I don't get "child-proofing"

I have no pictures. Sorry. "That" girl, you know the one... she is too fast for the camera these days. Or maybe I don't want to have pictures proving she's out-smarting me at every turn.
So... with Sarah, we never had to child-proof. She just wanted to be with us. As long as we stayed out of trouble, so did she pretty much. In comes Sophie. Like a lion. Let's face it, we all knew that she *might* be one to child-proof for. All those little gadgets that seemed weird to me 3 yrs ago, now seem lacking. But, hey, I'm no expert and assume all the "experts" must have had some clue when applying for their little patents.
You may remember that our beloved Pack-n-Play is now an amusing little piece of equipment used to enhance Sophie's gross motor skills. Suddenly my dependence on closed doors has increased 100%.

As you might imagine, door knobs are now the latest pieces of equipment for fine motor skills. She just walks right up to them and opens them like they were nothing. She's so unphased by her skill she doesn't even care if we're watching. *sigh*

Much to my dismay I pulled out the icky, yucky, door knob cover thingies. Put them on all the doors with my little storm watching. I was feeling pretty proud. I out-witted her. (It is a little sad that I, the mom, find so much satisfaction in out-witting a 2 year old.)
I walked back to the couch for a little breather.
My storm followed me...looking ever so sweet. Like *she* was even sort of proud of me.
I sat down.
She processed that I was done with my part of the game. And then she turned and walked straight to the doors (I was snickering under my breath)...
and opened all 3 "child-proofed" doors. THEN she looked at me as if to say "I don't get it Mama...what do they do??".

Good question. I'm not sure. But my head hurts too much to go take the worthless contraptions off.

She's clearly ahead in this game of Survivor.

On the heals of all this, God lovingly up'd Sophie's cute factor. She's now chatting up a storm and shows love in the most tender of ways. On Monday she will be 23 months old. And the days are fleeting. In the thick of the day it's hard to appreciate it. But at the end of the day, even before her head hits the pillow, I am so unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to be in the wake of her storm. So unbelievably humbled that God entrusted these precious spirts to us.

Sarah just knocked on my door. (Eh, don't be impressed. She tried to just come in, but it was locked.) She is one precious soul. She wanted to know if I was ok. I told her I had a headache. And she wanted to get me a Frosty Bear (which heals EVERYTHING in our house!). She's growing up so fast too. She pretty much makes her own breakfast now. She brings mail out to the mailbox all by herself...with no one watching! She is never without a friend...even when she doesn't know a soul in the room. She loves watching tv (oops). She loves to do her school work (but on her schedule). She loves to play outside. She hates for me to be with Sophie and not her. Actually, "hates" is putting it mildly.
But what really blew me away was last night when I had a friend over that Sarah didn't really know. I had the opportunity to watch this little 5 yr old just talk with all confidence to a grown woman in, what I thought, was a very mature way. I was so proud of her. Well, except that she kept coming to see me and my friend after I told her to stay in bed...but I digress.
She has strength in areas that I still wish I had. I still can't believe she loves me like she does.

So, tonight, I am one blessed Mommy. I'm tired. And I don't want to see them anymore tonight unless it's to gaze at them sound asleep in their beds. And honestly, I'd like to call in sick tomorrow. :) But blessed I am.