I got the call Thursday afternoon.
"Do you know what your daughter just did?" The husband asked.
This is usually followed by some tale of explosive diapers, but not Thursday.
"She just sat up all on her own."
She pushed herself up off the floor all by herself and sat right up. Apparently when the husband saw this, he cheered and clapped and Peanut tumbled back over. One step at a time.
My heart jumped thinking about how big she's getting. I also had a fleeting moment of mother's guilt because I wasn't there to see it. I was at work. But I quickly tamped that down with the thought of "Operation baby proof."
"She's going to be mobile soon," I said practically.
It is time to use those Babies 'R' Us gift certificates and buy all those things that will help us make sure Peanut doesn't injure herself. The question is how much is too much?
I'm leaning toward the first-time-mom who must clamp down everything, gate everything, close off everything, forcing everyone to hop gates, dance while trying to figure out how to get the toilet seat up and struggle with the cabinets for five minutes every time they need something.
But even I know that isn't really rational. We already have most electrical sockets protected. We live in a tri-level house so I'm trying to figure out exactly how many gates we need and where they need to go. But I'm debating how many cabinets need to be locked down (of course the ones with household cleaners) and do I really need to baby proof the toilet?
Plus I feel like I'm forgetting something.
So how much baby proofing did you do? What are your suggestions?
Anything would be appreciated.
Friday, February 13, 2009
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4 comments:
I have no idea on the stairs. Not a problem in our house. But I would highly advise AGAINST lots of doorlocks, toiletlocks, etc. We only did a couple anyway -- basically just on the bathroom sink -- and they irritate the bejeezus out of me. The Boy sometimes tries to get into the cabinet where the trash and some cleaners are, but it's nothing a good NO doesn't stop.
Definitely deal with the stairs (gate at top and bottom of both will probably give you peace of mind but at least put them at the top, that's where things can get ugly, fast) and put anything dangerous out of reach (cleaners locked down or moved up high, cords attached to heavy things out of reach, etc.).
It also depends on your kid. A friend's son was a climber and she had to BOLT bookcases to the wall!! And, yes, she needed a toilet lock. Me? Not so much with either of those. Here's hoping your kid is not a climber or a toilet explorer.
The best part is, when she first starts being mobile, she will move SO slowly so you'll have some time to figure out where she's headed and deal with it. Someone told me to crawl around my house like a baby and see what kind of trouble I could get into. My poor husband hurt himself laughing watching me get covered in dog hair as I squirmed around trying to stick my fingers into sockets and such!
You could be like Homer Simpson and draw bunnies on all the sockets.
Marge: "Maggie's not afraid of bunnies."
Homer (in a menacing voice): "She will be..."
ooh, baby proofing...we are in a 2 story house & only have gates at the top & bottoms of stairs & doorknob thingies going outside. but i can say from several experiences that a toddler or baby falling down very long stairs really doesn't do much harm to that child. once she had the hang of going up & down stairs, we kept the gates open except when she's free to roam & i'm busy.
cupboards are all locked except one that is full of kid fun stuff (wooden spoons, nalgene bottles, pitchers, etc etc). my oldest is for sure an intent explorer of all things, including toilets, but that was mostly just a short phase & generally babies aren't very quiet when getting their hands into a toilet... lol.
anyway, long comment, sorry. hope you figure something out that works for you!
btw: i went to high school with hillary so you know me not. (& for the record i do not think she was a twit in high school).
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