We've been concerned about this upcoming milestone for months: someday, he's going to be tall enough to climb out of his crib. That day suddenly came last weekend; we had just put him in the crib for his nap, and I was sitting there chatting him up for a bit before he went to sleep. It was unusually warm that day so he didn't have the 'sleep sack' on that he normally wears. This garment also apparently has the added benefit of acting like a straight jacket, confining his movements and preventing him from climbing out. While I watched, he got a leg up on the top of the rail and in position to hurl himself over into the abyss below. I let him continue, just to see what he was capable of, and I called Claire to come and watch. She arrived just in time to see him roll over the top and into my waiting arms. He can get loose. We put the sleep sack back on him for the nap.
He's come a long way since the days when he first learned
to sit up in bed back in February of last year.
His ability to escape is a huge deal, because we actually like putting him to bed at night and resting assured that he'll stay there safe and sound, and that we'll find him in the same spot the next morning. Now, he has access to the entire planet. I expect to find him some morning in front of the TV with the remote in his chubby little hands, trying to "watch a movie music."
Our neighbors Dick and Robin gave us a toddler bed, but we'll have to childproof a bedroom for him and figure out how to prevent him from escaping. He's learning to turn doorknobs too.
Another milestone: he's trying to dress himself!
He lacks coordination, but he's putting in the effort.
We'd be a lot more proud if he wasn't putting his pants on his head and his shirt on his legs.
"Now he has access to the whole planet."
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how we felt when YOU, Johnny, decided that your room was just not big enough for you. And, off you went, all over the world and all I could warn you about was staying out of the bathrooms in San Francisco. Ahhh....paybacks are really going to be hell. But, like you, I'm sure he'll not only survive..he'll thrive. And like us....you might survive this passage too. It won't be easy. That I can assure you.
"Actual Case Study" - not involving actors: John, in Papua New Guinea waiting for Australian Research ship to pick him up. Had a day to kill, so decided to climb the local active volcano, Mt. (insert random consonants here). Climbed same, looked into crater, descended. Next day, as the ship was leaving port, the volcano had an explosive eruption. John's email describing the event (sent from the ship via satellite) ended with "...don't tell Mom."
ReplyDeleteEach step kids take towards independence scares hell out of his/her parents. First steps, first climb out of crib, driver's license..... But smothering them is not an option. You just have to do your best to teach them to use common sense and then hope for the best.
Grandpa Chadwick