Big Boy Bed!

This past Sunday we converted Caleb's crib into the toddler bed. We had been telling him about his new dinosaur room and at first he was hesitant and wanted to stay in his crib. After a few weeks, he started to come around when I would ask him if he wanted his dinosaur room. He was more than excited as Kerry began to dismantle his bed. He couldn't wait! He wanted to help get it all set up! When he saw his new dinosaur bedding he was thrilled! Triceratops! T-Rex! Pterodactyl! He wanted to go nigh nigh right away! It wasn't bedtime yet, but I had hoped that he would go nigh nigh just as excited later.....

No such luck. He climbed out immediately and non stop for about 2 hours. We tried the Super Nanny approach of continually putting him back in his bed without saying anything. No such luck. We both took shifts of sitting in the room without making eye contact. He stayed in his bed, but was not settling down. A quarter of 11pm, I went to bed and Kerry had taken the late shift. The next day nap time was a struggle. Getting out of bed and twisting the door knob begging to get out. He finally gave up after 20 minutes and crashed on the floor beside his door. Poor guy. Bedtime was still a bit of a struggle, but easier than the first night. Today he woke up and called for us. This time he had the freedom to come to our room and it took him awhile to figure that out. I kept calling, "Caleb. Come here. Come to Momma." He would call back. Next thing you hear is the pitter patter of little feet running into our room and climbing into our bed. That was the best. Nap time today I dealt with the same issue of getting out and doorknob twisting, but it only lasted maybe 10 minutes. Again, I find him asleep next to the door. Bedtime was much easier tonight. A little crying, a little begging for certain things to prolong going to bed, but no repeated escapes from the bed! He settled down rather quickly! Day 3 nap time was normal. He stayed in his bed without a problem! Yippee!

Lots of transitions come with raising children. I don't know that I was aware of all of these from the start. I never look forward to any of them because I always fear the worst and thankfully Caleb has transitioned nicely over the past 2 years. I know each day will get easier. Next transition is potty training. After that, becoming a big brother. Then I get to look forward to all of these transitions with Baby #2 and hope I am as lucky as I have been.