Thursday, November 12th was like any other school year weekday for the Brothers Kocanuts. There was small diversion from the regular routine: I took the boys to school because I had parent teacher conferences. Nevertheless,Walnut and Peanut both went to school. I went to work and returned in the evening, right before bedtime.
Digression: Peanut is a horrible sleeper. WE have tried every trick in the book: crib sleeping, co-sleeping, floor sleeping, holding little Peanut, etc. You name it-WE HAVE TRIED IT. However, Peanut seemed to be turning a corner with the inception of the makeshift bed in his room. If Bob or I stayed next to him he would fall asleep. We would transfer him to the crib and, for the most part, would stay asleep until 5:30 a.m.
I arrived home at 7:50 p.m. and was greeted at the door by Walnut. He informed me that Bob was trying to put Peanut to sleep and that I was the next and only candidate for 'playing with Walnut' time. However, I heard Peanut's little voice at the top of the steps and recognized that Walnut was watching
Thomas the Tank Engine and Peanut had heard the train sounds. Bob seemed a little frazzled as he was traveling the entire day and the boys were a little uncooperative. I scooped up Peanut, took care of Walnut and we selected our reading material for storytime. Walnut likes the
Cordouroy books, especially the flap books.
Peanut was a bit excited to be in his big brother's bed. He was bouncing all over the place until I used the word-CRIB. Then , he listened, put his head on his pillow and fell asleep like a precious angel. We decided to let both of them sleep for a while before transferring Peanut to his crib. They were totally angelic and so cute to boot.
Bob and I watched an
X-Files episode and I headed up to bed. About twenty minutes later, shrill screams from our youngest resonated throughout the top floor of our suburban home. I ran in to see what had happened. I am not sure why I always run in to see him. I know that he is manipulating me. Nevertheless, I calmed Peanut down and went back to sleep.
Peanut woke up again, same routine here. I went in to his dark room only to find him ready to get down and play. I made the decision, that dreaded decision-I was going to let him cry it out! CRY IT OUT!
What was I thinking? I gently placed him in his crib, closed the door, closed the gate in his doorway and went to bed. Well, what do you suppose happened? He screamed and yelled and sobbed and wailed. I was trying to stay strong. It was difficult. I was going to be triumphant. Bob closed our door a little after approximately twenty minutes of Peanut's hysterics. Mind you: Walnut's room is right next to Peanut's room...no movement, no awakening, nudda! Walnut was OUT!
A few moments later, I heard the screaming coming closer to me. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! Half asleep I said to Bob, "What's happening?"
I jumped out of bed to find Peanut in front of our bedroom door and at the top of the steps!!! Peanut-in true Peanut fashion-succeeded. The main characteristic that our 18 month old possesses is sheer DETERMINATION. He will persevere at ALL costs.
Here's the play by play: 1.) Peanut took of his pajama bottoms and socks which I found in his crib. 2.) He then
CLIMBED OUT OF THE CRIB onto either his toy box or rocking chair (no thud was heard). 3.) He managed to
OPEN THE GATE. I
had seen him trying to do this earlier that day to no avail. 4.) Tried to head downstairs until we caught him.
You may ask yourself,
'Isn't he only eighteen months old?' The answer is YES!
Bob and I both freaked out. My first reaction was sheer relief as he was not hurt. The second reaction was complete amazement. The last reaction was comparison. Walnut had NEVER tried to accomplish such a feat in his toddler years. Peanut was very angry at me as well. He would only go to his father. He was angry because I was the one who put him in the crib to cry it out. We reunited and he fell asleep with us.
Peanut is no longer sleeping in the crib. We're moving to the toddler bed. Wish us luck!
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