Today Kerrigan took his very first steps! (Click here to see the video – you’ll need a high-speed Internet connection.) He had already started to babble while I was away on my trip to New York and Los Angeles. But I gave my wife very strict instructions not to let him walk while I was away. Thankfully, he didn’t try to walk before my return. About a week after getting back, we were in one of the rooms in our apartment, when the idea came to me that I should try to get him to take his first steps. I knew he was capable of balancing himself, and at 14 and a half months, he should be ready to start walking. So I asked Zuzana to fetch the video camera, placed Kerrigan a few feet from me, and beckoned him to walk to me. Sure enough, he balanced himself and then proceeded to place one foot in front of the other.

I must say it’s quite a thrill to watch your first child take his first steps. It is really quite an achievement, after months of crawling around, then standing on his own for a few moments at a time, and sliding along the couch while holding on for security and stability. It’s still a novelty for him, and he doesn’t consider walking a primary mode of transportation. Crawling is still the fastest way for him to get from point A to point B. And we’re still not so anxious to have to start running after him. J But it’s good to know it’s the first of many First Steps. Each new beginning requires some planning, preparation and practice. But navigating life’s many challenges is essentially no different. Overcoming obstacles and reaching goals still requires courage to take calculated risks, whether that be driving, getting married, having kids, buying a house, or changing careers. Of course, it always helps to have someone there to encourage and support you, which is what being a father is all about.