Plums

Yesterday I gave Cedric a plum. It's a rare fruit in our house, so something new to him. But I think he liked it a little too much.

I woke up this morning to my two-year-old next to my bed holding a plum and a steak knife. Not such a good thing. But I was glad he didn't try cutting it himself, and even more glad he didn't cut himself in the process of bringing it to me.
Cedric has recently discovered how to use the drawers in the kitchen to climb up as a ladder to get on top of the counter.



The basket on the left is where I keep my fruit. The knives are tucked in the right corner, behind the toaster oven. They are well out of sight of any toddler who might be looking up from the ground (but apparently not for a toddler who climbs on the counter).

Later today I was at the computer (so my back is to the kitchen) and I was engrossed in catching up on my blog reading when I happen to turn around and find Cedric back on the counter again over by the knives. I went up to get him down and found another plum in his hand and the bread knife (about 1 ft long blade) on the floor. I picked up the knife, firmly telling Cedric "No" and put it away. I told him it could give him owies and he showed me his plum-stained hands and said "owie". I was a little surprised his hands were so stained given the fact that the plum he was holding was fully intact, except maybe a very small piece a skin peeled away. I confirmed "ya, owies" and checked over his hands for any cuts, since he apparently had gotten into the knives again. I didn't notice any cuts and decided it was time for him to go down for a nap.

After putting him to bed, I walked downstairs to find this in the living room...



So, apparently he had tried to cut a plum by himself, and boy did he cut it!



It made a lot more sense why his hands were so stained and I am very surprised he didn't cut himself, but there was now a mess of plum all over the couch (of course, he had to pick the couch as his cutting board). I then went searching for the knife and when I didn't find one, I pulled the bread knife back out to find it stained with plum as well. Great! I'm such a good mom! What happened to my eyes that are supposed to be in the back of my head?

Anyway, I couldn't find the carpet cleaner, so I googled how to get rid of juice stains and was easily able to clean the couch with a mix of warm water and all-purpose bleach. I have now put the knives in a much safer location too. I just hope I didn't miss any cuts that may have been camouflaged in all the juice on his hands(I'm still shocked he didn't have any). I'd feel bad if he woke up from his nap with blood all over his crib. I've learned a couple things through this experience. First, I need to watch him a lot better. And second, apparently Cedric LOVES plums!