Big Boy Bed

This morning when I was thinking about our "to do" list for the day, I told Steve that he might want to disassemble Owen's crib to make room for the new mattress and box springs that were being delivered today.  When I saw him with the screwdriver, I immediately had this realization that last night was the last time Owen would ever sleep in a crib!  Yes, I know I purchased the mattress on Saturday and arranged for delivery today so in theory, I knew that Sunday night would be the last time -- but for some reason, it didn't "click" last night and now I regret not having more of a ceremonial goodbye.  I have a hard time letting go to things that I associate with Owen being my "little boy" so when I have to, I like to send them off with a tip of my imaginary cap.  The poor crib was in pieces before I realized what was really happening so I was a little unnerved facing the rest of the day.

Owen left with Steve to go bike riding with Michael and Audrey, so I was able to welcome the new bed into our home when it arrived.  However, I had to run out to buy bedding so I missed Owen's introduction.  I hear from Steve that he was VERY excited when he saw it, which was a major relief for me because I had a slight fear that he would cry for his crib once he saw it wasn't a "bonk-bed" (bunk bed) like he wanted.  For now, it's just a box spring and mattress on the floor of his room until I'm confident in his ability not to fall out.  And just a fitted sheet with his usual crib accessories until he learns how to sleep under a blanket (and it cools down enough to NEED a blanket!)

When I got home, he told me that a big boy bed was upstairs in his room and he held my hand and led me up the stairs to look at it.  The test drives this afternoon were all about how high you can jump on a big boy bed.  Also making me a little nervous for this evening.  But he was extremely happy and never once mentioned the crib.

This evening, I had talked up how excited I was to be able to read his bedtime book in HIS bed (he has been liking reading books in our bed and the guest bed instead of his rocking chair, so I thought this was a perfect transition for when we move the rocker into Adam's room.)  When we headed up to his room, he hopped right into his bed and pulled out one of his favorite stories, No, David! and proceeded to read it to Bunny while I took a couple ceremonial photos.  Then I gave him a few "pointers."

Me: If you fall out of bed tonight, just get back up into bed, okay? 

O: Okay.

Me: I put a lock on the inside of your door, see?  BUT, when it's morning and it's time to get up, it will be gone and you can come wake me up!  Okay?

O:  But I don't WANT a lock on my door.  The lock is on the knob and I can't open it.

Me:  I know, but it's only on there at night when it's not time to come out.  In the morning, when it's time to come out it will be off the knob and you can open the door and come wake me up!

O:  In the morning it will be off?

Me:  Yep!

O:  Okay.

Then I snuggled in next to him and read him his book, sang him his song and turned off the lights.  He was super snuggly and sweet and didn't bat an eye when I closed the door.  I heard footsteps in his room from downstairs and over the monitor, I heard him playing with his white noise.  But after about 5 minutes, I pretended like I forgot something in his room and quietly opened the door and he was lying in his bed staring at the ceiling.  There hasn't been a peep since. 

Again, another huge transition that I worry and worry about and he handles it like a pro.  I'm still a little nervous to see what happens tonight if he wakes up disoriented or does fall out, but it seems like it's going to be a pretty quick learning curve.

Another milestone in the books.  Another day I'm so proud of my Bubbie.