toddler proofing 101

Mike and I got a hard, month long class in toddler proofing. After many restless nights, near misses, ice packs, and mommy tears, we finally figured out what to do with our little climbing fish. So many of you have given support and advice, we thought we would share our struggles and successes with everyone. Will and Caroline teach us so much everyday. We love them dearly and are blessed to be their parents, but oh, it's been a tough month.

There is a really adorable video of the kids at the end of this post.

It started when Will climbed out of his crib at 20 months old. So, we took off the front railing and lined the floor with pillows. Then we put him in a travel crib for naptime, which he quickly learned to climb out of, then he started climbing into Caroline's crib. Mike and I were eagerly awaiting a toddler rail, thinking this would help him stay in bed and not roll out.



His toddler rail arrived and helped a little. He was still able to get out of bed and wreak havoc in the nursery.



We started out securing all of the furniture to the wall and any loose wires. Then Will learned how to climb open drawers. Mike became "McGuiver" and figured out a way to tie the drawers closed without a hazard of strangulation. Notice the clothes on top. I was not about to undo that rope just to put them away.

My genius husband used rip ties to secure the tall lamp to the wall.

All books or potential "flying objects" had to be out of reach. We had to put the lamp up and down each time we used it.

THEN, one lovely morning, I walked into the nursery to find the destruction Will left behind after an early morning party. (Did I mention that I cried during this fun phase?) I took photos to document and laugh at one day.

When I walked into the room, the first thing I saw was the wall paper torn down.

Then I saw Will sitting in the floor playing with medicines (all closed thank goodness) that WERE completely out of reach. Until he figured out how to climb the knobs of the changing table. They were sick at the time.

While up there, he sprayed baby powder everywhere, knocked down the medicines and unlocked the latch that kept the closet door closed. (All while I was sleeping next door.)

Here is a view of where the furniture was placed. As you can see, the closet is next to the changing table and all of the drawers are tied up.

The fingerprints left behind by our little michievious one.

He also took all of the wet washcloths out of the wipes warmer and flung them everywhere.

So, the solution.... After many pep talks from girlfriends, we decided to get a crib net, but we had to get one that would work with our style of crib. We put it up, then the ring at the top broke and Will fell forward on the floor. Then, Mike fixed it with a stronger ring and put the front of the crib back on. Let's just say after many little trials, we got it right and Will sleeps safe and sound in his crib.

The net tucks completely under the mattress and zips up the front.

He is actually quite happy to go to sleep in his little "tent".

Of course, we had to toddler-proof other areas of the house.

Even through ties and bands, they are able to open the drawers and get things out.

Climbing the stairs together, they like to race to see who gets to the top first.

One of our many stair gates.

Gate to the main staircase. Will can almost climb over this one.

This is the back door to the kitchen that Will opened and walked out of into the backyard before I could realize the door had just closed.

This is the plastic chicken netting that Mike had to put up all around the deck after Will flipped over the middle rail, headfirst, into the gravel below. Just a small bump and another lesson for mommy and daddy.

Mike even made little gates to protect them from going down the deck stairs.

Here is a video of our little darlings racing up the staircase.