Closet Walker.

With my baby rushing towards toddler-hood and her first birthday in a few days we have all been waiting with anticipation for her to take her first steps. Finally, about eight days ago she took six hesitant, but independent steps from me to her big sister. After that I thought she would take off. She is so adventurous and seemingly fearless that I figured once she had done it she would be on the move. Needless to say I have been surprised over this last week that she still prefers to crawl, cruise the furniture and clutch our fingers in desperation as she walks the room. She has tried a few more times to take a step or two, but nothing as bold as those first six and only if there is strong motivation; like the need to reach a Cheerio or pull her big sister's hair!

I've been staying patient, encouraging her gently, and subconsciously willing her to walk so I can stop scrubbing the dirt, and grass stains from her naked knees. (Never experienced the dirty knee problem that occurs while crawling with my first child because she much preferred to walk.) Then I discovered her secret! She is a "Closet Walker". Yes sir, when our backs are turned and she thinks no one is watching she is walking all on her own. Yesterday, I was washing dishes with my back to her and I could her the unmistakably sound of her chubby feet padding along the floor and fingers sliding across the table top for support when the sound changed. Her steps sounded slower, hesitant; I turned to look and there she was walking away from the table and towards the cereal cupboard. Just walking across the middle of the kitchen! I watched her take the next two steps and then said, "Good girl! Look at you go!" She stopped, looked at me, immediately sat down and continued to crawl the rest of the way to her destination. Hmmm, weird right?

But then it happened again later in the day. I was tidying toys, turned to look at her and she was walking across the room. I offered praise, she sat down and switched to crawling. That's when I realized she must have been doing it intentionally. Its her baby secret; almost as if she thinks once we know she can do it we are going to make her walk everywhere. Picture this, "No more stroller, wagon, sling or baby carrier of any sort. You can walk, now you're on your own kid!"

Now that I know her little secret I can't wait to catch her doing it again, but then I remember once she can walk running will be next. And, I'm just not ready for that yet! Where did my baby go???