Big Girl Bed, Big Girl Bedroom

Okay, so you know my theory on big transitions for Molly. Wait until she asks for the change, then wait until she begs (a lot) for the change, and then make her wait for another 6 months before said change is allowed. Well, once again, it worked! Molly's transition to the big girl bed was seamless. She left the crib and went right to the bed. She never lost a wink of sleep, never cried or even stressed about it.

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My big worry about leaving the crib behind is that Molly is no longer confined. She is free to roam around her room or the house at will. So, we had a talk about big girl bed behavior and she knows that she can't get up to play with toys or leave the room. She needs to stay in bed until I come and get her. And the amazing thing is that she is actually is buying that, for now.

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Each morning I hear, "Mommy, come get me, please." It is so dang cute that I often wait and make her say it a couple of times before I go in, just so I can hear it again. It just makes me smile.

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Here's what we did for the transformation: On her birthday, Molly napped in our bedroom. This gave Tony and me free access into to her room. We disassembled the crib and changing table, rearranged some furniture, and added a few new pieces. Of course we got all new bedding, as well. We changed the nursery into the big girl room inside an hour. As Molly's last birthday gift, we showed her the new room and she was ecstatic.

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I know this room will never get 5 stars on HGTV's Rate My Space, but here are a few pictures of our handy work:

The big girl bed with bala-neena (ballerina in Mollyspeake) quilt.

Bedding close up.

My childhood rocker, loving restored by my parents.
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Cubbies that Tony built prior to Molly's arrival.l

New bookcase and chairs next to the nightstand. For you Dr. Seuss fans out there, we had to check the bookcase to ensure there was no Nook Gase.
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The dollhouse moved from the living room to Molly's room. Hurray! I love the dollhouse but it doesn't really go with the living room furniture.
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And I couldn't let a post go by without some gratuitous cute shots of the three year old Miss Molly enjoying her new room.

The classic cross-your-leg-pose, which Molly whips out every time I take a picture.
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Perusing her private library.
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Time for a little yoga: the tabletop pose.
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And some gymnastics for good measure. Reach up high....
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Touch the sky....
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Reach down, touch the ground . . .
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Tuck your head a rooooooooll!

You think that is good, you should see her jump off her big girl bed--she flies! I guess I should probably stop her, but darn it, it looks like so much fun.

Molly's 3rd Birthday: A Photo Essay

I have lots and lots of pictures that tell the story of Molly's 3rd birthday from start to finish. Instead of boring you with details, I'll let the pictures do the talking. And when I said photo essay in the title...well, it's actually more like a novel. A Tolstoy novel. Or a Kevin Kosner movie. Waaaay longer than it needs to be!

Going to bed a 2 year old (a baby).

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Waking up a 3 year old (a big girl)!
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A pre-breakfast sucker? Mom would never allow this. Is it a special day?

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Chocolate yogurt and coffee cake for breakfast...it is a special day! Either that, or my mom has completely lost it.

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Yep, I'm three. I can even hold up three fingers on each hand simultaneously. Try doing that, all of you two-year-olds out there.

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I wonder in I could talk Dad into taking me out for a bike ride, even though it's freezing. I'll just flash him the cute face. He won't be able to say no.

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See, told you he couldn't say no!

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A die hard cyclist, just like Mommy!

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Back inside to check out the Pottery Barn Kids catalogue. I wonder if some I got something in here for my new big girl room.

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Eating lunch: grilled cheese, broccoli and cantaloupe. I see Mom has returned to her senses...darn.

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Yep, I'm still 3.

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Taking a nap before the evening festivities. Why am I sleeping in the Pack n' Play in Mom and Dad's room?

p Mom and Dad decorated the house in Hello Kitty while I slept.

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Awake from my nap and ready to party.
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A pie-nano recital with cousin Matthew.

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Birthday dinner: Chinese food, just as I requested.

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Some of my party guests: Uncle Jack, Grandmom and Allison.

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More party guests: Daddy, Matthew and Aunt Karen.

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And of course Mommy with me, the birthday girl.

pHaving see-food with Mom and Dad...pretty.

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All of this for little ol' me?

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Clothes from Mom and Dad.

pA music box and doctor's play outfit from Grandmom.

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Lots and lots of baby accessories from Aunt Karen, Allison and Matthew.

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Alphabet puzzles from Mom and Dad.

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Random cute shot of me opening a present.

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Cash register from Aunt Michelle, Uncle Jeff, Stephie, Chase and Ryan.

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Shoes that light up when I walk. Yea, more loot from Mom and Dad. Do you think they like me?

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Floor puzzle from Uncle Jack.

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Camera from Mom and Dad. Watch out Mom, it's time for a payback. Now I am going to take your picture a million times a day.

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A new baby doll from Grandma and Grandpa.

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What, there's more? Cool! Mom and Dad transformed my nursery into a big girl room while I was napping. So that's why I was in their bedroom today. Sneaky!

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I love my new big girl bed with the bala-nina's on it.

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I can't wait until bedtime!

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Hello Kitty Cake.

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Another family shot.

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Singing Happy Birthday to ME.

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Making a wish and blowing out my candles. I wish that Mom would let me eat suckers every morning before breakfast.

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The princess.

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Yum, chocolate!

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Going to sleep in my big girl bed for the first time.

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Wish me luck..nighty-night.

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Wake up Molly, you slept through the entire night in your new bed!

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Good morning stretch. What's the big deal. It was easy.