The big recent development this last week was Meredith's graduation out of her crib. One night Meredith really didn't want to go to bed. As many times before she lifted her foot up as if to straddle over the crib railing. But for the first time ever she got her heal over the edge (she is tall, flexible, strong, and iron-willed). Since this was a dangerous situation (it's a far way down), it was decided that Meredith was now too big for the crib, and like it or not, it was time to switch to a "big girl's bed." The transition basically involved the following: (1)Taking apart the crib and removing it from the room; (2) Putting the crib mattress on the floor; (3) Further 'baby-proofing' the room--i.e. making sure there was nothing that would easily distract a girl trying not to go to bed; (4) Talking about how wonderfully exciting it is that she now has a big girl bed because she's a big girl and her parents are so proud that she's a big girl and that big girls sleep in big girls' beds and it is very important to stay in the big girl bed because that's what big girls do and if she goes night-night in her big girl bed her parents will be so proud because that means she's a big girl; (5) Putting her to bed in the big girl bed and seeing what happens.
The end result was a couple of frustrating, over-tired nights. But pretty soon, Meredith had transitioned to the change very well. This is good timing because Meredith was going to be sleeping in big girls' beds anyways at both sets of her grandparents' houses in the following weeks.
And speaking of which, just two weeks after a three-day weekend with one side of the family, the Reises had a fun time with the Burrows side on the weekend of July 30th. On Friday, the family packed up the CRV and started on the road at about 10:00 a.m. The expectation was that Meredith would sleep the second half of the trip. But she slept less than an hour total in the 6 hour journey. The highlight of the car ride was a stop at a park in Wausau, Wisconsin. There was a little bridge over a little creek, to which Meredith exclaimed "Baby Water! Baby Water!"
The three of us arrived in Green Bay safe and sound, and with enough time explore and admire all the flowers and interesting plants at Grandma and Grandpa Burrows' house. The next morning we got up early enough to get to the downtown farmer's market, where Meredith insisted on pushing her own stroller.
Saturday afternoon, Meredith's cousins Zach, Natalya, and Kayla came over with Aunt Sonja. The true fun then began for Meredith. She went swimming in the pool and capped off the evening with a stroll by the Bay, where we got to see a couple of young deer up close. Meredith is clearly comfortable with her grandparents. Many times she all but ignored her parents and sought out to goof off with Grandma and Grandpa. (They are more fun after all.) She also chased after their cats--who, incidentally are smarter than Meredith's cat, Maggie, in that they run away when they see Meredith running at them screaming "Kitty! Kitty! Kitty!"
The stay was much too short and we had to leave Sunday morning. The trip had a nice break with a lunch stop at Mandy's new house in Wausau. Meredith got to play with Ruby, who is a year and a half older than Meredith. After a great summer lunch, a mini-adventure was had at the park across the street.
-DBR
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Hangin out with Grandpa Dave on a summer evening |
The cool gang: Kayla, Natalya, Zach |
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Goning for a walk down by the Bay |
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Meredith likes throwing things into the water |
A fun ride with Ruby |
