It's a twin bed and we put a toddler rail on it. Her bedding is Circo's nature love collection. She also has the adorable little lamp that looks like owls and birds are peeking out of a tree. I love it.
Why now? It was time. Riley had made a few escape attempts, but hadn't managed to get out, yet. She was sleeping with her long legs through the bars. As with every advancement so far moving to a bed had to do with Riley's needs as well as mine. Her size, independence level and hatred of being "trapped" were all major factors. Mommy's poor back also voted for no more crib. She had also developed an annoying habit of waking up at 5am the last two weeks off and on. I hoped it was a phase she was going through because of a prolonged cold, but either way being able to get up and play for an hour in her room before Mommy has to get up sounded helpful.
I was hopeful that our assessment of the situation was correct and Riley wouldn't be totally against the idea. Generally she's up for anything that means a little bit of independence. She's her mother's daughter in that way. Every time we make a change (weaning, one nap, day care, etc) I expect terrible things to happen and they haven't yet.
And so it went..
Down it came. The crib vanished with the last shreds of denial, she's growing up.
Ever my independent little explorer she just went for it. Clambering up to proudly survey her new big girl bed.
She pointed out all the owls and "Whoo"ed, snuggled all her pillows and said bed! more than a few times.
Her first nap in her big girl bed. It wasn't much of a struggle by the time we had the bed up she was ready for it. I found myself sitting in next room thinking "that's it?" We made a huge change, it's only forward from here and she just accepted it? Good, but sad. I needed to be more needed, I think.
We made it through day one! Bed time was a little more eventful, but relatively normal considering. She fussed a little and when I went back in she wanted a drink, but she wanted me to hold it. I think she just needed to know if girls in big girl beds still get extra attention from Mommy sometimes. I was happy to give it. She also got a little panicked when we put the baby gate in the doorway. We opted to wait until she was asleep to put it up. I was happy she slept so soundly.
Sunday morning I was ecstatic to sleep until 8am!! and find my girl happily playing in her room.
ooh! is it a toddler bed? did you have to do a lot of baby proofing in her room? We're planning on making the switch around May-June (18 months) and I am so scared she's going to wake up in the middle of the night and start climbing!!! Meghan
ReplyDeleteNo it's a regular twin bed we just bought a rail for it. She'll be 18mo in a week. She's a pretty mellow baby and her room is the most baby proof in the house. We swapped some furniture and blocked some outlets, but that was about it.
ReplyDeleteHurray for Riley! We only just made the switch with the twins, and I kind of wish we had done it a lot sooner, before they developed that older toddler defiant streak and got super-attached. We've had to do a LOT of childproofing on their room, but I don't know how much of the chaos and destruction has been because there are two of them in there egging one another on.
ReplyDeleteWe have them on mattresses on the floor at the moment (we have some climbing issues, lol), but will likely transition to twin beds in a few months. It looks like that's what you did with Riley, or is that a toddler bed? I'll be interested to follow her progress! :)
Stephanie
Yesh, Steph it's a twin. We have the mattress and box spring on the floor. In fact I was just commenting that it was time to get the 8yr old a frame for his bed, LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou're such a slacker Katie, sleeping till 8AM :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe our little munchkins are growing up (too fast for my liking)...everyday there seems to be a milestone....Hooray for Riley...and well done mum...
ReplyDeleteNatalie
Tell me about it, Chance! And I waited 1.5yrs for it (:
ReplyDeleteIt must be something, to wake up one day, and you can go play, without any help:)))If shes anything like her aunt Jessie, who was the same age when I took the crib down, because she climbed out. She threw away the diaper very soon after. Took it off and that was it. No battle, just perferred the big people way.
ReplyDelete