[python] how to convert 2d list to 2d numpy array?

I am using large data sets exported to a python file in the form

XVals1 = [.........] 
XVals2 = [.........] 

Each list is of identical length. I use

>>> a1 = np.array(SV.XVals1)

>>> a2 = np.array(SV.XVals2)

Then

>>> A = np.matrix([a1,a2])