The Beginnings of being a Big Girl

We decided that it was time to start transitioning Camryn out of her crib. Even though she has not crawled out of it yet . . . Scott decided that she really is ready for a big girl bed. Well it arrived at our door several weeks ago but we had to wait to set it up because when we opened the original delivery there was a one inch paint chip missing from the headboard. Scott reluctantly agreed to wait (I think he was more excited for the bed than Camryn initially.). Camryn used the box as her little stage for two weeks as we were waiting for the new headboard to arrive.

Well it finally arrived and Scott decided a Wednesday night would be a good night to set it up. Camryn was really excited and helped her Daddy put all the screws in the right holes.

She had to go to bed before the new bed was finished which was a very good thing because after it was set up we didn't want it in our living room and thought we could just store the built bed in our guest bedroom (hint, hint, hint . . . that means come visit us). Well it didn't fit through the door. So out in the hallway it sat until Camryn woke up Thursday morning. She was soooo excited for her new "nigh-nigh" bed. As you can see.
Until we made her sleep in it Thursday night. I followed the regular routine - Start bedtime at 7:30, read 2 books, 2 songs and then bed. I laid her down in her bed and left the room. She followed her regular routine and cried for 5 minutes and stopped. We started watching our Lost DVR episode and I paused it a few times because I thought I heard her but nothing came of it. Until about a half hour later (8:00) we hear the footsteps patting down the hallway and Camryn comes out "all done" nods her head "all done." Now, as a parent I am a little worried it took her over a half hour to realize she could actually get out of this bed but I suppose I could chalk it up to her good discipline. (Who am I kidding? I have yet to use a time out.)

So I rocked her a little bit and put her back to bed. She cried immediately so I laid down with her. Scott peaked his head in and informed me the bed states it only holds 60 pounds (I'm only a little over that right?). Well it definitely held more than twice that so thanks Carter's. I left after approximately 15 minutes but it felt like forever (really the bed could collapse at any moment).

She cried again. This time it only took 10 minutes for her to leave her bed. So I sent in the reinforcement, Scott. I don't know what he did when he went in there but he was in there for at least 15 minutes. He left and she cried again but she didn't come out. We finally settled back down to our Lost episode around 9:30 I think.

This is how we found her when we went to bed at 10:30.

Successfully, I moved her into the correct position without waking her and she stayed in bed until 5 AM. A relative success if you ask me.

Grandma & Grandpa Visit

Bruce and Donna came out for the weekend to spend time with Camryn. They decided to help Camryn pursue her current dreams of being the next top chef.
Camryn patiently watched while the chocolate got 'hot' and melted.
She stirred with the wrists of a professional chef.
Then when it came time to do the dipping and the dunking she delegated the responsibility like any top chef would.
And then tasted the final product with much satisfaction.
Honestly, Camryn watched as Bruce, Donna and Scott dipped and dunked over 50 mini pretzel rods in valentines day colors. Scott insisted on making red and white swirled not striped pretzel rods and he did succeed.

Bruce and Donna watched Camryn and took her to Whitey's while Scott and I enjoyed our first dinner out alone in a long time. Okay our first dinner out alone since our fabulous New Year's Eve dinner at Bonsoiree in Chicago. (Seriously if you live in Chicago and want a fabulous dinner check it out, it is in the $$$ price range but dinner is usually a 2 1/2 hour to 3 hour affair). Unfortunately, Bass Street Chop House in Moline, IL didn't even come close. However, the ability to converse with Scott without a little munchkin running around was well worth it.

Bruce and Donna helped us prepare for our Super Bowl party before they left. Bruce helped me to convince Scott that yes we really did need to put the couch in the basement.

Snow Day!!!

I had a snow day today so Camryn stayed home with me and Scott didn't have an account visit until later. So we Scott shoveled the driveway (I shoveled the sidewalk). Then we decided maybe Camryn just doesn't know she likes snow and sledding yet. We were wrong.

She didn't mind going down the hill so much or being pulled in the sled. But she DID NOT like walking in the snow. While Scott shoveled the driveway Camryn stayed in the garage.(If you click on the picture below to enlarge you can see how much she enjoyed her sled ride.

One thing she does enjoy is getting ready to go outside. Because as she says "brrr" meaning it's cold and we have to put a "hat" on. This is what she did after being inside for awhile. She took her pants off (I have no idea why) and put her hat, scarf and boots on.