Night Night!

Parker was not always the easiest child in the world to put to bed but now... he's CAKE! Since he's been in his big boy bed and we've set a routine, it's been a breeze! He has a bobby (sippy cup of milk) in the den while winding down then I say "Parker, pick out what you want to take to bed tonight." Tonight, this was the line up:

It's hard to see but here's what he put in his bed and lovingly lined up.... 4th of July ducky, fireman ducky, police ducky, mallard stuffed duck, plain rubber ducky, stuffed goose, percy, wiff, 2 Thomas the trains, his Thomas flashlight and his singing/quacking duck. WHEW! That's 12 items! haha He meticlously lines them up then climbs in bed.

 We say our prayers

He tells us "Night night mommy. Night night daddy. Night Night Avie." ...my heart melts.

Then it's light's out! Easy peasy! Bed time is between 7:30 and 8pm and he usually sleeps until about 7am. Now if we could just get Miss. A on that schedule! SOMEDAY, right!?

Big Boy Bed Night #1

Guess who is asleep in his big boy bed?! Parker is! You already knew that if you read facebook or received my text because I was SOOOO nervous about making this transition that when he did it without a fight, I flipped and sent out a notification via every media I could think of. My grandparents have even received an email of the accomplishment. haha. I'd go take a picture if I felt the flash wouldn't wake him up but I'm not taking any risk! Go Parkerman! What a big accomplishment!

Because I know I'll NEVER remember to write this in Parker's baby book. I suppose I should document the milestone!

On December 29th, you officially became a "big boy" and slept in your "big boy bed" for the first time! At 7pm, we started your bedtime routine. We watched the "Celebrating Around the World" Barney episode with your "bobby" (sippy cup of milk), Dabo (Barney doll), 2 baby dolls, and blanket. When it was over, we told you that Dabo has to go "night night" in the big boy bed and so do you. We hyped your big boy bed up all afternoon. We laid you in it, turned your music on and you never sat up! You rolled to your side, started rubbing your hair and put yourself to sleep in less than 10 minutes! No tears and no escaping!!!! We couldn't be more proud of you! Way to go big boy!

I'm skeptical of how nap times will go as they can sometimes be a fight but tonight we're rejoicing over the victory!

Here is my favorite link I found if you're interested in transitioning your toddler to a "big boy" or "big girl" bed. We went straight from the crib to twin bunk beds but I figured the steps would be the same if you were transitioning to a toddler bed first.

From aha parenting: http://yourparentingsolutions.com/ages-stages/toddlers/crib-to-toddler-bed

Sweet dreams!  Fingers crossed the Wise Family will!

20 months old!

Today Parker is 20 months old! Sniff Sniff! He's growing up SOO quickly! It's amazing how fast he's learning new words, things he can do, places he can climb and cause and effect. He's barely spent a second in time out this month which is a far cry from 15 months and 18 months where he lived in it. Thankfully, he's learning boundaries (except a new one... the Christmas Tree!) and is responding well to no. I'm enjoying not being told "no" back!

This month, he's become very passionate about a few things....
1. Barney. He calls him Dabo and it's the first thing he wants in the morning. "Dabo" has now been worked into our daily schedule to calm him down before naps and bed. It's working like a charm!
2. The ABCs. He loves having the ABCs sung to him! He's sings the letter "E" when he wants you to sing it. He can now say "A, E. F, G, and M" His first letter was "M" because he loves "mm's" as he calls them.
3. Suckers. We've been going on 4 mile walks every other day and at about mile 3 he starts to say "all done!" Suckers give me at least another 2 miles! :)
4. Fake Sneezing. Mostly because we laugh and he enjoys the reaction. He likes to put something on his head and fake sneeze so it flies off his head.
5. The sunroof. We have to drive with the shade open so he can hunt for airplanes but he prefers the whole sunroof to be open.

He continues to love balls, books, airplanes and dogs. He's sleeping through the night every night and sleeping in later! SCORE! We've moved his bedtime to between 7:30 and 8 and he sleep usually until between 7 and 7:45. A few mornings he slept until 8 and I LOVE having morning snuggle time with Daniel before Parker wakes up.

His separation anxiety does not seem to be getting better. In fact, it may have gotten worse. He set an all time record yesterday evening by having me paged out of church in only 4 minutes. I continue to have other people watch him and he's fine with people he knows but strangers, even if I'm with him, put him into a complete meltdown. Church nurseries and the doctor's office are our two biggest struggles. I've read a lot about this and it seems his anxiety should start to decrease around 2. I'm praying for that. Until then, I've decided to embrace his love for me as one day I'll wish I had these days back.

Parker's big boy room is officially done! I may put another wall art or 2 in the room but for the most part, it's done! He loves it! He's wonderful about playing in it. Hopefully soon, he learns to sleep in his big boy bed! As of now, there is a pack n play in the room for Parker's buddies when they come over and get sleepy. He continues to sleep in his crib even though the room is transitioning into Avery's room. Who says he can't sleep in a room with an increasing amount of pink and bows? Here are some pictures of him I took today on his 20 month birthday! What a big boy!

Boys and their boogers!

 Perched on his new bed.

 Part of his big boy room, including his most favorite ABC painting.

 Still obsessed with balls!

 Playing curtain peek a boo!

 I'm SO in love with that smile!

 The other side of the play area in his room. It's already decorated for Christmas!

 Trying to reach the train.

 The beds/pack n play corner.

 Hi mommy!

 Boo!

Happy 20 months, Parker!

Big Boy Bed!

I just ordered Parker's big boy bed from my favorite kid's furniture store, Slumber Kids!!! Well, BEDS actually. We got him bunk beds! Does my 18 month old need bunk beds? NO.... BUT it seemed to be the best long term decision. I'm seeing sleepovers in his future. PLUS.... Parker's new room will be the guest room (adios ulgy laminate fake stone furniture! I won't miss you!) so now when guest come, they can play summer camp on Parker's bunk beds. Who wants the top?

When Parker and I were at the furniture store, he found this huge flower bean bag he'd run across the room and jump on. He'd yell "MOMMY," I'd look at him and he'd dive face first into it. Cute... even the 40th time he did it. So by #41 I wasn't paying THAT much attention. That is until I heard "mommy up!" I looked over and he's sitting on the top bunk of his new bed (the showroom model). Holy heart attack! Guess who WON'T have the ladder attached to his new bed for quite some time! PARKER, the toddler monkey.

Check out the new bed:

Simple, clean lines, functional, dark wood. I like it. We will obviously find some cute bedding. I'm thinking maybe a Pottery Barn Kids outlet run in the near future!