The 28th month has been a tough month of transitions.
TRANSITION #1 (The Big Bed!)
The quick summary of the last month is that Henry has had a little trouble after the newness of the big bed wore off. We didn't take down the crib as soon as we should have and he may have developed a little confusion on where he was suppose to sleep. I was/am determined to not have to stay in his room until he falls asleep but he is having a hard to staying in bed. There were 3 nights in a row he choose to sleep in the crib after about 30 minutes of continually getting out of the bed. I guess the good news through all of this is that he is sleeping all night - he has only woke up a few times since the move to the big bed.
At the beginning of the 28th month Henry had transitioned to the big bed . . so we thought. It has been a challenging month of fine-tuning nap/bedtime routines, neither of which is close to being perfected. I have tried to sit outside his room, on the other side of the baby gate, so he would know I was nearby and he was not alone but it seemed to be a game to him – he kept coming over to give hugs and get kisses. I then moved inside his room; Henry likes someone to lay on his floor (who doesn't?) BUT it does not help him settle down, at least not if I’m the person on his floor. No matter if I’m on his floor for 5 minutes or 20 minutes he will continually get up and come over to me with a request or comment. No matter how much time is spent on his floor it just seems to be a waste of time and prolongs the inevitable. Nearly as soon as I leave his room the crying/screaming begins. We’ve tried keeping his door open so he knows he is not alone and he alternates between crying/whining at the gate at his doorway and running back to the bed and burying his head in the pillow (muffled crying over the monitor). He’ll try to use the potty excuse as a reason to get someone to come to his room. The other night he kept repeating his name. He has knocked the baby gate over a few times and earned himself a spot in the crib. He has cried/whined for close to 45 minutes at which time I visited his room and been hit with a request for the crib. Thinking the crib isn’t so much a threat for Henry to stay in the bed but more confusing than anything (where am I really supposing to be sleeping?) we did remove the crib from his room the weekend before last. One night this past week, after already fulfilling the potty request, close to 9 pm I heard the words "Mommy" and "Poopy" coming from his room. I slowly made my way up to his room – he had taken off his jammie bottoms AND his diaper AND thrown his diaper over the baby gate, there had been poop in the diaper . . and evidence that he had visited his bed after removing his dirty diaper. YUCK! We gave him a stern lecture but wouldn't be surprised if it happened again. There isn't much Henry could do that would surprise me.
I wish he could understand how much it frustrates me up to listen to him cry after I leave his room. I have tried to coddle him and play into his hands but enough is enough and after sitting/laying/negotiating with him for so long each night I draw the line. There is plenty of other things to do before my own bedtime and this is turning into a period of tough love. If only he knew I return to his room after the crying/screaming stops to make sure he made it to bed and cover him up. Yes, Henry, I do love you.
TRANSITION #2 (Potty Training Boot Camp!)
The other big transition in the past month has been the official move to briefs. About 2 ½ weeks ago Henry wore briefs to daycare and we have not looked back since (other than naps/bedtime), though he has tried a few times! He will protest trips to the potty at home . . only to turn around and wet himself minutes later. Up until a few days ago I hardly considered him potty trained since it was all about timing the trips to the potty but I think he is more aware and has more control than I give him credit for. Luckily (at least for now), he is much more willing to let us know he has to go potty when we are out in public. Luckily, he does not mind the big potty. I think he prefers it. I did discover he likes to sit on the big potty with his knees bent, feet on the front of the potty seat. I've been told one (or more) friends do it at school.
Before making the official move to briefs Henry tried wearing briefs at home the weekend before. It was hit and miss, literally. On that Saturday he had 3 successful trips to the potty and 3 mishaps. On that Sunday, he held it 4 hours refusing it even sit on the potty a few times, before the damn broke. I really wasn't sure what to expect the first day he wore briefs to daycare.
The first day Henry wore briefs to daycare he had one accident, and unfortunately one more just before bath time at home though he had just sat on the potty. Day two was 100% success at daycare . .however, within 20 minutes of arriving at home, less than an hour after the last visit to the potty his pants were wet. His teachers have been great in getting him to the potty A LOT in an attempt to avoid any accidents.
The weekend before last weekend he played the “I go potty” game twice at church. . .this weekend FIVE times! Of those five times he did go four times . . I'm not ready to call his bluff yet. I'm sure the potty training fun will continue for awhile.
OTHER EVENTS IN HENRY'S LIFE
One amazing story from the past month was one night during a recent cold Mike announce "It's time for water nose" as he was walking to the bathroom." Henry stopped what he was doing and walked to the bathroom willingly, there was crying, no kicking of the feet, nothing. It was incredible and does not seem to be a fluke as it has happened a few times since.
Henry is a little ham. Most afternoons when leaving school we have to spend a few moments on the stage that is used during chapel. Henry likes to jump around while singing (shouting?) "I may never march in the infantry".
The fingernail that was injured last month when it was pinched in a door loosened enough it had to be cut off almost two weeks ago. Wonder how long it'll take before the new nail grows out.
Henry has taken a turn of shyness toward Father at church. For months he has gone to the friend during the time kids bring up their offering. Twice in the past month Henry has refused to go up.
Henry likes to look at the newspaper ads and point out various items pictured. He loves looking at puppies (ie. dogs) but has absolutely no desire to get close to one. We review food items on sale and he'll ask about some of the items.
He is not very good on the phone as he gets distracted by all the buttons and usually will hang up on whoever he is talking to within seconds.
He is getting better at pulling his pants and briefs down. I think he could put his arms in his shirt sleeves if he feels determined. One day after nap I entered his room only to see his shirt all twisted up like he had taken his arms out and then put them back in.
Henry likes to jump. He'll take a few steps and then jump. It is fun to watch. He seems to have pretty good balance. He likes walking down the stairs in the middle of the stairway and NOT holding on to the railing. I just cringe as I watch him, holding my breathe until he safely makes it down the stairs.
Chances are we've got a lefty on our hands; Henry heavily favors his left hand when coloring and holding utensils.
Any worry I had of Henry having a delay in his speech is gone. He may substitute some sounds for others but he is quite talkative and will repeat about any word asked of him.
He can be very thoughtful - if he gets his cup of milk in the fridge and sees Ralph's milk, he'll also take it out of the fridge and take it to Ralph. On the flip side, I have heard him say "I had it first" and "it's mine" a few too many times. It all depends on his mood. He still says "no" rather than "yes" way too many times each day.
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