MISC 3

About a week ago Chris and I were awoken suddenly by a very loud beeping sound. As we came out of our sleepy haze I began to realize it must just be some interference with the baby monitor, so I turned to check on it. I was correct, the sound was definitely coming from the monitor, and the lights were going crazy, but not the range alert light, the noise light. Then it hit us like a truck: SMOKE ALARM! RILEY'S ROOM! RUN! And we shot out of bed faster than I knew was possible. It's very strange as I remember the spree to his room...while it was happening it seemed so slow, like I was running through syrup and would never make it to my son...but also it happened so fast I really don't remember it much at all. We arrived at the top of the stairs and I immediately assessed the situation outside his room (while not stopping for one second, of course): no heat, no smoke, but the sound was DEFINITELY coming from his room. We grabbed the doorknob (not hot, thank goodness) and burst through his door. Nothing...except the horrific shriek of his smoke alarm. We breathed our sighs of relief and then noticed something extraordinary. Riley was fast asleep. Completely, and totally, asleep. I think most of us have seen the news report that travelled around by email not too long ago, explaining that children, even pre-teens, do not respond to the smoke alarms sounds in their sleep. It's so hard to believe since they are soooo loud and annoying, but I can now tell you, from personal experience, that it's true...at least for my 3 year old. He stirred a little when Chris and I spoke to each other, trying to ascertain why the alarm was going off, but otherwise, had absolutely no clue there was so much commotion going on around him. We still do not know what caused the alarm to go off, as there was no fire, the batteries are fine, etc. but it was an interesting lesson for us to experience first hand, that's for sure.