Big Boy Bed!

So many things are happening in little Carson's life right now.  First he turned two, then Mommy and Daddy went away on a trip and he is having some difficulty at night with separation anxiety, and then we put him into his big boy bed.... next underwear and bye bye to soothers, but I think he has enough on his plate right now and we will just leave him alone for a bit.

Carson boycotted his sleepy bags while still in his crib, this was the first night with a "bankie"

Napping in his crib... not yet mastered the "bankie"

Last sleep in his crib

(Friday's nap, Carson woke up and chatted and played a bit in his crib, which he does often.  Then I heard a little thump and a door open and someone coming down the stairs.  I hear this all the time, so I thought, "okay, Wil is up now too", then I looked up towards the stairs and saw a surprise coming towards me.... Carson.  Apparently, that nap for the first time, he figured out how to climb out of his crib AND open doorknobs.  I took a minute to get over my shock, but his cute little face was priceless.... he was the proudest little man ever.  So no turning back, time for a bed before he hurts himself!)

Carson has been asking on and off for his "Big Boy Bed" for a while.  He sees Wil in his bed, they play together in there and we have read some books about transitioning to a big bed.  Carson has been interested in the idea of his own bed.  We decided that when we got back from Vegas, we would make the switch.  It would give him lots of time before we go to Ontario in July to adjust to the "freedom" and that will make the trip a bit easier (hopefully).  So Friday night we all headed upstairs after supper to take apart the crib and put together the toddler bed. 

Taking some measurements and drilling

Helping Daddy put the guard rail on

Yay!  Big Boy Bed!

"Carson night night big boy bed"

Carson taking his own picture of his "new" bed

A little more testing things out

 

After all this excitement... we did a bath, watched a little movie and it was time for bed! Fingers crossed, I was very excited, I had high hopes.... it was not a good night.  Carson was not overly excited about his new bed... he really liked the idea of it, but when it came right down to actually sleeping in it, he wanted no part of the bed.  He was a bit over tired, so everything became a big deal.  Pillow, no pillow, screaming, light up turtle on, no light up turtle on, light up turtle gets hurdled across the room, need pillow again, no pillow, NEED IT, pillow gets hurdled across the room.  Bankie on, bankie off, bankie not sitting properly, kicking and screaming.  I tried a few times to leave the room, went downstairs, Chad and I listened.  Thumping, bumping, screaming, banging on the door (we put a lock on the handle, which is off for now), more screaming more banging.....

This is what I found on one "check in"

(the shelves have since been taken off the bookshelf and everything else is securely fastened to the wall.)

 

This continued for many hours... Chad and I tried to go to bed, tried lots of nurturing, tried tough love, tried to get him to lie down with us, tried anything and everything we could think of.... Carson is stubborn.  He doesn't really do much unless he thinks it is his idea, or unless he is ready.  At 12:45am, I went in one last time for one more cuddle/rock in the chair... we sang a few more songs, I rubbed his back and we rocked quietly, finally Carson said, "Okay, night night" and I put him down, put his blanket on and he rolled over and went to sleep.  I was a bit on edge all night, waiting for him to wake up again, but he slept until I woke him the next morning.

 

 

First morning in the big boy bed

 

Saturday was a really busy day.  We went to Three Hills to go to a car show.  Spent the morning outside, walking, checking out cars, getting lots of fresh air.  Then we drove home mid afternoon thinking the kids would nap in the car... they did not, Carson slept for about 30 minutes.  We got home, had supper and both boys were exhausted and cranky, so we did early bed and bath.  I was a bit worried about big boy bed night two, but Carson was SOOOOOOOOO tired, we read his books and he asked to go to bed, and not a peep from him until 8 the next morning... when I went up he was standing up in his room with the lights on looking pretty confused.  So a great night number two!

Last night, I was very hopeful.  Carson went to bed okay... it took a little longer than usual, he wanted a few extra cuddles and a bit of reassurance, but finally he was okay with Mommy leaving.  3 am, I heard little feet, a door open and then a little man come running into our room.  "Hi Mommy", and climbed into our bed. We had a good two hour back and forth to try to get him back into his bed and sleeping.  We tried letting him stay with us, but he wouldn't really sleep... plus Mommy can't sleep when he is there and I am not feeling very well, so didn't want to breathe on him all night.  I would try, Carson would scream, "Need Daddy, see Daddy", Daddy would try, Carson would cry for Mommy.  this went on for a while.  I lied in the toddler bed, Chad tried but didn't fit... finally Chad read him a few more books and got him into bed... said he would go find me, but all was quiet so I stayed away.  He went back to sleep... after 5am, needless to say, I chose two more hours of sleep over going to the gym.  (Carson not sleeping is really cramping my gym routine!!) I had to wake him up again this morning.... at least he looks super cute in his little bed.

 

Tonight will be another good test.... naptime today went well.... I think the trick will be to make sure he is always super tired... although that makes for a cranky kid during the day.  It has only been a few days, so I am sure it will work itself out over time. He is a feisty little man, and we have had our share of sleep challenges over his two years of life.... we always figure them out and this too will pass!

 

on another note... it is a bit bittersweet, because it is one more step in his transition to being a boy and no longer a baby.  They are just growing up too fast!