Girl Born With 8 Limbs Awake and Smiling

Two days after surgery to remove her extra arms, legs, and organs, 2-year old Lakshmi regained consciousness in a Bangalore hospital today and gave the first tentative signs that she's on her way to recovery. She even smiled at her parents and wiggled her toes, the AP reports. Doctors took her off a respirator and say they will keep close watch for at least another 24 hours.

"Lakshmi appeared very perplexed and kept staring at her legs, wondering where the rest of her body had disappeared," the chief surgeon said. A hospital spokeswoman said the girl, born with eight limbs, was doing well but would need more surgery before she can walk. "I have just these doctors to thank for this miracle," said Lakshmi's dad. "It is a debt I could never repay." (More Lakshmi stories.)