Grant took his first steps Thanksgiving night. Five or six wobbly movements forward, his arms raised into the air like a marathoner crossing the finish line.

Friends and family watched as he stopped, swaying slightly, only three small steps from my outstretched arms. They began to applaud, cheering him on, and scrunching his hands into fists, he propelled himself the final few feet into my lap.

It was one of those moments that makes all the mundane daily tasks of motherhood worthwhile. A milestone moms around the globe have scribbled into baby books everywhere. My "baby" wasn't a baby anymore. He was officially uprightly mobile!

His younger (by ten minutes) brother, Tate, followed suit two weeks later. Surprising me one evening by suddenly launching himself away from the baby gate and into the middle of the room where his twin sat with a coveted blue fabric block. Tate pulled the toy from his brother's hands, turned, and walked away with it. I guess sibling rivalry can be a great motivator!

Now, nearly two months later, my twinkies are attempting such advanced skills as running, spinning, and "dancing". A new favorite "game" is to walk quickly toward each other, purposely collide, and then fall backward, laughing the entire time.

And my new project is attempting to cover all sharp corners in the house with puffy foam, in an effort to circumvent a trip to the emergency room. They have been granted entry into the 'Bumps, Bruises, and Sutures' stage. (And I consider myself lucky to have health insurance with a reasonable co-pay.)

One year ago, I had two six month old babies with croup. Today, although to me they will always be "my babies", I am watching the growth and development of two distinct individuals. They may only be two feet tall and walking with the skills of Mel Gibson after last call, but nearly every day I see something new.

They may only be taking baby steps, but they sure are doing it quickly.

And in this month of January, the time of resolutions, I would imagine we are all taking baby steps of our own. Starting a new, meat-free diet (Bill, the food-product animals of the world and your small intestine say, "Thank you!").....

Buying that first house or starting a family..... Filling out financial aid forms (and forms and forms and yet more forms!) to start college..... Conquering the fear of beginning a new career..... Reconnecting with loved ones or family.....

Or perhaps, as in my case, something seemingly so simple: Being in the moment with my children and focusing on all the little things they each do every day that make up the memories of childhood. (I know I won't be nominated for 'Mother of the Year' so I like to think I am shooting for 'Mother of the Hour'.)

We all have something we are working toward, one baby step at a time. Keep the faith, folks. Keep taking those little steps. Keep pushing. Keeping trying. With determination, come rewards.

"You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can."
- Jimmy Carter

Happy New Year, friends!