Big Changes

Caleb has had several big changes happen in his life in the past few weeks. In addition to potty-training/big boy underwear (hoping to have done by the time baby #2 comes), he has now moved rooms and moved to a 'big boy bed' (a mattress on the floor for now).


The transfer was earlier than we had planned (we thought we'd just wait till the new baby arrived), but Caleb had learned a new trick to prolong bedtime as well as make Mommy and Daddy very angry. Bedtime has always been difficult for Caleb. We have had a couple of good phases over the past 2 years where it hasn't been too bad, but in general, Caleb has an aversion to sleeping that we, as his parents, just don't understand! He learned that if he stood up in his crib and shook it really hard that it got a fast reaction out of Matt and I, and we were quickly in his room (which is what he wanted!). In shaking his crib, he would physically move it where it would rub up against the wall, and we were also concerned that the crib would break. Thus the transfer to the 'big boy bed.'

Unfortunately Caleb was sick with a cold when we made the transfer as well, which did not help matters. The change wasn't as horrible as we expected at first, but it soon became worse than our wildest imagination within a week. Caleb would throw things at the door, slam the sliding closet doors, slam his bedroom door, bang on walls, scream 'no' at the top of his lungs, etc. Bedtime brought out a side of Caleb that we weren't used to as he usually is a really sweet boy. We tried all kinds of different punishments for Caleb's behavior as well as trying to reward the times when Caleb did lay down in his bed. We even bought 'Cars' sheets to try to make his bed a "fun" place for him each night. The problem of Caleb acting like "the devil" resolved the other night when Matt put Caleb in time-out anytime he left his bed (rather than when he left his room, which is what we had done previously). The process took over an hour of Matt doing time-outs over and over and over again. Caleb finally got tired of resisting and crying and stayed in bed. Since that night 3 nights ago, we haven't had a problem of Caleb acting out. (Also, strangely, the bad behavior was limited to bedtime. I rarely had problems with putting him down for naptime.)

In addition to these other antics, Caleb would wake up at least two times a night either leaving his room and laying down in the hallway, or just sitting up in bed screaming progressively louder until I came into his room. He is now only waking up once a night, so hopefully the problem will resolve itself as we have no idea why he won't sleep through the night anymore. I suppose it's just adjusting to his new room and bed, but it's been over 3 weeks, which means it's been over 3 weeks since I've had a solid night's sleep!!! (If I'm woken up in the middle of the night, unfortunately I can't go back to sleep easily. It usually takes about an hour before I fall asleep, which is why the first several months with a newborn are especially a killer on my body!) Oh the joys of parenthood :o)

Besides these changes in Caleb's life, other changes in our house include lots of painting upstairs. Pictures to come soon!