How to keep a toddler in her crib

Answer:  Crib Tent!

Gwen wasn't in her crib when we went into her bedroom yesterday morning to wake her up.  Instead, she was on her twin bed with all of her stuffed animals.  She flashed me a giant smile after my eyes darted frantically around the room and finally landed on her.

This isn't the first time she did this.  Back in September, she climbed out so we removed the mattress support thingy and lowered the mattress all the way to the floor.  That bought us an extra 7 inches of height and nine months of escape free nights!  But now she's figured out how to scale the rails with her little monkey feet and throw a leg over!

We want to keep her in her crib and not transition her to her twin size bed for at least a year.  Some of you might think that's unreasonable but if it keeps her in her room and out of our bed, it's a GOOD thing!  Frankly, I'm okay with keeping both girls in their cribs until they're 5!  Gwen sleeps really well in her crib and she's encouraged to go back to sleep if she wakes up since she can't wander around and amuse herself. 

We considered several options but drew the line at installing a plywood "door" over the top of the crib. We were relieved to find the crib tent.  So off we scooted to BabiesRus and grab it!  We weren't sure it would work on our bizarro crib but with a bit of creative thinking, 5 feet of PVC pipe, and an extra yard or two of Velcro, it's a done deal!

She loves it.  We love it.  Ahhhh.... life is good!