Since we are expecting another child to emerge from my womb in the next little while we decided that once our furniture arrived here in Saudi, we would use the crib for the new baby and we would get Madeline her own big girl bed. Let's be honest, it wasn't a hard thing convincing Madeline not to sleep in the crib. I think she has probably slept in that crib a total of 8 times her entire life.
We went several places here in Khobar but none of the "toddler beds" seemed right for Madeline or for what we wanted to do with her room. Also, all of the beds came with an awfully thin and uncomfortable mattress. Paul thought Madeline should have the comfort we have in our heavenly bed, so he made a trip to the Seely store and got Madeline her own twin mattress and box springs. It comes with legs you can screw into the bottom, so we decided a frame wasn't really necessary. For now Madeline is just sleeping on the mattress and boxsprings. We will add the legs when she gets a little taller.
The mattress was delivered on Sunday and although her room wasn't quite ready, some innate part of me felt compelled to get her in that bed as soon as possible. So, the first night it was here we tried it out.
Now, at the fault of our weakness to cute chubby baby Madeline - her hugs, and kisses, and "mommy" and "daddy" pleading - we have been naughty parents and we have allowed Madeline to sleep with us pretty much since she was born. She is a sweet, cuddly warm little girl and it has been nice having her right there to look at and cuddle with. It hasn't been so nice having her lay across my neck, or lay horizontal in the bed with her feet in my back, or have her wake up in the middle of the night and slam her head into my face. I don't think co-sleeping is a horrible thing, but after almost 2 years of it, it is just time for a change. Of course it was going to be hard for Madeline, and for us.
After brushing our teeth, reading stories, and lots of hugs and kisses we said good night and left the room. The first night wasn't so great. Madeline screamed as loud as her little lungs could belt. She was doing that cry breathing thing. I am sure she felt abandoned and scared, which ripped my heart to shreds, but it had to be done! She also, lately, likes to see if she can get the other parent to do what she wants if one of us is not cooperating. So I was the bad guy and pleads for "daddy" were unending. The screaming and getting up and running down the hall lasted for about 25 minutes until I gave into Paul's suggestion to go lay by her until she fell asleep.
I brought her a drink of water, which she gulped down like she hadn't had a drink for years, and it didn't take long for the little munchkin to drift off to sleep. She only woke up ONE time, which was pretty darn great for a first night!
So last night we did the same thing, but this time we stayed with her until she was asleep. She only woke up one time, again. But this time she wasn't crying. I heard a very faint, very quiet, but disturbed "Ohhh Noooo!" coming from her room. So I went quietly running down the hall and Madeline's legs and butt were on the bed but her head and arms were hanging off the side of the bed. It was so hilarious to me at that moment, being half awake and stunned, that I fell into one of those quiet laughs where you can't stop and the tears just run down your cheeks. I could not get over it! Well, I did eventually, but it was really funny to me.
So I got her comfortable again and I pushed the mattress up against her dresser and put a chair on the other side. We may have to change the direction of the bed and put it up against a wall until she can stop doing Mary Lou Retton routines in her sleep.
Now, if Paul and I can just remember what it was like to sleep in the same bed without a child. It's funny, the past couple of nights we have started together, enjoying the cuddling and the spooning - yes we spoon and it is exquisite - but when it comes right down to getting comfortable, Paul rolls one way and I roll the other. There is still this huge void in the middle of the bed. So, we have some reprogramming to do.
We have already decided that none of our future children will ever sleep in our bed. Ever!
After brushing our teeth, reading stories, and lots of hugs and kisses we said good night and left the room. The first night wasn't so great. Madeline screamed as loud as her little lungs could belt. She was doing that cry breathing thing. I am sure she felt abandoned and scared, which ripped my heart to shreds, but it had to be done! She also, lately, likes to see if she can get the other parent to do what she wants if one of us is not cooperating. So I was the bad guy and pleads for "daddy" were unending. The screaming and getting up and running down the hall lasted for about 25 minutes until I gave into Paul's suggestion to go lay by her until she fell asleep.
I brought her a drink of water, which she gulped down like she hadn't had a drink for years, and it didn't take long for the little munchkin to drift off to sleep. She only woke up ONE time, which was pretty darn great for a first night!
So last night we did the same thing, but this time we stayed with her until she was asleep. She only woke up one time, again. But this time she wasn't crying. I heard a very faint, very quiet, but disturbed "Ohhh Noooo!" coming from her room. So I went quietly running down the hall and Madeline's legs and butt were on the bed but her head and arms were hanging off the side of the bed. It was so hilarious to me at that moment, being half awake and stunned, that I fell into one of those quiet laughs where you can't stop and the tears just run down your cheeks. I could not get over it! Well, I did eventually, but it was really funny to me.
So I got her comfortable again and I pushed the mattress up against her dresser and put a chair on the other side. We may have to change the direction of the bed and put it up against a wall until she can stop doing Mary Lou Retton routines in her sleep.
Now, if Paul and I can just remember what it was like to sleep in the same bed without a child. It's funny, the past couple of nights we have started together, enjoying the cuddling and the spooning - yes we spoon and it is exquisite - but when it comes right down to getting comfortable, Paul rolls one way and I roll the other. There is still this huge void in the middle of the bed. So, we have some reprogramming to do.
We have already decided that none of our future children will ever sleep in our bed. Ever!
2 comments:
LOL! Thanks for the story. We have the void in the middle of our bed too. We have named it the hump, and every night i play the martyr and let Jason have it. (It's the only nice spot left on our mattress.)
I love her "Ohhhh Nooo", how classic! So did moving her bed help? Congrats on reclaiming your bed....sometimes that victory doesn't last long- ask me I know ;)
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