Our youngest child is taking her first steps.

Although my wife and I have been through this process twice before, we still are amazed to watch how a little person learns and grows and makes the transformation from baby to toddler to little kid.

Ada is about 10 months old but you can see the sense of pride she has in herself in the expression on her face when she successfully takes a couple of steps without holding on to anything.

"I did it!" the look on her face seems to say.

And the look on our faces says, "Yes, you did!"

It’s not easy for her, considering the presence of her two-year-old brother and five-year-old sister.

Instead of walking, her sister Molly seems to run from room to room so Ada has to be constantly alert to avoid collision with this fast-moving kindergartener.

Her brother Andy can be even more of an impediment.

If he sees a toy he wants, he has no problem going straight through Ada to get that toy, even if it means knocking her down.

Ada gets lots and lots of practice in the art of "standing up."

With these older siblings around, she really is learning to be "tough."

They are not always rough with her, though.

Sometimes I watch them play together and they can be amazingly gentle and kind with her.

When she cries, I’ve seen Andrew go bring her a toy and give her a hug and the tears will just dry up instantly.

They can sit and play together for long periods of time – even if it’s just the two of them sitting in the middle of a big pile of shoes.

Our oldest, Molly, recently received a bracelet with a heart-shaped locket.

When I returned from the Texas Press Association Convention Saturday night, she asked if she could help me put a picture in the locket.

"What picture do you want to put in there?" I asked.

"I want to pick out a picture of you, Dad, because when I’m at school and I miss you, I can look inside and you’ll be there."

You can imagine how those words truly warmed my heart.

"Let’s work on it tomorrow," I said.

Bright and early, about 7 a.m. on a Sunday, there she was at the edge of our bed, ready to go.

After sleeping on it, however, I found out that she had changed her mind.

That is a woman’s prerogative, after all.

"Dad, I want to put a picture of Ada in there," she said. "She is so cute!"

"I think that’s a great idea," I told her.