Standing Tall (and trying to crawl!)

For a few weeks now, Cooper has been working on pulling himself up to standing, using whatever he can get a hold of. He's always loved to stand, but one day it finally clicked that he might be able to accomplish it himself instead of waiting around for us to assist. Finally, last week, he pulled himself up on his little toy piano all by himself (with daddy holding the piano down, so that it didn't tip over on him). Now he can't get enough:

Every time he gets up to fully standing, he's sooo excited and proud of himself, and we just love watching his expression of amazement:

This new perspective on things absolutely fascinates him, and once standing, he usually flings himself all over the piano, grabbing at whatever catches his attention. Now he just needs his sense of balance to catch up to his curiosity!

Cooper's also working very hard on being able to crawl, and started pushing himself up a few weekends ago. Mommy's first thought: "This is so exciting!! He's growing up!" Mommy's second thought: *sob* *sob* "Nooo!! He's growing up!!!!!!!!"

When he wants to go after something, he gets up onto his knees, stares intently at where he wants to go:


rocks back and forth, and then....lands on his little tummy, arms and legs flailing, excited but frustrated that it didn't work out:

That's okay, Cooper, mommy and daddy aren't in a rush to baby proof, so you take all the time you want to get mobile!