Cat & Mouse: First Steps

I am lucky enough to work in a job that allows me every Friday off. It's Mouse's and my day. We may do the laundry or straighten the house--or not. We dance to music from the radio, her bopping along and me, shuffling my feet and swaying. We play with each other. She plays on her own. She most likes my undivided attention, which I am happy to give her. She likes to crawl on me and play with my face. She has the most beautiful smile . . . We read books together and, occasionally, weather and health permitting, go out for walks or to play in the backyard.

One of Mouse's favorite activities, however, is grabbing hold of my index finger or thumb and pulling me along as she takes a tour of the house. We stop at various locations that catch her eye: a cabinet, her elephant blow pop toy, a bookshelf, a stray sock, a cat . . . She holds onto my finger despite sitting down to inspect something, not wanting me to go far. Then she'll get back up and off we go to the next stop on the tour. She has such a confident and determined look on her face in moments like those--sure of where she is going, trusting that I will be right by her side. Sometimes our tours take all morning or afternoon. Sometimes just a few brief moments. I love this time together.

Once I was in the middle of washing dishes and she came over and pulled herself up holding my leg. She wanted my hand. I began to ask her to let me finish and then decided against it. The dishes could wait. With my still wet hand, I offered her my finger and off we went, exploring.

In early December, Mouse took her first three steps all on her own. She was at daycare at the time. My husband and I didn't see it, therefore, it doesn't count. About a week later, she took three steps for me. It was a momentous occasion. Mouse was so proud of herself. She kept trying again and again, often only to fall on her bottom. She received two push type toys for Christmas and had a blast pushing them around the house, strengthening her leg muscles.

On New Year's Day, as I was sitting on the floor in front of the couch, Mouse cruised around the corner of the couch, out of my sight. The next thing I know, Mouse comes around the corner and walks towards me, without touching the couch. The grin on her face was priceless. She would do that several times throughout the day. There was much praise, tons of hugs and lots of smiles that day. Even a tear or two. My baby was walking!

The next day she felt braver and ventured out into the room, away from the couch and me. In all my excitement, I felt a little spark of sadness. My little girl is growing up--and so fast! It's hard not to feel proud, especially seeing how happy she is at having achieved a goal she had longed to reach.

I wondered if her finger holding tours would end now that she can walk on her own. I am sure they will someday. But the same evening she proved she could walk across the room on her own, she took hold of my husband's finger and took him on a little walking tour of the house. So, for now, at least, we can rest assured that she still wants us by her side.

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© 2012, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.