we're pretty sure this is it.  So much for stumbling out of the gates.

Stand Alone

Today Matilda stood alone and balanced unsupported for 12 seconds before slowly squating to the ground.  She's been cruising along furniture for a while now, but with her new balancing skills, she has also began walking everywhere with support.  As long as she can hold on to your fingers, she will take you where she wants to go.  Here's a little video of her getting some practice.

Official 9 1/2 month photos

Today Matilda had her 9 month photos taken.  Due to an unfortunate incident that shall not be named, we had to postpone a bit.  Tilly had a great time playing with her favorite photographers Mandy and Lindsay, their three cats, and Great Dane Stella.  "Read more" for the rest of the photos.

Growing

Matilda is growing like crazy.  It's so hard to even remember how small she used to be, but going back through pictures can be an eye-opening reminder.  Here's a comparison from less than a month to just over nine months.  Go Tilly go!

The Incident

Ice pack: $1.99.  Trip to the emergency room: $50.  Learning what "hot" means: Painful/Priceless.

Today we realized Matilda can get across rooms faster than we thought.  At least faster than the time it takes to pull dinner out of the oven.  She saw a new "ledge" and crawled across the room and was ready to pull herself up, but the oven door decided it didn't want to play that game.  Fortunately, she only got the top layers of skin, and despite some really ugly blisters, it should heal up nicely with no scarring.  "Read more" for more pics of her "paw" (and an update!).

San Francisco

Matilda visited the City by the Bay for the first time.  It was a quick trip but she had a great time!  "Read more" for the rest of the photos.

Say Kitty!

Matilda has been learning so many new things, but today she said what we consider her first word.  Other than mama and dada, she's just been babbling, but today she said "kitty" while trying to get closer to the cat.  We were lucky to catch her saying it a couple times on video.  She's known what "kitty" means, and now she can finally say it while chasing the cat around the house.  What a way to start off the new year!

New Year

She didn't quite make it to midnight on her first New Year's, but we lit sparklers for her anyway.  Here's to a new year and learning new things.