After several weeks of deliberation and stalling, we took the crib out of M's room and replaced it with a bed. Yes, he was happy and content in his crib, and yes, keeping him in the crib afforded us significant convenience, but the switch had to take place. Mainly because he's an inch taller than the posted maximum height on the crib and because he was doing a lot of this: 
See? there's a little toe just over the edge of the crib. But wait a second...
another ounce of effort with that poked-out tongue and he'd be a gonner!
So, we moved the crib to the future nursery and moved the big bed into M's room. No toddler bed here, a regular twin bed with awesome cowboy sheets and not-so-awesome safety rails. M was thrilled. So thrilled he wanted to go "night night" at 6pm and threw a fit when he had to take a bath and wait until 7:30 for bed. How did it go?
You can almost detect the grin behind that chupa, which I KNOW should have been removed months ago. Save it, binkie nazis. We're taking baby steps here.
Anyway...
Bedtime 7:30pm
Standard procedure, blankie, chupa (please, no judging, one transition at a time!), and a series of songs by M's request. Kisses. Mommy and Daddy out the door.
15 minutes later:
pitterpatter pitterpatter of little feet through the house, giggles, and a face beaming with pride at newfound freedom. "Hi! How ya doin, mommy?"
Repeat standard procedure.
5 minutes later
pitterpatter pitteratter...
Repeat standard procedure with Mommy staying in the bed, per M's request, on condition that he stay in bed or end up in the crib.
30 minutes later
A cheerful "I'm going, Mommy" as M scampered out of the room to find Daddy. Dealbreaker.
Standard procedure foregone, M deposited in his crib in a fit of sobs and wails: Big Bed! Big Bed!
20 minutes later the wails are still coming from the crib
KJ: "M, are you ready to sleep in your big bed?"
M: "OooOH-K!"
KJ: "you have to stay in bed"
M: "Big bed! Daddy! Lay down big bed! Pwease!"
Request granted, and there Daddy stayed for an hour. Then Mommy was requested to join the party. On a twin bed. And there the 3 of us stayed until 11pm, when M finally gave in to exhaustion. Thereafter M stayed until 7:45am. A little bit of success.
Naptime and Bedtime on Day #2 turned out to be abbreviated versions of the first battle, as both Mommy and Daddy were tired and out of patience. And M was utterly disagreeable from lack of sleep. He really thinks get-outa-bed-go back-to-bed is some kind of gleeful game, as he giggles and goes back willingly every time. The temptations of life without confinement are proving all to powerful for him. I have resolved, however, that the big bed from here on out, is his only option. I will make it work. I have 5 months to make it happen, if I never sleep again.
Yeah, whatever, I know. I'll cave in probably the next 24 hours out of my own sheer exhaustion and the need to do laundry.
7 comments:
Been there three times now... Hang in there; it gets better. ;)
I have to agree. I will get better!
I'll be asking for advice when we move Jack to a big bed. Not looking forward to it.
(p.s. don't worry, Jack still uses his binkie for naps and bed time too. another one to tackle soon)
Okay, also been there, done that, but I had forgotten about the endless nights of everyone sharing time in a twin bed until the only person awake and comfortable is the child. And again, trust me, evenitually it does get better. The whole lack of sleep thing, however, does NOT go away until the children go away as well...
I love the pics! He really is such a cute determined boy. Thanks for the laughs!!!
sorry, it shows as Aaron, but it's me..Natalie : )
OK, that's the best pick with his foot up over the crib's railing. I don't know girl, looks like you've got yourself a kicker/punter for a football team with that flexibility (I figure B prefers a football future for his boy M over a dancing future...)
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