Big Girl Bed

I can't believe that my baby girl is growing up. It seems in many ways to be going faster than Vaughn, probably because she spends most of her days trying to do what her big brother does. With all of the changes coming our way I'm trying to ease the kids into some of them early. I'd been thinking about converting Greta's crib into the toddler bed for awhile but just wasn't sure I was ready. Ready in the sense of I anticipated hours of putting her back in her bed until she finally collapsed from exhaustion and slept in her bed and so did I.

On a whim on Wed. I decided just to do it, get the transition over with so when we move she is ready for her real big girl bed. I took the railing off and set it up and then called her into her room. She was so surprised and so proud. She loves Vaughn's bed and often when I would tell her it was nap or bed time she would head to Vaughn's bed to try and sleep. She could also be found reading books in there from time to time so I had a hunch she might be ready.

Her face says it all, so happy!

She was just so excited and proud to have her own big girl bed. I hadn't thought about a pillow when I converted her bed. And intitially she was a little disapointed I could see it in her little face. Vaughn asked where her pillow was and I said I didn't have one. Her little face just got sad, like she realized she wasn't getting the full big girl bed treatment. Luckily I remembered Vaughn's extra pillow and the quilt I bought had come with a decorative pillow case. Once I pulled that together it was as if I had given her the best present in the world. She was content.

Loving her pillow

I let her explore her bed for a few minutes and then told her it was nap-time and she had to stay in her bed. I gave her bunny, blanket and some books. I didn't really think she would stay in her bed or that she would sleep. I heard lots of talking but no footsteps so I knew she was staying in bed. The talking lasted awhile but she did eventually fall asleep and have her first nap in her big girl bed. After she woke up we had to call Daddy and tell him and then all she wanted was to read books in her bed. It was so ridiculously cute!

Ready for her nap

Just hanging out in her bed

I wasn't so sure how bedtime would go, maybe I should put more faith in my kids! I put her in and then closed the door but left it open a crack because I wanted to be able to peek in on her. She thought the open crack meant she was free to get up and do what she wanted. After she emerged in the hallway I took her back to bed and told her she had to stay. There were a few tears but she did it, she stayed. I anticipated and early morning wake up call but I actually woke her up at 7:30. I know I keep using the word proud but it is just such a good description of how she's acting, proud that she slept all night in her big girl bed.

Enjoying her first night's sleep in her bed

I have to say I am supremely impressed by how well she's done. I left all her books and toys in her room so she has the full temptation of getting up to play but so far she is staying in her bed. This was such a fun thing to do, I feel like I gave her the best gift in the world. She just keeps talking about her bed and her room. Just when I think she can't get any cuter she does. Man I love that little girl!