So, maybe the whole ambulation honeymoon is over.

Sure, I’m delighted that L is walking on two feet like the rest of us. But Powergirl and I have learned the hard way this week that with ambulation comes a new set of responsibilities for Mom and Dad—namely, to watch said infant every second of every minute of every day to make sure she doesn’t walk herself into trouble.

Much of this monitoring has taken the form of spotting; one of us walks alongside or behind L to swoop in and catch her if she’s about to face-plant on, say, a table corner or the tile floor.

Another aspect of it looms over my head like the deadline (or is it “deadlines” at this point?) I’m avoiding as I write this: The now-pressing need to baby-proof every nook and cranny of our house.

Thankfully, I managed to tackle the big stuff before she ambulated—electrical outlet covers, the gate at the top of the stairs, and the dome/barrier/forcefield thingees over the oven knobs.

Now, however, comes the most daunting part: Draw and cabinet locks.

Though she is perfectly capable of screwing in a few (dozen) of these, Powergirl has bestowed this task upon me. I’ve accepted it proudly and happily. I just haven’t found time to get it done.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got all the parts I need; I’ve actually went out and bought the locks when the baby started crawling (because I’m just that neurotic) and have hoarded them ever since. Now I need to get to work—before it’s too late.