First Steps/Walking/Momma/Other Stuff

I dropped the ball on some major milestones. But anyway, here they are:


First Steps:

A couple of weeks ago (just after the 11 month mark), Kayley took her first official steps. A few times a day, Megan and I would sit a short distance apart and try to coax Kayley into walking over to us (usually we held a toy or object that she was interested in). At first, Kayley would take a step and basically stumble into one of us. After a few days of practicing with Mommy and Daddy, Kayley was taking a few steps without any assistance as she would let go of the coffee table or couch and venture a few feet on her own. She picked up fast...

Walking:

After a few weeks of new found mobility, Kayley is able to walk pretty far distances, stop and balance herself, and even turn directions. Although she is still pretty wobbly (and falls down...a lot), her walking seems to improve with each new step. If she isn't thinking about it or if we walk in front of her, she can walk on her own pretty good. As of now, Kayley will walk from toy to toy or room to room or piece of furniture to piece of furniture. It has been amazing to watch her progression over such a short period of time. Just from observations, it seems as though she is walking a majority of the time now. Or trying to anyways.



Momma:

Kayley said her first "word" (that means something to us anyways) this past week. I'm not sure that she has put two and two together, but Kayley has been saying the word "Momma" quite a lot now. She also says the syllables "Ba," "Ca," "Ga," and "uck." Still waiting on the "Dada!"

Other Stuff:

Over the past month or two, Kayley has picked up some pretty amusing talents. If you ask Kayley a question, any question, she will shake her head "No." It doesn't even matter if you ask, "Is your name Kayley?" Her answer is always "No" with a shake of the head. If you ask where her hair is, Kayley will raise her hand above her head and grab her hair. Kayley makes this "clucking" noise with her tongue if we do it. If she falls down, she immediately throws her hands up in the air to signal for a touchdown (my kinda girl). When she gets really excited, she'll scrunch up her nose and breath in and out really hard. She is getting better at understanding the word no. Usually she'll stop what she is doing...sometimes after a few repeats or a relocation to reinforce the concept. She uses her bumper in her crib as a pillow (it's now about as flat as a pancake). If she wants held, she'll crawl/walk over to your legs and start "climbing" up. Sometimes, usually when she is on the more tired side, she will put her head on the floor while she crawls. It's hilarious. She now dislikes her car seat, stroller, and high chair (doesn't like to be in one place for too long). She does better when "petting" animals. It is more pet and less grab now. She seems to recognize more people more often. Overall, she is still a really good baby except when she is tired or hungry. But, that is to be expected.

Pictures to come soon.