First Steps (Sort Of)

So. Sophie walked today.

First Steps (Sort Of)

Not toward me. Not toward Marcus, who was literally crouched down with his arms open making encouraging daddy noises. Toward the neighbor’s golden retriever that she spotted through the kitchen window. Eight wobbly, determined steps across our kitchen floor, motivated entirely by the sight of a dog.

Marcus keeps saying “at least she walked!” which is very supportive and very him. I’m choosing to interpret this as Sophie having excellent priorities. Dogs are pretty great. I just thought her first steps would be, you know, toward her parents who fed and changed and sang to her for ten months.

But here we are. Our daughter’s first independent journey was dog-motivated. I’m not hurt. I’m just… processing. And also maybe looking into getting a golden retriever.