The Transition

With a heavy heart, and a worried mind - we lowered Reese's crib. I knew after sitting her in the crib to fill a bath and to come back to find her on her knees playing with Dad - it was time.

Once night came - I was panicked. How would I do this. I went in to start our nighttime routine . . . and added in lowering the crib rail so I could put her in. We changed into jammies, had a few teething tablets, put on Halo Sleepsacks, turned on music and humidifier. We sat together in the dark and rocked and nursed. I was hoping tonignt she would NOT fall alseep on the boob - but she did. Over to the crib we go, lowered in no prob! Now, how the heck to I pull up the side, in the dark? I had practiced but your mind goes blank in the dark room. I pull it up, and it won't click. Oh crap. I have to click it, or she could pull on it and it will come down. I did, and it woke her.

I leaned over the crib, still on my stool and rubbed her back. I rubbed and rubbed until my fingers went a little numb and my feet started to tingle. My back ached, but I kept up until she stopped fighting. I rubbed and rubbed. Finally, she stopped squirming and I was able to lightly rub with one hand, finally stop rubbing and then finally my hand was off.

She slept that night, on her tummy until 6:30am. Not a peep.

What is funny is I have used this method probably a thousand times over with my many Preschool and Pre-k students. I just wasn't sure Reese was ready . . . I guess I wasn't ready to let go of her falling asleep in my arms. I enjoyed being her source of not only nutrients but comfort. She needs that comfort to be something else . . . she needs to sleep well and not wake looking for my arms.

We have been successful, even if it takes awhile for 4 days now. Let's hope it remains.

The very sad looking empty crib.