The Good Old Playpen

When I need to finish something in the kitchen I always put my son in the playpen to speed up the process. But sometimes I let him watch me because I could see his enthusiasm and he learns very fast from watching. But as curious as he is, you can never let him understand to "just watch and don't touch"

I was in the middle of cleaning seafood and cooking some and Mikey started to be a nuisance touching the minced garlic; watching me chop onions up close; grabbing the bowl of raw squid; and following me around carrying a stool. After being told not to touch anything several times, I just decided to pick him up quick and put him in the playpen. Oh he was not happy about it, and he was whining the whole time. He kept getting my attention screaming "ahwt" (out) and "me see" (let me see - he wanted to watch what I was doing).

I was still talking to him even if my face was towards the stove or sink to entertain him. But then a sudden silence followed (I thought his attention switched to his dvd show playing on tv) so I still continued what I was doing. And then I heard heavy footsteps coming towards me, and I turned my head real quick. Oh my god, how on earth was he able to climb out of the playpen??!!! Oh no, I have another problem now, I can't rely on the good old playpen anymore.

Every after breakfast I will put him in the playpen so I can vacuum the kitchen and family room before I let him play. When I need to answer important phone calls, I will keep him in the playpen so I can concentrate in the conversation. When I need to answer the call of nature, to the playpen he goes. Now, I won't trust that he will stay there anymore, my son is outgrowing the playpen already. Oh gee, I just wish he would not hurt himself trying to escape out when I thought he was still napping and I was not around.

My son is officially entering the terrible two stage, there's no escaping anymore!