Good fences make good toddlers
Micah's most recent obsession has been building fences. Literally. He wants all open passages throughout the room he's in "closed." Usually this means taking whatever materials are at hand and closing any gaps between chairs, walls, etc., where people might actually walk. He's usually afraid things will "fall out."
Fears in general have been on the rise for our Micah bean. He was scared on our airplane ride to California. When the descent got a little bumpy, he freaked out. Sarah tried to hold him, telling him, "It's all right." His response? "No! Not all right!" He's scared of cars hitting him in the street, and even occasionally of animals eating him at the zoo. While it's sad to see him scared like that, it's also interesting to see how his sense of himself and the world is developing. The world isn't just joy and discovery for him anymore. It's also a place where he can be small and vulnerable.
That's where the fence obsession comes in, I think. It's a way to keep his world clear and contained. We do the same thing--find structures or habits that give us a sense of security and definition when things get overwhelming. (Liturgy is one example that comes to mind.) They're just not as tangible. The world is a big and confusing place, and sometimes we just need to "close it."