Rio Walks It Out

I knew this day was coming.  She's been standing up all on her own and cruising around on furniture so, it was apparent that pretty soon my little baby would be fully upright and walking around.  I was sure we had at least another month before the walking began but in true Rio style she amazed us all last night by suddenly walking half way across the room.  It was pretty much the cutest thing I have ever seen to watch her chunky, over-achieving thighs waddle across the floor.  And even though it ended in a face plant, it was glorious!  She even had the consideration to wait to do it when Mama & Papa where both in the room and we had the Flip Cam within reach.  Such manners!
It is a momentous occasion and I have decided instead of getting all emo about how quickly my little baby is growing up, to use this event as a chance to stop and reflect on all the amazing things Rio has in store for her.  Now that she has mastered the art of staying balanced & strong on her two little legs she will be ready to:

RUN!  Run towards adventure and excitement and opportunities.  Run around the bases after her first Homerun.  Run full of joy with her big sisters by your side.  Run away from negativity and hate, from things that oppress and try to tear her down and from things that are just too scary.

DANCE!  She will bring us all many smiles and lots of laughter as she discovers the joy of rhythm and invents her own style of groovin'.  I can't wait for the first time she dances down 24th & Mission streets with Loco Bloco in Carnaval!  When she finally makes the move out of her stroller and shakes her little booty in her sparkly costume.  And the first time she takes the stage to perform and blow us all away as Justice and Chuli have done.  I promise to be there in the front row, cheering loudly for every releve, leap, spin, chasse and hip roll.

TRAVEL! Even though the girl already has some stamps on her passport, she can now take her own steps to discover the world.  She will not let borders contain her.  She will climb pyramids, stick her toes in all of the world's oceans, climb trees in the rain forests and leave her foot prints on every kind of soil our planet has to offer.

and last but definitely not least...we get to start her sneaker collection!  From her first pair of Js to collecting a pair of kicks in every color of the rainbow we will definitely have a blast keeping your walking-feet flossy.  

Of course there will be the times when she trips, falls down, walks down the wrong street and when her feet will be achy and tired.  During those moments Mama, Papa and big sisters will be there to pick her up and hold her hand when she needs a little support.

So Baby Girl, just keep on putting one foot in front of the other, we all can't wait to see the magic and power those cute pudgy toes contain!