Problem Solved!

The Problem 

When we first moved in here Mia was 1 1/2. 

We bought 2 gates,

1 for the top of the stairs and one for the bottom.

Spent close to $250.

Well, because of the unique shape at the end of the stairs we couldn't find a reasonable way to make a gate work at the bottom.

We decided to send that one back and just be vigilant about watching our girl.

That worked out just great.

Until now!

Marshall has started to try to climb the stairs.

I can't keep up with him.

And the dishes, and the cooking, and Mia and so on and so forth.

So we needed a gate.

We looked on-line and found that there hasn't been anything new and great invented in the last couple of years.

Well, my crafty mind started working and I came up with a plan!

I sketched it out, packed the kids in the mini (van that is!) and hit Lowes!

Loaded my cart with 40ft of PVC pipe, elbows, crosses, Ts, 45s & 90s, 

And here is the solution!!

I must admit that Caleb helped me build the top portion,

I'm telling you I could measure 1000 times and still have to cut at least twice!

Then I bought some heavy duty fabric, sewed a slip cover and 

Voila!!!

A custom made $40 baby gate!!!!

I am pretty darn proud of myself!!

I think Caleb might even be impressed!

(He kind of doubted me in the beginning!)

So far it is working like a charm.

Fingers crossed that it takes him a while to figure this one out.