If by "love them" you think I mean they stay in their beds at night and go right to sleep, you're wrong! What I mean by "love them" is they can get up whenever they please. It's probably a good thing I'm blogging about this a month and a half late because, had you asked me before Christmas, in the 3 nights they used their beds before company took them over, I would have told you things were going swimmingly. However....I'm not sure if it was the crazy holiday schedule (I'm beginning to rule this out because we are still dealing with these issues), or the insecurity of a big bed instead of a crib-sized toddler bed, but our perfect night time routine was turned on it's head! Used to, we'd lay them down and they'd fall asleep. This was even true after the transition from crib to toddler bed crib. Not anymore. Now it's up and down because of imaginary boo-boos, books in their room (yes, books...they've ALWAYS been in their rooms but now they have a problem with it...go figure), wanting a different blanket, etc, etc, etc, etc.....do you get the gist? They have learned the art of stalling! Bedtime was now taking an hour and a half to get to sleep and it was wearing on our patience. We tried this and that, trial and error solutions that led no where. However...yes, another however...for the past two nights I think we've made some headway! I don't want to speak too soon, but last night it took 30 minutes to fall asleep with minimal escapes from bed. Tonight was a record 15 minutes with a one-time, one-offender escapee. I sure hope this lasts!
Of course, there are some other things they love about their beds too. Our new bedtime routine consists of Owen climbing into Mason's bed for hugs and kisses. They both stand in the middle and give each other a big hug and then tip over (with the assistance of Mommy or Daddy to prevent a crash landing) while saying "weeeeee!" This was something they couldn't easily do in their smaller beds. Then they trade 20 or 30 kisses each to whichever part of the other's body they land on, all the while giggling because it tickles. After a short while of that, they're off to do their coveted "jobs." Owen dims the light and then turns it off on the way to his bed, while Mason pushes the button to the aquarium. Mason's trend lately has been by the time Mommy and Daddy want a hug and kiss, he's all "kissed" out from Owen. A kiss on the forehead will usually do for him and then he requests his sheet to be pulled "all the way to the top" (meaning all the way over his head). Owen, on the other hand, HAS to climb in his bed all by himself, then stand up on his bed and "squeeze really tight" for his hug and kiss from Mommy and Daddy. Do NOT try to help him into bed and do NOT pick him up for his hug and kiss. If you do, he will get out of bed and start over. So silly. Owen is particular about his sheet too...he doesn't want one at all!
You're probably thinking that all of this prep for bed takes 20 minutes! Thankfully, it only takes about a minute or two before they're both in bed - for the first time at least. We treasure these moments because before we know it they won't need us or want us to tuck them into bed. Two-year-olds are most definitely opinionated on just about everything, and ours are no exception! We will gladly continue tucking them into bed in whichever way, silly or not, makes them feel comfy, cozy, and loved.
Here's some pictures of their new beds before, during, and after the redo. Of course, there are pictures of Owen and Mason's first night in their big boy beds. And, I must say, watching my dad and Aaron carry their cribs to the garage brought tears to my eyes. Where does the time go!? Please enjoy!
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| Big Boy Beds!!!!! |