Standing!

Markus and I often stand Willa on our laps and say, "Standing". Our voice gets a little higher at the -ing part - that's the best way I can describe it in writing. Anyway, this morning I heard Willa around 5:30 so I went over to feed her. When I walked in, she was kneeling at her crib. I fed her, changed her diaper, and put her back to bed so I could get more sleep. I heard her coughing and then talking (ba ba ba ba) and then I was fast asleep.

I heard her about an hour later so I walked into her bedroom and ta-da, there she was STANDING! Standing in her crib! Standing (say it with a higeher pitch at the end)! Tonight we'll lower the crib even more to prevent any booms in the night. We lowered it a few weeks ago when she started sitting up, but now it has to go even lower. I'm not sure why I'm so excited, I suppose because she's getting closer to walking.

When we were at my parents' house a few weeks ago, Willa crawled over to the couch, put her hands on the edge, lifted one leg and then another so that was her official first time standing. She just never did it again. Lately, though, she's been crawling and kneeling when she gets to chairs and other objects, like the baby gates in the "Jungle Room" in daycare, where she could stand. So, another milestone reached.

Today was also our visit to the orthopedic specialist at CHOP. Willa had an x-ray of her hips and Dr. Horn said everything looks good. Her hips and the cups/sockets and balls all appear to be developing normally. The doctor said he'll follow her every six months until she's three years old so we will return again in November. They also said she has until 18 months (or 19 months adjusted, since she was born early) to walk before they become concerned about her physical development. Given her recent crib adventures, I think we'll see some steps in the next few months. Won't that be great? Then Markus and I can say "walking" and then "running" and then "no, wait, stop, slow down!" The fun begins!!!