7 nights ago, something changed in our little house. Something BIG. I'd been anticipating this day for quite a while, but kept coming up with excuses as to why "that" day wasn't a "good" day for it to happen.
Last Sunday, I couldn't come up with any new excuses. I knew "that" day was going to be "the" day.
It was time to say goodbye to the crib and hello to the big boy bed. Any my heart hurt. A. LOT.
We've had the toddler bed in Reilly's room for about 6 months now, but up until then, it was simply a "catch-all" for extra clothes, diaper boxes, toys and of course, where Reilly's life size Elmo slept.
Reilly and I would occasionally snuggle up in there, but when it was time to get serious about sleeping, he would always ask to go into his crib. And I would always put him there.
I did have a reason for hanging on so long. And it was even a pretty good one. Unfortunately, our little man occasionally suffers from night terrors. If you've ever experienced one or seen someone have them, they are HORRIBLE, and you know it. When Reilly would get his, he would often be standing up, screaming, sometimes running from one end of the crib to the other like he was being chased. I knew as long as he was in his crib, he was safe and couldn't get out.
But I also knew it couldn't be my excuse forever.
I tearfully went into his room and got everything out of the crib and read for "demolition day!"
Then I went outside to play with Reilly.
Dave came in and started to take it all apart...I thought I had given him ample time, so I brought Reilly in.
Turns out we were a little too soon.
This is the conversation that followed as soon as Reilly walked into his room to see what Daddy was doing.
R: "What you doin' dad? (with his hand over his mouth?) Where my bed?"
D: "I'm takin' it down so you can sleep in your big boy bed, buddy."
R: (with his hand still on his mouth, which was now super pouty.) "No thank you, daddy."
D: "Yes, buddy, you're such a big boy, you need a big bed."
R: "No, no, no Daddy. You put it back. Now. Please. Pretty Please. Stop doin' that dad. Put my bed back."
And I'm not sure what was said after that...there was way to much crying...from all of us to hear anything.
The first night was hard. Really hard. There were tears. Lots and lots of tears. We put him in bed, and he cried. And cried. And cried. So did I. A. LOT. He never once stepped out of bed, just sat in there and cried for his old bed. I had to go outside. It was horrible.
Monday's nap was perfect. He climbed right in and fell right to sleep! There was hope yet!
The second night made the first night seem like paradise. We put him in bed, he immediately popped out and started knocking on the door. (We still can't figure out why he doesn't just open it. He knows how, and does it all the time during the day!) The noise coming from his bedroom was way worse than crying. It was screaming. Anger. Madness. Frustration. Sadness. Loneliness. Agony. Ugh. I sat outside and cried right along with him. He was at the door, sticking his toes underneath, saying things like... "Mom, open door! I stuck in here. You see my toes? Open door. Dad, come get me! I be good boy. I love you. Please. Pretty please." Horrible.
I didn't cave. I never opened the door.
Dave did. He couldn't take it anymore. So we made popcorn and snuggled on the couch. What else could we do???
After about 45 minutes, we put him back to bed, and with a little more whining, he quickly fell asleep.
Tuesday night--he did great.
Wednesday night--he did awesome.
Thursday night--Superstar!
Friday night--Summer cold strikes...we were up 3 times, and ended up sleeping on the couch, but I still maintain it had nothing to do with the big boy bed!
Saturday night--he couldn't have put up a fight even if he tried--he was exhausted.
Sunday night--champ!
Once he falls asleep, he has yet to climb out of bed and leave his room. Even when he gets up in the morning, he calls me from his bed to tell me he's awake on his new bed.
I know he still misses his crib. I know this because we have to go downstairs every morning to make sure it's there and kiss it hello.
I love this "Big-boy-bed" kid!
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