Walking !

By now, I'm sure no one is surprised when I say that E.R. took her first steps on her own yesterday. Three days after getting her leg, and probably the 5th time she had practiced with it.

We were practicing out in the cul-de-sac and G.J. (who is a Pop-It lover) had a big Pop-It he was popping in front of E.R. (who is also a Pop-It lover). She got so excited that she pulled her hands out of mine and covered her mouth in an exaggerated giggle. I looked down in surprise as she stood steady on her own!

Our neighbors were with us and very excited for her. I cautiously let her take a few tipsy steps, and then she took off down the street! I caught her as she was falling after stepping into the curb. She walked up our short driveway, and we went inside to take a break.

The funny thing is that all of us watching were waiting for her to realize that she was WALKING! But she didn't seem phased by it all (which is not her usual personality - she can get excited over anything and nothing). But this was different. It was like all this energy that had been lying dormant in our little girl since her surgery 10 weeks ago, busted out. And she walked as if she knew she always would when she had the chance.
Here E.R. is dancing. She loves to dance, and it has been 2 1/2 months! Unfortunately she is still learning to maneuver her legs. Her prosthetic foot got caught in the crack in the deck board, and she fell, flying right out of her prosthetic leg that was caught tightly in the crack! She was spread-eagle on the deck and looked at me with concern, while I calmly unwrenched her precious new leg and said, "oops!".