Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Toddler Bed Adventures

{3.10.2010}

I will never forget the first week of March 2010. Why? Because it was the week that our 21 month old daughter decided to prove to us that she could climb out of her crib. Not once. Not twice but over and over and over again!

At first, we were shocked. Then completely amazed at this new ability at such a young age. For the record, Ryan NEVER did this! And lastly, scared. Not only scared for her safety but the realization that we HAD to make the transition from crib to toddler bed. I am sure I can speak for most parents when I say that keeping your child in a crib as long as you can is ideal. The children are confined and your sanity is intact. Once they are "free" to roam around, well life as you know it is over.

Here's a video I took of Kara showing off her mad climbing skills. I was not able to catch her "monkey climb" up the side of the crib and our silly camera died before her grand finale of jumping (YES, I said jumping) from the top of the crib rail. She has NO FEAR!

After a crazy week of panic attacks at every thump, I begged Chris to convert the crib into a toddler bed. Like any mother, I didn't want Kara to get hurt and I was positive that her daredevil attempts would eventually lead to a broken arm or concussion.

On Wednesday, March 10th, we converted the crib. As the last screw came out, I couldn't help but cry. Why does she have to grow up so fast? Will she be scared to sleep in a "big girl bed"? Will we be getting any sleep tonight? Thankfully she LOVED her new bed and stayed in it.

By 8pm she was off in dreamland and we were thanking our lucky stars that she was still sleeping when we went to bed at 11pm.

Kara slept until about 3:30am....then the fun began.



The rest of March was a blur. We had a few nights where Kara didn't want to stay in bed. There was also the week where she was up by 4am ready for the day. It was like having a newborn all over again! Somehow we survived those tough weeks and Kara eventually learned that her toddler bed was where she was supposed go to sleep at nighttime.

Nap time is still a work in progress though.

We keep catching Kara napping in the strangest positions and in the oddest places!


Then there is this!


In case you were wondering, I am NOT a fan of this at.all.let.me.tell.you!

Lately, she finds the floor to be comfy for nap time. At first I felt bad and would scoop her up to put her back in the bed. But I quickly learned that it was smarter to just let her sleep wherever she landed. Surprisingly, on this day she slept over 2 hours on the floor!

Here's a video showing the mess that is created on a daily basis in Kara's room!

I keep reminding myself that "this too shall pass" and we will move onto the next phase.
We already have the "terrible twos" knocking on our door.
I know we will look back at this someday and laugh at the craziness of it all.

9 comments:

The Moskal Family said...

I can't believe she fell asleep on the foot rest! Too funny! Owen is still in his crib thankfully...and he's a climber, but for some reason he has no interest in getting out of his crib

Anonymous said...

Wow, you poor people. That has to be so frustrating!!!!!
I sadly have no advise for you. I wish I did!!!
Hopefully this will pass quickly.

Mrs. Schaeffer said...

For a little girl, Miss Kara can sure make a big mess! Hang in there, Mama! I wish I had a perfect solution, but I don't. I think it's awesome that you're capturing this on camera. One thing I do know is that when this phase passes, you'll be so happy that all of the messes won't seem so bad.

That picture of Kara sleeping on the ottoman is priceless! Give that lover love a kiss from me!

Love you!

Green Mountain Living said...

Oh my gosh that is too cute. Her sleeping on the ottamon very funny.

Jenni said...

LOL okay the photo of Kara asleep on the ottomon of your rocker cracked me up. That girl is sooooo funny.

I feel for you. I really do. I know that our time is coming soon when we will have to put Preston in a toddler bed and I am sooooo dreading it. Well, that, and potty training. I am putting those both off as long as possible. LOL Watching what you have had to go through scares the poo out of me! Hahaha.

Helene said...

OMG, I can't stop laughing! First off, the video is hysterical. She can totally see you watching her, yet she just sits there completely set on getting out of her crib!

Secondly, the picture of her sleeping while standing up is too much.

Cole learned how to get out of his crib when he was 18 months old...and Tim was away on a business trip that week so I spent every hour of every night chasing that child back into his crib. Only to panic everytime I heard a thump or a bump.

I've tried everything with Garrett and Landon, including putting a gate in front of their door. They figured out how to get it down. None of them stay in their beds at night.

So, really, I'm the last person to be giving you suggestions! I totally feel your pain

Unknown said...

I am SO GLAD you are blogging again! Love reading it!

On the bed note ; Yeva ( the baby ) REFUSES to sleep in the crib! So NAdya is in the CRIB and Yeva is on Nadya's bed. Go figure.

Anonymous said...

Bobbi,

Okay, so I finally viewed your blog. You know this isn't my thing...but honestly you are an incredible Mom to capture all of this for your family. I am amazed by everything you do. I wish I Had the time and determination you do you do to capture all of 'life' for your family! You are an amazing Mother & wife..and friend! I envy your commitment! Now please don't post any other pictures of my fat arms!!

Wendy

Anonymous said...

Bobbi,

Okay, so I finally viewed your blog. You know this isn't my thing...but honestly you are an incredible Mom to capture all of this for your family. I am amazed by everything you do. I wish I Had the time and determination you do you do to capture all of 'life' for your family! You are an amazing Mother & wife..and friend! I envy your commitment! Now please don't post any other pictures of my fat arms!!

Wendy