boring AND dangerous

I suppose it goes without saying that I love my kids dearly, yes? But inevitably there are phases in babyhood that drive me crazy, and right now we are entering such a time with Charlie. I call her boring because for the most part, that's how I view babies in general and truthfully even my own. Chubby and adorable, yes, but beyond that they don't really do very much. Except of course when they become mobile, and then they do things all day long, only they are things you don't want them to do. Hence the dangerous part. Where I once was able to plop her down with some toys and complete a 10-minute task out of the room (is it ok to admit I do this? I'd hate for the parenting police to come knocking), I now have to try to do things in the room with her or else drag her along with me to the next room and put her in some kind of contraption (read: doorway bungee jumper). Vivi was interested in taking the DVDs down off the shelf just as Charlotte now is, but that is where their mobility-related similarities end. Vivi mostly enjoyed cruising around the furniture and playing with the remote control, whereas Charlotte enjoys slinking off to a corner where she can put a small object in her mouth or remove the outlet covers from the wall. I can't tell you how many times I've walked in to find her smiling with colorful teeth because she has yet again found a crayon under the couch or between two cushions. As with all phases, I repeat my "this too will pass" mantra, but this one can't pass soon enough. Of course the next phase is walking, which brings with it all sorts of new issues. Careful what you wish for, right?

I included the video below in this post because it accidentally captured some of what I'm talking about. I was trying to video Charlie dancing to the Beatles' song "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da." Earlier in the day I listened to an NPR segment about songs played during childbirth, and when a bit of that song came on, she clapped and giggled and danced in such an adorable way. So of course I tried to recreate the scene, but I didn't realize bringing in the camera would elicit such a different reaction. She LOVES electronic stuff.

On the plus side, Charlie gives the best big slobbery kisses, and she has such a cute laugh. I love being with her, and I love it even more when I watch my two girls interact together. With great gifts come great responsibilities, I suppose.