All Smiles In The Big Boy Bed

Several months back, Jamie moved out of the crib and into a bed.  Since he was new the world of beds without bars, we put it on the floor so that it was more at his level and less intimidating.  It's been that way ever since even though we had a bed frame ready to go for him.

I've been meaning to get the frame out and get him into an honest to goodness bed but I just didn't get around to it.  I wanted to give him a few months of the on-the-floor set up to get used to the whole thing and a few months turned into 6 months.

Today I finally hauled it out, cleaned it up, carried it upstairs, and set up the bed.  This was my bed when I was a kid and aside from the fact that I misplaced the bed knobs (I assume they'll turn up eventually, I know I've seen them), the bed is still in great shape.  Jamie was thrilled.

Climbing up...

On top of the world looking down on creation...

Happiest kid on the block

Lifting his 36 lb bulk out of bed each morning just got a whole lot easier.

Big Boys

These kids, they just keep growing up.

Liam is currently at his very last day of kindergarten.  He has excelled this year and learned so, so much.  I'm really proud of him, proud of how hard he's worked, and proud of how much he enjoys learning.  Some days I turn around and I can't believe there's this big kid standing in front of me.  Who let that happen!?  And how can he be so old when I'm still so young?

Clearly, he is a time traveller.

And Jamie?  Well, he has suddenly decided that he needs no help climbing into the car and into his car seat and then climbing back out again when we arrive wherever we're going.  In fact, he'll screech at you if you don't let him do it himself.  Mr. Independent, that one.  He carries his own lunch into daycare when he goes and wants to walk in on his own two feet instead of being carried.

I wouldn't be surprised if his next full sentence is "I do it, Mama!"

You're probably thinking that I'm going to wax philosophical about missing my kids as babies.  Well, there's no chance of that because I don't miss it.  Not one bit.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the baby stage, too, but I'm glad to have left it behind.  Babies are great but they sure are confining and I'm tired of being a recluse.

With the kids getting bigger, we suddenly get to do more things with them and enjoy their enjoyment of exploring new things.  We're not so tied down by twice-a-day nap schedules and when the baby HAS to eat and needing a suitcase full of stuff just to leave the house for 30 minutes.  I'm really looking forward to summer vacation this year and I'm hoping to create some really fantastic memories with my kids.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows, the kids drive me bats, too.  But the fact that they're getting older, more independent, less constantly needy of me - that's a wonderful and welcome development.  Bring on the big boys!

Nothin' But Big Boys

Today was The Day.  It was the The Day Liam has been bugging me about all week.  The Day he was so excited about he practically vibrated through a wall this morning.

Today was Bed Delivery Day.

Scot and I came to the conclusion that it was time to purchase a twin bed for Jamie.  I was kind of hoping to hold out a few more months but his sleep has been getting steadily worse and I had a sneaking suspicion that being in the crib was part of the problem.  The simple fact is the kid is huge and there is only so much room in the standard size crib.

Since I was tired of being awoken in the night by a cranky kid who just needed to be rocked for a minute or two, I carved out time in our schedule last weekend to hit the mall and buy a bed.  Last weekend?  Everyone and their entire extended family was at the mall.  Holy insane madhouse, Batman.  BUT, we got the bed.

Liam's bed, on the other hand, is part of a bunk bed set and we always said that when he was old enough (ie, not falling out of bed at night) we'd set up the upper bunk for him.  It only made sense to buy a mattress for the top bunk of his bed while we were getting one for Jamie.  So, that's what we did.

Around noon today, the delivery truck arrived (and left a GIANT rut in my lawn, grr!) to drop off our purchases.  The frame for the top bunk of Liam's bed was all set up and Jamie's room was rearranged to accomodate putting his mattress set on the floor.

It's so awesome, Mom!

Ready for Moose Man

Hey, why is my crib over there?!

Oh nothing.  Just chillin' in my new bed.

Liam was pretty excited to sleep up on his top bunk tonight.  I can't really blame him for that because that bottom bunk feels like a coffin to me.  But, I guess when you're a skinny little 6 year old - not so much.

Jamie seemed really excited about the whole thing.  He got up and down off the bed.  He flopped over on his pillows and cuddled with his stuffed monkey, George.  He was digging it.

Right up until it came time to tuck him into bed.  Then, it grew crocodile teeth that were surely going to swallow him whole.  He didn't even want to set a toe on that thing much less lay his head on a pillow.  He kept pointing at the crib.  So I put him in the crib. (Glad I left that up, by the way.)  He immediately stood up and got pissy.  So I took him out.

We danced this ridiculous little dance for several minutes until I figured out that we had to sit down and rock in the rocking chair again before he would consent to being put to bed.  In the crib.

This kid has GOT to learn to talk.  Yes, I'm aware I will one day curse myself for typing that last sentence.

So, we got all of his things transferred back to the crib, sat down and had a snuggle and a rock, and then I tucked him in.  BAM.  Out like a light.  I'm just super excited we spent all that money on bed that is going to eat him alive.

I'm hoping that it will get easier for him.  We'll try again at nap tomorrow.  He didn't sleep well at daycare today and he was way overtired at bedtime so I'm sure that played into what was going on.  As usual, my stubborn little clone is making life interesting.

And Liam?  He plopped into that bunk with nary a backward glance.  Maybe he'll sleep past 7 am for once.  

I'm not holding my breath.

The Carpot Slides Alone

We were at the playground yesterday and with no encouragement from me, Jamie started sliding on the slide - all by himself.

Definitely not a baby anymore.