Monday, October 26, 2009

A Bedtime Story

While I was busy sipping cocktails and dancing on tables in Vegas, I left HH with toddler-sized problem and guess what...he fixed it. For this I owe him big-time, though I have tried making payment with blueberry pancakes and a 6 pack of Guinness. That counts as currency in man world, right?

What fantastic feat did HH do to deserve such service, you ask? He taught our 21 month old how to sleep in his toddler bed. In one weekend.


Don't you wish every problem could be like that? Your toddler gives you yet another puzzle to solve and you promptly leave on a trip, letting hubby figure it out.

Me: What? Noah's biting his friends again at the park? I think I will fly off to Italy tomorrow and let YOU handle this one honey. Have it solved by Monday morning, ok?

Ummm, yeah, so it didn't totally go like that. It was more like... "Oh frick. Oh frick. Noah's jumping out of his crib again and I am leaving for the weekend. Please God, what is this crappy timing about? Can't this wait until he's 5? Yes, I think 5 is a good time for a toddler bed..."

Then later:
"Double frick! Now that he's in his toddler bed, he won't stay in there. I think we have to lock his door at night...Does this make me a bad mother? Am I damaging him emotionally?"

Yah, so I was a little stressed out. I left for Vegas with a very guilty mommy conscience.

So how did HH perform his miracle? With a simple little trick - a nightlight. On Saturday, he and Noah went out and bought this:



It charges on a dock, so you don't have to worry about a cord and it doesn't get hot. It also turns many different colors and has a timing mode that shuts off automatically in 15 minutes.

For some reason this little gems works wonders. I guess, like his Mama, Noah is not a big fan of the dark. HH, knowing his wife so well, thought maybe his son might benefit from a night-light friend he could hold while he slept (I call my friend my iPhone).

Phew, what a difference it made! No more screaming and banging on the door. No more hyper-ventilation crying. At the end of his bedtime routine each night, we hand him is GlowMate. He whines briefly when his door is shut and sometimes will check the door knob, but mostly he just lays in his bed, playing and talking to his light until he falls asleep.

I no longer feel guilty for locking his door, because I know he is much safer not roaming around the house. And I can sleep easy, with a happy heart, knowing his "friend" is keeping him company.

Thank you, thank you, HH for making this story have a happy ending.

BTW, Noah's still peeing on the carpet. I think it might be a good time for me to visit Sufia in Africa. Be back in a week...

13 comments:

Candice said...

I am so dreading the toddler bed transition. Good job HH!

Jen said...

that is awesome!!! way to go HH!

Erin said...

Wow- awesome job!

La Jolla Mom said...

Wow, that's pretty good. My daughter is 2.5 and loves her crib. Need to convert and dreading it.

Claremont First Ward said...

Who would have known about a night light like that? And, KUDOS to your husband for accomplishing such a tremendous parenting feat!

Anonymous said...

Oooh that is a cool night light!

Sassy Chica said...

Got it, our next trip is planned for Africa...not sure we can make a go of it in a weekend, but I'm game:) So happy your hubby did well while you were gone and your toddler is sleeping in his own bed.

Smooches,
Sassy Chica

Lesley said...

Go HH!....I bet you have much more confidence now that you can get away and you'll come back to an issue free existence...lol....I totally think that deserves a couple of cases of guiness....and uninterrupted man tv time...

Alicia said...

woo hoo! way to go hubs!! thats awesome! and i LOVE that nightlight, you have to let me know where you found it! next time you need a vacation just drive a few hours north and we'll have ourselves a little retail therapy!!!

Sassy Chica said...

Hello Dahhhling...

I heart you and your blog and have passed you a Fabulous Award, click on ova and check it out!

Smooches,
Sassy Chica

ahem, be sure to prepare an acceptance speech...kidding(kinda).

judy said...

Rae Rae,

You are too funny and what a great Mom....I love reading about Noah and all your adventures of Mommiehood.....I am so glad I got to watch you grow, from childhood, into such an amazing woman, wife and Mother.

Lesley said...

BTW...I"ve got two awards for you over at my place!

MaggieK said...

That is great....and in only one weekend...WOW