I don't think that I ever realized the stages that children go through when they are learning to walk. For Maya, every stage was very distinct - because it took her quite some time to gain confidence in each phase of walking.
There was the cruising around the furniture stage....
Then the walking behind a stroller stage...
Then the standing on her own - VERY close to mamma stage...
Then the "look ma, no hands" stage....
Then the "taking a few steps on my own - but ONLY when walking towards mamma" stage...
Finally...the independent walking stage - who can forget the "robot" video
But there's more....I never realized that once she learned how to walk - she would fall down - ALOT and not know how to get up.
So, we present to you (one full month after independent walking) - the "I can get up from a sitting position" finale!
I am becoming a big advocate of signing with babies/toddlers. Maya is picking up some basic signs very quickly..and I do believe that they are helping us to communicate more easily and with less frustration. I've not followed any particular program..but we have been attending a sing and sign play group every week at her sitter's house.
Here is a partial list of the signs that Maya has picked up and uses with frequency.
more
eat
drink
help
please
thank you
keys
up
down
what
book
shoes
cracker
hat
She continues to amaze me with the signs that she both understands and will use without prompting. It's really cool to see her use a sign spontaneously that she's never used before, but that I've showed her over and over.
And..since this is about language (and I started this over a week ago!)....Maya is beginning to repeat words that I say on occasion. So far, I've heard:
hat
eyes
please
book
shoe
uh-oh (her personal favorite)
baby
I can tell that she is trying!
She has also started "singing" with me. It's very cute to watch!
