Monkey?

So maybe Liam’s nickname is having adverse effects…

He still refuses to walk (and for those who think I’m just being dramatic — please be assured that although I am prone to sweeping dramatic statements for maximum effect — this time I’m just being descriptive).  If you put the kid down on his feet without his cart or in reach of something to push or cruise against he sits down immediately.  Matt spends considerable time putting him on the ground on his feet and trying to coax him to take a few unaided steps and it’s not for lack of ability, but Liam will not do it without support.  He stands unaided just fine and more than a few times he’s taken steps without holding on to anything — but he’ll only do it when he’s distracted enough not to realize that he’s doing it.  If you proceed to make a big stink about it he snaps back into consciousness and determinedly sits down.  I personally don’t care if he ever walks — he gets into enough trouble on all fours, thanks very much — but if I have to endure months and months of people trying to coax him to do it and then sighing “ahhhh” in an exasperated tone when he eventually sits down or goes to get his cart I might pull all my hair out (see — there’s your sweeping dramatic statement for maximum effect).

Last night as Matt was playing with him in the living room he watched as Liam used his Lego bin as a stepping stone and climbed on top of the ottoman that was sitting beside it.  This morning I watched him do the same thing.  He has now climbed the stairs from the family room from bottom to top several times in very short order (we were right behind him) as well.  He only walks on all fours, he climbs furniture and stairs, and he’s mischievous.  Has he become a monkey?  Erving Goffman warned me about this…