Another way to break their necks!

Just when I thought I could kick my feet up and relax the boys have reminded me that I need to stay on my toes. One would think that I would be prepared for what little ones can get into, but I forget one stage as quickly as we move on to the next. Since moving we have been reminded that we need to remove the door stops with the plastic tips because, like his brother before him, Owen loves to play with them. This didn't seem too bad when Ben was his age doing it until the plastic end came off in his mouth! This time around though, Ben is opening doors with all of his might, so we are sure to end up with holes in the walls where the handle has busted through the drywall.

We have also had to ramp up our baby proofing efforts. Owen was just four months old when we moved in. We were quick to put in all the outlet covers, but didn't have the foresight at the time to think that he would one day soon be opening and closing every cabinet and drawer in the house. Along with the door stops, both boys have been attracted to the most disgusting thing in the house-the plastic covers over the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. These have been removed again this time around after getting one out of Owen's slobbery little grasp. We have also relearned to keep the bathroom doors closed to prevent any fishing in the toilets.

Our trusty handyman, Garrett, came up with a super way to tighten up security. Ben has figured out how to open the deadbolts. In order to keep the little booger inside the house while I'm tied up changing a diaper or heaven forbid taking a shower- He brought over and installed a latch at the top of the front door so that Ben wouldn't be playing on the front porch without a parent in sight when he stopped by. (I'm pretty sure that Garrett is appalled that this could happen in the first place, but his son is only a month and a half old...he'll understand in a matter of time!) Owen, not to be outdone by his brother, has come up with a new trick of his own. He likes to pull the heating/air conditioning vents out from the floor and stick his leg down the vent. I'm just waiting for him to start stashing things in them. So besides setting large objects on top of them and impeding the flow of air, I'm at a loss on how to resolve this one. Any ideas will be helpful!

While we're coming along on the childproofing front, Owen suddenly decides to make this the week that he masters the stairs (over and over and over and well, you get it). He does a great job getting to the top, he just hasn't figured out how to get back down in order to start the game again. I didn't have a gate up when Ben was small, but he didn't seem as infatuated with climbing them. Guess I'm going to need one this time!

Ben has come up with his own way to keep me on guard since he can no longer run around the neighborhood willy nilly. He has started somersaulting. He can now make it all the way over and is very proud of his accomplishment. I cringe every time hoping that his poor little neck makes it with him!

Well, it's naptime, I'd better go put my feet up while there's still time!