Kaitlyn is a blessed girl. Before she joined our family, she already had her first bed waiting for her. In my anticipation of having another baby, I had impulsively bought a rocking cradle in hopes of my adoption process going smoothly. However, if you’ve read my adoption journey, you’ll know it was a looooong process. So my beautiful little girl only enjoyed that lovely rocking cradle from Mothercare for the 3 days she was here for the medical check-up.
Knowing she would be too big for the cradle, I had to sell it off and find a new crib for her. I just love anything from Mothercare, so no surprise when I got her one from there. I had the crib and the bedding; I just needed my sweet baby girl. I went into nesting mode, and got the room gussied up to welcome her once she came home.
Kaitlyn loved her crib…or at least the things in it. I had specially ordered a lilac Jellycat bunny for her with her name engraved on its ear. I’d also managed to order Humphrey’s Corner bedding sets from the UK as I love that character.
The best thing about the crib? Kaitlyn could sleep through the night! And when she was up, she’d play with the crib toys hanging along the rails. She had her beansprout husk pillow, cloth books, a piano, and even a Marie taggie. And boy did she have many funny sleeping poses!
The only time Kaitlyn disliked her crib was when she’s placed there against her will, or when it means she can’t be outside with us. She would scrunch up her face and squeeze her eyes shut as she started her ‘engine’, with her screams and tears following soon after. The moment she realised she wasn’t getting her way, she’d plunge face down into her bed and cry herself out.
As she got bigger, and taller, it was evident that the crib would not be suitable for her anymore, especially if she learnt how to climb out of it. So I hunted around for her next bed. I decided against a toddler bed as that would last only a couple of years. Instead I got her a nice modular bed from local company Piccolo House, where it can be converted to a loft bed in the future if she likes. Kaitlyn looked on eagerly as the bed was assembled, and on National Day, she got to sleep in it for the first time.
There were many concerns with bed transition. Many times I’d read online on how children may refuse to leave their crib, or regress after the excitement is over. However, Kaitlyn took to her new big girl bed like a fish to water. She was delighted by her new soft fluffy pillow, huggable bolster, and new bedsheets. I have to admit, the rainbows and unicorns are heavily influenced by me… I adore them! Her first afternoon nap was easy, with her falling asleep in just 15 minutes!!
When it came to her first night sleep in the new bed, we kept the bedtime routine standard. Meaning, she’ll have her milk, brush her teeth, cuddle up for a bedtime story, tucked into bed with her calling out for her “ban-kit” blanket, lights off, and night projector/lullaby on. She loves looking at the stars on her ceiling before drifting off to dreamland.
She slept through her first night without a hitch. She woke up the next day, a little disoriented at first, then smiled when she saw her new bedding, and dived right back into her pillow and blanket again. Learning to come down from her bed, she was careful and a little unsure as her feet can’t really touch the ground, so she would seek help.
The next few sleeps were also successful, with a few hiccups here and there: she enjoyed her new bedding so much that sometimes she would be happily playing with them instead of falling asleep. So I had to ‘confiscate’ these newfound ‘toys’ until she fell asleep 😂
Not only that, Joshua has commented how interesting and nice Kaitlyn’s new bed is, and has even crawled in to snuggle with her. It is so sweet to see the two so close, with Joshua peek-a-booing with her and the giggles coming from her.
I think she now realises that her new bed is bigger, meaning she can have companions with her! Yes, I’ve even crawled in myself, as we both lie there staring at the night projection of clouds and stars on her ceiling and me singing lullabies to her. It’s a sweet moment, and looks like the start of a new nightly routine.
I just need to be sure that I don’t fall asleep in her bed!
Let them sleep, for when they wake they will move mountains.
Anonymous
