Getting too big

Just one example of how my little boy isn't so little any more. He has grown gigantic feet overnight! Look at those clown feet! (Okay, so they are really my shoes but he certainly was funny trekking around the house wearing them.)

However, this weekend the Merrill family took a big step toward getting big. We transferred Garrett from a crib to a day bed (courtesy of a convertible crib). My jumper was getting so much height that I was concerned that he was going to flip up and over the rail and bonk his noggin good.

Here's a pic of Garrett's big boy bed, complete with Diego (goes with decorations we have from Guatemala and Dora will "match" when Elena is ready for her big girl bed).

Once the bed was set up Sunday night Garrett discovered a new jumping game -- leaping from his bed to the rocking chair. I guess we traded one risky behavior for another.

Mom, what do you mean I'm not ready for a big girl bed? You bought all the stuff already. I think what you mean is that you aren't ready for me to have a big girl bed.

Shh, I'm sleeping on my pi-ow.

I'm not sure if Garrett is more excited about his big boy bed, or the fact that he now has his own pillow (pi-ow). The pillow has been going everywhere in the house with him.

So, Sunday night I stayed with Garrett until he fell asleep in his big boy bed. Looking back, I'm not sure how good of a plan that was since it took him an hour to fall asleep. However, I didn't want him to be scared in his bed and then we'd have to go back to the crib. There was only one wake-up during the night and I quickly was able to get him back to sleep.

Yesterday was the first nap time in his new less confined bed, and needless to say Garrett enjoyed the freedom. After to listening to Garrett run around the room laughing hysterically for several minutes I went back into the bedroom (something I try not to do during naps). Garrett quickly hopped back into his bed, put his head down and started to "snore." Yeah, it was hard to not laugh at that -- in fact, Elena did start to laugh at him. I told them both to lie down and I told Garrett he was "not allowed off the bed until after nap time when Mommy comes to get you." Out in the living room I heard the two little voices over the monitor again after a few minutes. However, when I opened the door to the bedroom I discovered Garrett had listened to Mommy and was sitting on the bed talking across the room to Elena. Again they were told to go to sleep. This time Garrett listened and actually took an almost two hour nap.

Now when Garrett goes to bed he says "Dear God" to remind us to say prayers. He loves the cross hanging over his bed (yes, Becky, Chris and I finally hung his christening gift and Elena's is over her bed too). Last night he stayed in his bed until I came in to get him this morning, sitting on his bed talking quietly calling me and trying to wake up Elena. I guess the bed experiment worked. Of course, he wants no part of sitting on the potty like a big boy even though he was super excited to buy his big boy undies. Any of you in bloggerland have potty training tips, I will gladly take them.

One more big boy story to close this post: This morning I was reading Christmas books to the kids. Yes, I love Christmas and we have already decorated for the season, just without a tree yet (too busy getting Christmas shopping done this weekend to buy that too). Any how, one of the books is about why we celebrate Christmas. The story ends by saying that we give gifts to show that we love each other the way that God loves us and to say "Happy birthday, Baby Jesus!" Well, Garrett really liked that last part. He has been shouting "Happy birthday!" (okay his attempt at the word at least), or "Happy Birthday Baby!", or "Baby Jees, Happy Birthday! I love you!" Too sweet! Too cute!

Like I said, my little boy has disappeared and been replaced (for the most part) by a very big boy. Can a mother's heart take this? At least I don't have to hand over the car keys yet Chris keeps reminding me.:)

Here's some video of Garrett and Elena enjoying the new bed:

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