Super Sleeper!

Bye-bye to MJ's crib!  Well, it's still his old crib, but it just transforms into a toddler bed.  We'd been debating a bit if we should try this transition or not, but MJ is such an amazing sleeper when he's in his crib that we really hated to even mess with it a bit.  I was kind of under the philosophy that if they're not trying to climb out, and if they're sleeping well, leave well enough alone.  BUT MJ has never been a good Pack n' Play sleeper really.  He just doesn't seem too fond of them and we knew we had about 3 weeks of traveling coming up and thought that if we could possibly get him used to more of a "big boy" bed, traveling might be a bit easier sleep wise.  We figured we'd give it a shot and if it didn't work yet, no huge loss. 

This pic was taken right before bedtime on MJ's first night in his big boy bed.  He was super excited as daddy was transitioning his bed.  I even bought him a Cars blanket hoping it might be something new and exciting to look forward to and motivate with him.  Funny thing is though that prior to this he wanted NOTHING in his crib except his little Cuddle Bear.  If you even thought about putting a blanket or stuffed animal in, he would immediately cry and throw it out.  Somehow changing to a big boy bed though suddenly changed his mind and he wanted Elmo and his baseball blanket along with the new Cars blanket and Cuddle Bear.  Too funny! 

Night time went pretty well.  He was a good sleeper without either of us having to stay in the room or take him back to bed over and over.  The only negative was that he began waking earlier.  I think he probably use to wake up early but then just lay in his bed perfectly quiet and doze off and on.  Once he could get up though, I think he got out of bed the moment he woke and then went and opened his door and cried for us.  He went from sleeping (or being in his crib at least) until 8 or 9 AM to waking up and crying for us at his door at 6:30 or 7:00!  Yes, I know it's not all that early compared to most toddlers probably, but it was a shock for my spoiled internal alarm clock.  Nap time was a different story and pretty much stunk for a few days.  On Day 2 he took a great nap, but otherwise on all other days he got of bed over and over and over and over.  Before we could even be down the steps he'd be at his door crying his little head off.  He even figured out how to knock the baby gate down.  We tried sitting in his room until he fell asleep, but it didn't work.  After a few days of no nap and waking in the morning super early, he was a crabby fussy mess and we were tired and less patient!

 Just when we were discussing throwing in the towel and just trying it again another time, a magic switch went off.  Maybe it was just that consistency and determination paid off, or perhaps MJ realized he didn't need to be scared.  Who knows!  Whatever it was, we were so grateful for!  MJ suddenly began napping better and only needed 1 reminder at most usually to get back into bed.  Night times continued to go smoothly but rather than waking and crying for us at the door, he started sleeping a tad bit later (7:30ish) and then just opening his door and calling for us or playing in his room for a bit.  Much better than screaming crying! I hate to jinx it, but I think it's almost safe to say we have successfully transitioned.  Minus a few really rough days of naptime, overall I would say it went quite well! 

We just hit the road to begin our 3.5 week travels.  GiGi and PopPop purchased a crib that transitions to a toddler bed and so far we're on night two and he's sleeping wonderfully and even napped in it today, too which is much better than our last couple visits when he was in the Pack n Play.  I hope he keeps it up so he can be a happy little guy and enjoy this trip.  Then we'll be off to FL where he'll have a twin bed, so hopefully that will go okay as well.  Fingers crossed!!