The Monkey That Is My Child...An Update

Well bloggie buddies, here's the situation.  As previously reported, my child, the climber, is officially climbing up, over and out of her crib daily.  This all started last Friday.  She climbed out in the morning, after her nap, and then wouldn't go down for bedtime (mind you she was at our cousins for the evening as we galavanted around town on a date celebrating our wedded bliss).  It took my cousin about 30 minutes to get her to "calm down" and go to sleep.  My child, has always been an excellent sleeper.  Since the very beginning, even while still in the hospital the nurses made mention of how great she was and how amazing it was that she just woke up when it was time to eat.  As we transitioned to our house and the bassinet, then to the crib and the nursery, she's continued to sleep well.  A very "scheduled" child she was.  It was important to me to keep her on a routine and I've always attributed that to a lot of our sleeping success up until this point.  It is like she literally just decided one day that she no longer wanted to go to bed and if you put her in her crib she would just keep climbing out and then once she did go to sleep...she would be sure to climb out in the morning.

For real?

Moving onto Saturday evening...a totally normal Saturday for us, maybe a little bit of a later nap that normal, but that was about it.  About 7 (her normal "night night" time) I asked her if she was ready for bed.  "NO!"  Typically it is always "yes, night night Momma," as she proceeds to the gate to lead her upstairs to her room.  Since she was 3 months old and sleeping in her nursery, it's always been our time, just she and I, baths, jammies, books, singing and then I would lay her down and we'd be set for the night.  Not Saturday.  She was screaming bloody murder from the moment I set her down in that crib.  She's typically ready to go night night with her friends as soon as she goes down.  She'll cuddle up with all of her "things" and knock right out until morning.  She has three of her favorite "friends" in bed with her every night.  Her giraffe, her baby and her dolly.  She has her baby blankie and her big blankie.  Every night. 

Let the games begin...I started the trek up and down the stairs 2 or 3 times and then hubby joined in on the fun.  Who's jealous of this Saturday night?  After about 7-8 more attempts, she finally gave up.  The first couple of tries we talked to her, cuddled her and tried to calm her down, but after that we got serious.  All visions of those numerous Super Nanny episodes and her advice kicked in.  Quiet and consistent...until we win and she gives up.  Eventually she did. Yay us!

Sunday morning, I got a wake up call at 6:45 am from a lil tiny monkey all decked out in her Elmo jammies (and one Dora shoe on) calling out for me and eventually entering our room with a "Hi Momma!"  She clearly woke up and decided yet again to climb out and come for a visit.  A little early for my taste, but not a bad thing to wake up to.

Sunday night, she only climbed out once and then last night she didn't climb out at all.  She's smart.  I know she's my child and every parent thinks there kid is the best, amazing, super smart, etc., but seriously there is no doubt in my mind this kid knows exactly what she's doing.  Her daddy and I might be suckers for an extra cookie or another sticker, but when it comes to bed time we're serious.  That is not something we want to mess around with.  There's only so much quiet time in our lives at this time and that time is important to us.  Our time with her is important as well, but she also needs to know that when it's time for bed, it's time for bed.

Hopefully tonight will be another great night, but first we need to get thorugh this morning or should I say hubby needs to get through this morning.

My crazy toddler, decided to get out again this morning, but she had pooped and managed to get it all over herself and her room.  I've yet to have actually spoken with him yet today.  This was a news update as received to me this morning via my Dad who watches Mia on Tuesdays.

Wow...super fun start to the day for him!  This toddler stuff is awesome.  Kidding of course, I seriously wouldn't change a thing.  Poop and all.