Outsmarting Number Three

I am a firm believer that each new addition to our family brings an increased level of creativity and ingenuity. This is sometimes hard for Eric and I to handle as we are constantly being tested to see if we can outsmart the newest version. James has become particularly adept at giving us new challenges to overcome.

 

Recently James learned how to climb out of his crib. When I say he learned how to climb out, I mean that one minute he was in his crib and the next he wasn't. He didn't even have the decency to wait until I left the room at bedtime to perform his new trick. I put him back in, thinking it was fluke, and he did it again before I could even step away from the crib. With a heavy sigh of reluctant acceptance, I took off the front of the crib, patted his head, and left him and his two older brothers to create their new normal. Within a few minutes of leaving the bedroom, my three hooligans were downstairs. Adam was complaining that James had turned off their movie, Caleb was asking for more toys so that he and James could play, and James was gesturing happily and squealing in delight at his new freedom. I once again traveled upstairs to fix Adam's issues and settle everyone back into bed. It took me a full week to fully "James proof" the boys' bedroom. He found things to get into that neither of his brothers had ever considered.

 

I'm sure these look familiar to anyone who has ever had a toddler. James can't actually open doors yet but Caleb can and we found that James was especially adept at convincing Caleb to do just that. We got way too many visits from the two of them. After we put the doorknob on we only got visits when Adam needed something. Unfortunately, Caleb learned to pull the doorknob off after only two nights and Eric and I were once again forced to parent way too often after-hours. 

 

The boys have a tv in their room so they can watch some dvds at bedtime. I know that it's probably bad for them but Adam panics without it because of his SPD and I haven't yet figured out how to keep blindfolds on the other two so they don't see it as well :) James learned very quickly that he could simply unplug the cords if he wanted to shut the whole thing down and irritate his brothers. I had to run the cords around the top of the wall and down behind the bunk bed to outsmart him. Pretty, isn't it. I should be an interior designer.

 

James refused to sleep in his crib-turned-bed so Eric and I put a mattress on the floor like we have done for our other boys. Despite our best attempts, James continued to sleep on the floor, usually in that small area above between his mattress and the bunkbed. Sometimes he also slept in front of the door which made getting in and out a challenge. We finally broke down and bought him a toddler bed which he really loves. It has high sides that make him feel protected and a soft mattress that he can bounce on. What good parents we are.

 

After all our hard work, we ultimately decided to move James to the playroom to sleep by himself. He doesn't like it because he feels like he is missing out on the fun in the other room but Eric and I were jut getting way too worn down from all the commotion three boys can create when they are in one enclosed area together. Maybe if I have more energy we will try again in a few months. Until then, we have temporarily outsmarted number three.