pulling up to kneeling

it's been a while since i've reported on maya's developments. it seems like around her birthday she did so many things. she was using her hands more, signing and starting to crawl. but for the last month or two things slowed down. i know i shouldn't be sad about such things but when i see other children her age or younger walking and talking, somewhere deep inside i do feel a little sad. i'm not sure why, but before it didn't really bother me much. of course i knew she would always be a little behind but when she was a tiny baby it just didn't seem to bother me. the whole walking/talking thing has brought to the forefront how behind she is. for the last two months i've worked so hard on getting her to just stand up against the sofa for a few seconds at a time. so yes, when i see 10 month olds pulling up to standing on their own it makes my heart sink just a little. i have been wishing maya would also do such things at 14+ months.

i can't say that maya hasn't been moving forward on her development, she after all has been signing very well. she is learning new signs now...like star, sky, play, outside and potty. she tries to sign them when she watches baby signing time, and even if they aren't perfect i know that she is trying. we have been working on her potty training also. since 13 months we have been able to get her on the potty when she has a bowel movement. this, i have to say, makes me very proud. she is even starting sign "potty" now and the last half a dozen times she has waited until i got her on the potty before she released. (so exciting!)


when it has come to her gross motor skills, well, as i have said, we have been struggling. i do contribute the set back due to her becoming ill for the first time. when she caught a stomach virus it took three weeks before she started to sign again. it was almost like she just didn't have the energy to sign or grow.

so last week, when i found maya pulling up to a kneeling position, well you can imagine how excited i felt. there was also a big sigh of relief. she's finally getting it! she's finally going to want to stand and cruise! ok, i'm way ahead of myself, but it is going in that direction. i just can't wait to tell her physical therapist!

all this weekend i have been enjoying watching maya pulling up on her own. she seems to be trying all sorts of places, the fireplace, ottoman and even her bouncy chair. her curiosity seems to be growing since this new discovery. i can see it on her face. i'm hoping that other things will soon follow.