Cooper's Big Boy Bed

My original plan was to keep Cooper in his cage crib for as long as possible.  He went down so nicely in that thing and nap time was no different.  But recently Cooper thought it was a great idea to rip his diaper off and pee in his bed or out of it, at some point during his nap and/or in the morning when he woke up (every single day!).  I was getting very sick of scrubbing the crib and the carpet, and of course washing sheets, blankets, and his mattress pad 1-2 times a day.  I started wondering if maybe I should just transition him to a big bed so that I could start potty training him.  I was also hoping that being free to get out of bed and come out of his room might also distract him from wanting to pee everywhere.  So I made the call.  To my dad, that is.  He bought this bed for Julien to sleep in when we use to visit him in CA (when he lived there and Julien was little; he is now in Texas).  I knew he had it in storage and wasn't using it, so I asked if I could buy it from him.  Being the generous guy that he is, he gave it to us!!  It's really nice and we are so thankful!  I still want to give him something for it!  Thanks again, Dad!!!! 

Rich picked it up and put it together with a little help from us. 

At first Cooper was so excited and was jumping on it and squealing with delight.  His brothers were feeling pretty jealous too.  They fell right in love with that comfy bed.  Sorry, no pictures for that part.

By bedtime, Cooper was saying "noooo" and would not lie down.  So I caved and laid down next to him.  The first night, he drifted off to sleep pretty easily with me next to him.

So I  grabbed my camera.  Where is he in that big bed???:)  And you better believe that that crib mattress was/still is next to his bed in case he rolls off.  Hey, I don't have a rail.  It makes me feel better for the time being. 

He is just so precious.

Gotta get every angle.  Why do parents melt over things like this?  Rich was standing in the room as I was taking these and he was oohing and awing over him too.

There's just something about this transition that tugs at our hearts.  Such a little guy in a big bed. 

And here it is all made:).

These are Cooper's favorite guys to sleep with.  Yes, he prefers to have both Pooh Bears.  And every night he kisses and hugs them before going to sleep. 

We are a couple of weeks into this transition now and it's not going so well.  Actually, the peeing all over has stopped.  He only did that the first night.  When it comes time to go to bed, it's...well, making me really miss the crib.  At first I was lying with him just to help him get used to it.  Then that stopped working because he would get up and start playing, so I resorted to locking the door and letting him cry it out.  Each night the cries have lessened but he still falls asleep next to the door.  I wait until he has been asleep for a while and I unlock the door and I have to push his little body with the door, just to open it.  I put him to bed and some nights he sleeps through the night, and most nights he climbs in bed with us.  Not a habit I want to stick, but hopefully he will adjust soon and be comfortable alone in his room.  My other boys adjusted really well.  Julien was only 19 months when we transitioned him and he was fine.  Jonah was fine because he shared a room with Julien.  If the rooms were big enough I would put all three boys together, but they aren't.  I plan on potty training him in the next month or two.  *A note to myself to remember...  When Rich or I lie in bed with him at night, he kisses his stuffed animals, makes us kiss them too, and will randomly reach over and give us a big hug and kiss.  It's presh!