Nighmares and anxiety

Sometimes I see Amelia as such a big girl. She is independent, vocal, and intelligent. But every now and then, something changes in our lives. And she becomes my baby girl again.

Out of the blue, we have been challenged with night fears. Amelia woke at 1:30 a.m. the other night yelling, "Mommy, Daddy, I'm scared!". Her little body was shaking all over and her eyes were dilated huge & black. It took quite a while to calm her. But even then, she would not stay in her room alone. I tried sleeping on her bedroom floor, but I was too uncomfortable to remain there. The floor let out a small squeak upon my attempt to sneak out, and Amelia woke again, screaming for me not to leave her.

That night she slept in a pack-n-play in our room. She fell asleep right away and we all got some rest until morning.

Yesterday, she cried for a few minutes when I left her for naptime. But her exhaustion took over quickly and she was able to get a luxurious 2-hour nap. Night was a different story - the panic set in again. She cries like we've never heard her cry before. She clings to us like her life depends on a physical connection between us. Steve sat in the chair in her room until she fell asleep. Luckily, he was much more successful upon sneaking out than I had been previously.

Last night she stayed in her room. She cried out again at 1:45 a.m. "Mommy, Daddy, help me!". Once again, Steve went in to calm her (he is WAY better at getting her calmed down than I am. I tend to freak out with her... not ideal.), and managed to get back to bed in about 30 minutes.

This morning, Amelia was proud of herself for making it through the night in her room. Wish us luck for tonight! It breaks my heart that she has fears. Her world is supposed to be comfortable. And fun. And full of toys. Scary things do not belong!

Not a peep from Sleeping Beauty

Amelia mastered the big girl bed on her very first try! As soon as she realized what we were doing with her crib, she became excited. And her first up & down into the big girl bed gave her a big, glowing grin across that adorable baby face. She went right to sleep and did not make a peep until morning.

And even though she had the freedom to get out of bed, did she? Nope! She waited for us to come in and get her, then asked us to watch her get out of bed and clap for her. Yay, Amelia! A big girl bed pro.

I'm not sure what naptime will be like. Especially the days she doesn't want to nap. Maybe she'll at least enjoy quiet time in her room, with the choice to climb in bed or not. Fingers crossed!

But will she sleep in it?

We converted to the BIG GIRL BED today! We took the drop side off our drop-side crib and installed a pink "sure & secure" bed rail. The crib wasn't meant to convert, but it is too pretty to put in storage so soon (see a catalog image of it HERE). It is built very well and seems quite sturdy with 3 sides and the mattress frame still in place.

The bed rail also wasn't meant for a crib, but it hooks onto the frame just like it would a box spring and seems to be fine. We're breaking rules left & right, but I think it is going to work. We added a cute wooden step stool to match Amelia's furniture, and she's up & down like a pro!

She made us watch her go up & down into the bed a few times already. She is very excited and proud of herself.

But will she sleep in it? Wish us luck tonight! And for upcoming nap times... yikes.