Bunk Beds!

I've had a few questions about how transitioning the boys to bunk beds has gone...so I thought I'd write a little post.  Plus some day I'll look back and remember the crazy things we parents of little ones talk and think about 😁

We decided when we were pregnant early on with Kendry that we were going to have Jacoby and Maddox share a room.  Technically we have 5 bedrooms, but one is a room above the garage that is the perfect play room and the other one is so small, that we just keep it as an office for the time being. 

So we decided on bunk beds and them sharing a room.  I started talking to Jacoby months back about how they were going to share a room and that they would have bunk beds (showed him a pic so he knew what we meant!).  He was sooo excited that he'd get to go up a ladder and sleep up high AND have his brother with him.  He would ask every so often, when does Bubba get to sleep in my room?

Once we got the bunk beds up, I still felt like Maddox was so little and they were both sleeping so well...I was kinda nervous to change it up.  We decided to just let Jacoby get used to it first.  I told him he could sleep on top or bottom to start out, just in case it felt like it was too much.  We got them new alligator bedding and I'm pretty sure that sealed the deal for him!  The first night, he climbed up to the top, was so excited and went to sleep as normal and slept all night.  I did give him a melatonin pill before bed (which we use rarely).  We used it mainly because he was so excited and I wasn't sure he'd be able to calm himself down 😉

We still used his "ok to wake" alarm clock and when it turned blue he just called "mommy, daddy...my light is blue!"  He didn't climb down or try to get out by himself!  Success, right?!?  tThe transition seemed so easy for him.  He can be super sensitive to things, although he has always been really good with transitions! I should have known he'd be golden.

After a couple of weeks, on a random night I said, Jacoby- do you want Maddox to sleep in your room with you tonight? 

Both boys just kept saying YEAAHHHH.

So we did the normal routine of bath, jammies, book, pray + lights out.  

Nate & I sat in the room with them once the lights were out just for a few minutes so Maddox wouldn't be completely spooked.  I reminded Coby he had to be really quiet so Maddox could sleep and he did sooo good (he would do just about anything to have Maddox sleep with him!).

We left after about 5ish minutes in the room and they both fell asleep and slept all night!

It felt SO good to know they both were comfortable and happy.

A few things to note:

1. Jacoby has never been one to get out of his bed or room.  Maddox hasn't ever been able to (since he was in the crib), and since Jacoby stayed in his bed, I think Maddox just did the same. 

2. I attribute a lot of Maddox's comfort to him being what I call a "social sleeper".  He always just wanted Nate & I in the room for 5 minutes before he fell asleep.  He didn't need us to rock him or even touch him, just our presence while he fell asleep.  Jacoby is now that person and it works beautifully.

3.  They have started getting a little more curious as the weeks go on and so we continue to set ground rules that they are aware of.  Maddox does what Jacoby does, so really making sure Jacoby understands what needs to happen is key.

4. If they aren't settling down, I threaten to take Maddox back to his crib (it's still up for Kendry...).  I've actually taken Maddox back in his room and set him in his crib and he FLIPS.  I wait like 5 seconds, put him back in the bottom bunk with Jacoby and they both know I'm not messing around an go to sleep! hahaha.

5. Maddox is not allowed on the top bunk at all, at the moment.  He's too little and is FAR too prone to accidents (I mean, 5 stitches in his head 2 days would tell you so, yes?).  So Jacoby knows they can't play up there and he's only allowed up there to sleep.  They both know the rules, but obviously it's tough to not want to jump and play up there, so we keep a close eye!

6. We've had a little bit of a set back as far as wake up times go.  They usually both slept till 8:30 but right now it's closer to 8.  Maddox is usually still sleeping and Coby wakes up, goes into Maddox's bed and talks to him.  It's adorable, but I ask Jacoby to at least wait until his clock turns blue (8:15).  He usually wakes around 8, so that gives him 15 minutes of quiet wake up time.  Some days he listens, some days he's just so excited to see his brother I guess 😋

7. We got THIS bumper for Maddox and have been really happy with it! It's super easy to use and he can climb in/out well but doesn't roll out of bed at all! Also, Maddox pees through his diaper regularly because he sleeps on his tummy and messes with his diaper (ugh...) so this is super easy to take in/out, which has been a blessing!

8. I have the comforter pulled back half way on  Maddox's bed for now, and no pillow.  He sleeps with a couple stuffed animals and his blanket, that's about it.  I'm sure he'd be fine but it just gives him a little more time to sleep like he did in his crib before adding a pillow. 

Overall, it's been a really smooth transition and it makes this mama heart so happy.  They come out of the room together and come crawl into our bed every morning and it's just the sweetest thing.  I've really seen their bond grow and it's so FUN.  It makes me a lot less worried for Kendry's arrival, knowing the older 2 boys will be sleeping well and comfortable!

Oh...and they just seem so BIG sleeping in bunk beds together.  Time is flying!

xox,

Naomi