The Unveiling and night and nap one recap

Last week Jackson asked to take a nap in our bed and said he wanted a big boy bed. We decided it was time to make the switch. Finding a time to do it was a bit of a challenge because of course we both wanted to be here to see his reaction and I didn't want it to be on a work-night in case it was a sleepless night. So we started talking to him about how cool a big boy bed would be and that we could get one with trucks on it and thankfully, he was all about having a trucks bed, as he calls it. Sunday afternoon when he woke up from his nap we showed him his new room and he LOVED it! Step one was a success.


Now onto the next challenge...actually sleeping in his big boy bed. We are very lucky in that Jackson has always been a very good sleeper so we were hoping this switch wouldn't change his sleeping habits. Sunday night, I took him upstairs and laid with him while we read two books. Then I said goodnight and shut the door at around 7:30. I heard him talking and singing but he has always had his own winding down routine, even in his crib. I checked the monitor but he had apparently shut the closet doors and since the monitor was on the top shelf in his closet, I couldn't see anything. After about an hour of silence, I was sure he had fallen asleep and figured I would sneak in the room to make sure he was in the bed. As I walked upstairs I saw the light from under his doorway, so I knew it was time to see what he was up to. I walked in to see him sitting in his chair with his hat on and his backpack in his lap. I asked him what he was doing up. Jackson replied, "Mommy, can you help me put my backpack on?" I explained that it was time to go to sleep and we could play with his backpack in the morning. I couldn't help but giggle as I put him back in bed. After that, he went right to sleep and slept until the morning. He didn't fall off the bed at all, which I was worried about. Step two? Also, a success!


Our last challenge was naptime! Most of my friends told me their child stopped taking naps when they moved into the big kid bed so I was determined to do what I could to make sure he would continue to nap. Today went perfectly, just like any other naptime in his crib. He talked for a bit and then fell asleep. I did have to go in there again to open the closet door, for some reason he has to have everything organized and the doors shut...wonder where he gets that from? I guess we'll have to find a better place for the monitor!

Another milestone has just passed and it's definitely been a proud mommy and daddy moment, although I must admit, a bittersweet one! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed and that my baby boy is in a big boy bed and about to turn 3!!! How did that happen?!?!?

London Recap

We just got back yesterday afternoon from a great trip to London. Jackson and I had so much fun pending time with family and Jackson enjoyed a few London firsts, although he refused to taste a scone! He doesn't know what he's missing ;-) Here are some highlights and best memories:

~ My grandfather walks up and down the hallway in his flat every day. The first night we were there, Jackson took his hand and walked with him. It was so cute and sweet, see picture below.
~ We walked to Hyde Park and fed the ducks and pigeons. We couldn't stay too long because it was FREEEEEZING!
~ Delicious afternoon tea at The Grosvenor House, best scone EVER!!!
~ Spent too much time running around the Harrod's toy department but Jackson and Emerson loved it. They had a huge Buzz Lightyear made out of Legos that Jackson was obsessed with, see picture below of Jackson hugging Buzz. And another picture of Jackson dressed up as Buzz, aka his new obsession.
~ Jackson made a new friend at a playdate my aunt hosted for us. They had so much fun playing and telling each other stories.
~ A trip to the aquarium which was unfortunately cut short because Jackson had an allergic reaction. We rushed home to get him medicine and ended up having to take him to the ER. Luckily it was a one day episode and he was all better by the next morning.
~ It only took a few days for Auntie (me) and Jackson to teach Emerson the "Uh oh, uh uh oh..." from "Single Ladies." Now as soon as the song starts, she dances and sings that part, it's super cute!
~ Jackson slept on a regular mattress for the first time in London. He is still in a crib at home and has used a pack n play on previous trips. I'm so proud of how great he did. Of course, he did have his nightly roll off the mattress but since it was on the floor, he was okay and it didn't even wake him. I would hear him tumble off and just scoop him up and put him back on the mattress. However, on our last night there, Jackson thought it would be a good idea to lock himself in the room. Although it took less than two minutes for my Aunt to bring me the key to the room, it felt like hours and I was freaking out!

We already miss everyone so much and hope to see everyone on our side of the pond very soon.

Entering the construction zone!

Jackson's new room is officially finished! Jackson and I are leaving town this Friday to visit family in London so we have decided to wait until after our trip to make the transition. He has no idea he is getting a new room, let alone a "construction site!" Here are a few more pics showing the wall decor and a few other furniture pieces, as you can see, we've kept it pretty simple, he won't have toys in his bedroom just books. Hopefully the next post will include a video clip of Jackson's reaction to his new room!!!


A little background on this poem...Tamara and I used to share a room when we were younger and we had a "Why God Made Little Girls" poem hung up and I have given my niece the same poem to hang in her bedroom. So when I found there was a similar poem for boys, I had to find a place for it in Jackson's room.

Jackson's New Room

Once Jackson climbed out of his crib last month, we knew we would have to start getting his new room ready complete with a big boy bed! Nana and Jiddu (my parents) were generous to give us a twin bed from their guest bedroom and Mimi and PopPop (Nick's parents) were so helpful and brought the bed up to Columbia for us...thank you grandparents!

And so it begins...I spent hours deciding on a new theme for his bedroom and searching for bedding and accessories and enjoyed every minute of it! Jackson has no idea that he is getting a new room, bed or anything in it. We decided on a contstruction truck theme and I have slowly been putting the room together in my "spare" time. Here are a few preliminary pics showing the progress...next on my list is the wall decor! A special thanks to Auntie Tamara for helping me with the decisions and putting up with countless picture messages!

Two days in a row?!?!?

No I'm not referring to my blogging regularity although that would be relevant with this title also. I am referring to Jackson and how he doesn't "need" me anymore and/or questions my knowledge (see post from yesteday). He just banged his elbow and said "Mommy, I hurt myself!" I replied with, "I'm sorry, come here and I'll kiss it better." Normally he comes right over, I give him a kiss and hug and he's completely healed :) Not today! Instead, Jackson said, "No Mommy, you're not a doctor, I need Daddy." Talk about a slap in the face! The good news is Nick was on his way home so Jackson didn't have to wait long to feel better.

And so it begins

We came home after school and as usual Jackson asked for a snack. He couldn't decide what he wanted so I decided to offer him something new, vanilla pudding. He loved it and was eating it up. Here's how our conversation went about midway through the snack...
Jackson: "Mommy, it's good, I like vanilla ice cream."
Me: "It's not ice cream, it's pudding."
J: "No, it's ice cream....see???"
We had a few more exchanges similar to that with me explaining the differences between ice cream and pudding. Then I guess Jackson had enough or felt sorry for me that I wasn't "getting it" so he walked over to me, started patting my shoulder and said, "It's okay Mommy, we all make accidents (his word for mistakes). It's vanilla ice cream."

On one hand, I can't believe he's already questioning me. I guess he isn't going to believe everything I tell him anymore. But on the other hand and the brighter side, at least I can give him pudding instead of ice cream!

Jacksonisms...well kind of...

Nick and Jackson watched Monsters, Inc. this afternoon. Towards the end I am told there is a somewhat sad part (I haven't seen the movie and I don't want to give it away if others haven't seen it yet either). Nick told me he glanced over at Jackson and noticed he had the saddest look on his face and was tearing up. My baby boy is so sensitive and empathetic...well towards monsters at least ;-)