Dare Devil in the Making

I consider Sean and I quite diligent when it comes to the safety of our children.  We have designated safe zones for baby friendly toys and big girl spaces for Kaitlyn, all cleaning products are on the top shelf of the closet, Christine is either in her leather shoes or barefoot in the house so she doesn't slip on the socks ... well, you get the point.  So yesterday when Christine decided to leap out of her comfort zone and try new things ... well, we're just not resting as easy.

It started in the afternoon with a new interest in the stairs.  She's been mildly interested in them, but didn't want to climb up.  As I was cleaning up down stairs, I had one eye on her and one eye on what I was doing.  Who new she'd need only 10 seconds to start climbing the stairs?  Kaitlyn says, "Mommy, Christine is climbing the stairs."  Sure enough the little monkey is ready to mount the second step.  So I stood behind her and she made her way all the way up.  Then she did it again three more times that day - it's now her favorite game. 

Well, that would be quite enough for one day - but our little sunshine decided to give us one more scare ... at 3:30 in the morning.  She's working on cutting 6 teeth, so has been waking up in the middle of the night about the time the Tylenol wears off.  Last night I went in to rock her back to sleep, and did - until she sensed I was leaving the room so decided to cry again.  I figured I'd let her wear herself out and then go back in (works 99% of the time).  As I'm deciding when to return, I hear a noise like a cabinet closing and a thud ... weird ... then Kaitlyn's voice, "Oh no, what did you do?  Are you OK little monkey?" So I go running in there expecting to see her standing in her crib crying and instead see an empty crib and Christine CRAWLING ON THE FLOOR.  So after a few Oh dear Gods from me, Sean asking what happened from our room, and Kaitlyn wondering what the heck just happened we determined Christine was fine - by the grace of God she is without bruise, scratch or bump.  Christine spent the rest of the night snuggled safely next to me, and Sean layed down with Kaitlyn long enough to calm her down.  What a night.

The first thing I did this morning was lower the mattress to the bottom.  If she figures out how to climb out now, I'll have to put a lid on the crib!

What I realized today after much prayers of thanksgiving, and thoughts of what could have happened, is that no matter how careful we are about the safety of our children, God is ultimately in control.  And I am just so thankful that he decided to put Christine safely on the floor last night.