Hi! Welcome! Haven't been on here that long myself!
I have 5 cockatiels which I only got in the last few months so haven't got too far yet. My 1st cockatiel, Loki I have had for a year and she is very shy and nervous still! So no worries. I haven't got the whole step up thing as shes scared of my hand. But I have the eating from the hand-I highly recommend millet spray! By just sticking you hand in the cage with the millet, she should come up to you and take a few pecks them shuffle away. This may take a couple of days. Don't over-do it by constantly putting your hand in, 3 times a day or less is fine and keep your hand in for as long as you can (it starts to ache after a while!) Then after about a week or 2 since shes started eating from you try putting your hand a little further in and she'll go on your hand for it if you tease a little. But as you already have step up this shouldn't be a problem. For the petting, which I have got with my cockatiel Darcy who I have only had about 2 months I used the millet outside the cage by poking it through and poking my one finger through about two bars up. Then your birdie should come up and as she takes try moving your finger so she gets used to the movement and then after a couple of tries doing this, slowly try stroking her head. Hope this helps! Sorry its a bit rambly but i wanted to explain fully so you get what I'm saying! Enjoy BIRDBOARD!
