How I Solved my Toddler's Insomnia

I am not really sure why my son started to have sleep problems. Could have been his brain didn't know how to shut off, or his new trick of climbing out of the crib was just a little too fun to pass up. Whatever the reason, bedtime is now a breeze again and we are feeling a little bit more sane in that department.

The problem:
McKay (2 years old) learned how to climb out his crib. He started to climb out the second we would leave the room and even started helping his twin brother get out. He would jump on the bed, laugh, and wreak havoc for about 3-4 hours until he would fall asleep with one of us sitting in a chair at his bedside policing him so he would not get out. Bedtime would start at 8 PM and he would be asleep at midnight. Then he would wake up at 2 AM and stay awake until 5 AM. Now, as you could imagine, we were going insane. With after bedtime being Sean's only time to study while I am working nights, this was not working out for us at all!

The solution:
I asked the pediatrician what in the world we should do. She made some suggestions and this is what I put together: That night I moved Brody (his twin brother who is a champion sleeper) in to our oldest daughter's room with his crib. Then I took McKay's crib down and put together a toddler bed. I child proofed the entire room and removed all toys. Lastly, I put a child proof doorknob cover on the inside of the door. I put him to bed that night and said, calmly, "McKay, if you stay in your bed, I will leave the door open but if you get out of bed, I will have to close the door to remind you to stay in your bed at bedtime. Love you" I left the room and McKay was right out of bed. "Sorry McKay, looks like we'll have to close the door to help you remember it's bedtime." I shut the door and he started screaming. I let him cry for about 5 minutes and opened the door again. "Would you like to try it again? Stay in bed and I will leave the door open." Again he came out and I shut the door again. He cried and soon fell asleep by the door of his room with his little hand under the door in a perfect fan. I felt really horrible but the pediatrician had assured me that some children need this boundary or their body literally can't shut off. The next night was like a miracle! I told McKay 3 times when I put him to bed what the deal was "If you stay in bed I will leave the door open but if you get up, I will have to close the door." He apparently understood because he didn't get out of bed once! Since this time (about 3 weeks ago) he has been going to bed like a champ. Sometimes he comes out and stands in the hallway until I come get him and shut the door. Seems like, some nights he wants the door closed to help him calm down. It's been awesome.

The Greatest Thing

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return" -Moulin Rouge

In rebuttal to my last whiney post about how crazy my life is, may I just add I am blessed beyond measure. Lately I have been listening to some awesome inspirational messages from the last LDS General Conference talks and they just remind me of how many things I have to be grateful for. My kids may be crazy at times and more than we sometimes think we can handle but when I look in to those eyes and momentarily see a part of their souls, there is no doubt in my mind they came from Heaven. That's all.

I guess my bum is already numb from working on the computer too long (editing photos from recent photo shoots, so productive!) so what the heck, might as well fit in a quick blog post. I don't know if I mentioned this before but I have twin boys that are 2. Let me say that again, I have 2 wild high energy boys that are 2! I am not sure if my life can reach any greater level of insanity really. A few weeks ago Brody got in the dryer and McKay turned the dryer on. Sean rescued him after he had spun twice. He heard the dryer turn on, Brody scream blood murder and then two consecutive "thuds". He has not climbed in the dryer since. McKay recently decided he is not going to sleep any more. I don't mean he is arguing nap time, he is fighting all sleep tooth and nail. In the last two weeks it has taken us about 3 hours to get him down at night. He is jumping, laughing, climbing out of his crib or throwing a fit. Tonight we moved Brody in to his sister's room temporarily, kid proofed McKay's room, set up a toddler bed and gated him off. Of course, I went in every 5 minutes and offered to open the door if he is willing to stay in his bed. After 2 hours of this, he finally agreed and stayed in his bed. We are hoping this sudden toddler sleep training won't last too long, heaven knows we need sleep and sanity. We told the pediatrician we will end up joining the circus soon if we can't get things under control. McKay loves the street and we're lucky he hasn't been hit. Brody is a climber and we are lucky he hasn't fallen and been seriously injured. When they turn 3 we are having a "twins stayed alive" party. I mean seriously, the thought that we are entrusted with that type of responsibility. Keeps us praying. My house is a complete disaster. Every day Sean and I both clean yet it still constantly looks like a tornado has hit. I would like the FlyLady to visit MY house, I don't think she was a full time working graveyard shifts mom of twin toddlers and a school aged child while putting her husband through school, if she was, her SINK would not have reflections in it!!!

Despite the complete chaos, we are actually enjoying life as much as we can. Fall has brought fun outside with sweaters and hot cocoa. Kayla is loving first grade and our schedules have been working out. Wish us luck on the sleep training but other than that I think we are going to make it.