About a week ago Milla took her first unassisted step. Since then she's been taking a few steps a day, improving gradually but not dramatically... until tonight, when she suddenly began walking longer distances. She toddled six steps, then ten steps, then all the way across my sister's living room.
Milestones like walking and talking are pretty cool no matter who the kid is, but there's something that makes it thrilling when it's your own kid. A pre-motherhood me would not have believed how exciting I would find it the first time Milla saw her father come in the door and clearly said "Dada!", or that "dog" and "duck" and "nurse" would be equally as thrilling. But they were. And that same pre-motherhood me wouldn't have guessed that watching a two-and-a-half-foot-tall person wobble from one spot to another on her own feet would make me so happy that a few hours later I'd still be grinning when I thought about it.
But it did, and while I was looking forward to Thanksgiving already, I'm really looking forward to it now. Because Milla is going to be spending the weekend working on her walking skills, and that's going to be so much fun for everyone!
I'm also excited because she's walking earlier than I expected. I know that walking at thirteen months does not exactly make her a gross-motor-skills rock star, but considering neither Bryan nor I walked until fourteen months, she's doing pretty well. I'll take it.
I loved the first steps. My first son was so proud of himself. I loved seeing his reaction to what he had done.
My 2nd son at 11 months refuses to stand, so it may be awhile but I'm looking forward to his steps too.
Posted by: Caroline | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 10:09 PM
What a wonderful milestone! It really is so much more incredible than you can imagine beforehand. Now just you wait until that first "I love you." Oh man, will that ever melt your heart.
Posted by: Diane | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Perambulate away, Camilla! Congrats on the first steps, second steps and the millions to come!
Posted by: Tracy | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Who needs to rush to walking when they are THAT cute? I mean, when you're the center of the universe, the universe comes to you! ;-)
It is a thrilling milestone, isn't it? Of course, eventually you find yourself wondering why you were so impatient for it (about the millionth time you chase a giggling toddler across the house as they grasp something fragile/dangerous).
Posted by: Kate | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 10:30 PM
Yay, Camilla! The first steps are so cool. And then they teeter around like tiny Frankenstein's Monsters, and that's so fun. (I made sure to note that the monster was not, in fact, Frankenstein, because you are so serious and literary, I was afraid you'd de-friend me otherwise.)
And I agree with the excitement. I'm still thrilling about how Jack asked me for a cracker when we were in the living room, and that was two weeks ago at least. He also asked for an apple last week, when we were in his bedroom. Communication rocks!
Walking, though, is old hat to me and Jack. Yawn. He's been walking for AGES. ;)
Posted by: Maureen | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 10:41 PM
Hurray for Camilla!
We thought Gabe would be walking by now for sure, since Josh and I walked at 9 months, but I'm HAPPY to report that he is not very interested in the whole upright thing. So far, at least.
I thought I'd really want him to walk, but I'm not pressed for it at all!
I know it'll be fun when he finally does, though. Hurray for Milla!
Posted by: halloweenlover | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 10:59 PM
Yay, Milla!
Posted by: Amanda | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 11:13 PM
Walking! Wow. Pretty soon she won't qualify as a baby at all...
Posted by: parodie | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 11:25 PM
Congrats on the milestone!
Posted by: Ellen | Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 11:56 PM
Happy walking! And when do we get to see walking pictures?
Posted by: Jen | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 12:02 AM
Go Milla!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Julie | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 12:21 AM
Dude. Can you tell I'm tired?? Thanksgiving isn't for another two days... *sigh*
Posted by: Julie | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 12:22 AM
Congrats to Milla!
Posted by: Shelby | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 01:12 AM
Milla's on her way
To becoming a full-fledged
Peripatetic!
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 02:52 AM
I hear receiving-blanket skirts are all the rage these days :-p
Posted by: Maggie | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 04:28 AM
I still grin at the thought of G's first steps and it was 3 months ago. :-) Yay Camilla!!!! This opens up a whole new world of fun for you!
Posted by: Melissa | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 07:26 AM
I have a feeling Milla is one of those babies who's going to move quickly through walking to running and climbing. She just has that look.
Posted by: cjmr | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 08:15 AM
You go, girl! (But don't drive Mommy crazy....)
Posted by: Salome Ellen | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 08:46 AM
How fun - of course, now she can get into even MORE mischief.
Posted by: Christiana | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 09:07 AM
My nephew took his first "big" steps on his first birthday. It was so thrilling. Two months later, it's still amazing to see him walk.
Good job Milla! Enjoy chasing Daniel and eating lots of turkey!!
Posted by: Kim | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 09:09 AM
Those precious wobbly first steps are such a joy to behold!
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 09:47 AM
It is amazing to watch first steps. Congratulations Camilla!
Posted by: Keri | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 10:14 AM
All right, Camilla! You're getting to be the cutest thing "on two legs" now.
Posted by: Kate P | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Good Job, Milla!
Posted by: Margaret | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Woo! Yay Milla!
(Just be prepared. You'll be getting all your exercise now. Heh.)
Posted by: Jen | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 11:16 AM
I love those first wobbly steps. Congratulations to your little beauty!
Posted by: Casey | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Go Milla, get busy, go Milla, get yer walk on, go Milla...
Posted by: blog nerd | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Elatedness abounds! That is awesome. That will make Thanksgiving so much more fun! Congratulations, Camilla!! :o)
Posted by: Lindsay | Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 04:48 PM
aww so cute!
I loved seeing the expressions on my kids' faces when they took those first steps - like "whoaaa" with a wobbly grin!
Posted by: Hoo | Thursday, November 22, 2007 at 12:15 AM
How exciting! She seems to be growing so fast.
Posted by: Lisa | Monday, November 26, 2007 at 11:33 AM