Sam is not showing signs of walking like I expected by now.  He cruises like a champ.  He goes from sitting to squatting to a stand, and back down, without using his hands.  But he still flops to the floor when I try to lead him around by the hand.  Call it independence, I guess.

However, one thing he can do is CLIMB.  Observe:

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His favorite place to hang out in the kitchen.  He has figured out how to get in and out all by himself. I think of it as a hobbit hole.

Below, I tucked this chair back in the table.  He immediately pulled it out and mounted up.

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Walking into the kitchen and seeing this below, I pulled out my camera, baffled that he managed to climb up on the step stool.  Did I even leave the stool at the counter?  Hmmm, maybe should move that knife. . .

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CRAP! YES!  GRAB THE KNIFE AND GRAB HIM BEFORE HE FALLS OFF! WHY ARE SO MANY GLASS OBJECTS NEARBY??
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For the record, I snapped this then lunged forward, catching him just as he stepped his left foot off the stool and into the air.  (Note the previously removed burner knobs.  That happened when we came back from preschool drop-off to the smell of burning rubber.  SOMEONE had turned on the burner when a hot pad was on top.  Jack denies it and I believe him.  That leaves one suspect.)

In summary, thank you Grandma Betty for the new baby gate.  Thank you very much indeed.

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