More Firsts for Simon

As I am planning to go back to work on June 7, we have been trying to prepare Simon for daycare and the changes that will come with our new schedule. Up until now, he has always been with either me or Mark all the time. We haven't left him with anyone else. But we wanted him to know that even when we both leave, we will return. So we called on our friend and uber-experienced babysitter Ashley to stay with Simon for about an hour this evening. He did GREAT! We said good-bye to him and he didn't even fuss. He was already snuggled up with Ashley to read a book. They got along great and had a fun time. We were so pleased! And he was excited to see us when we returned, which is good. It feels like we have built a healthy attachment and that he trusts us. I hope this is true! It really feels that way. He will be going to day care just half days for the first week and we're going to visit there next week. Here's a photo of Simon and Ashley reading his favorite book.


While Ashley was watching Simon, we went and bought him a toddler bed. He has been sleeping with us since our time in Ethiopia. Simon had some night terrors there and for the most part, they have subsided. However, he is a noisy, active sleeper! Mark and I haven't slept well since Simon has been with us. He talks in his sleep, flails his arms and legs, and moves around quite a bit. He's even been known to giggle in his sleep! While it's cute at times, it's not very restful for us. We didn't intend to have Simon sleep with us but it seemed to be what he needed to help with his transition. Instead of putting him in the crib in his room, we are going to start with the toddler bed in our room and then move the bed to his room. He had been accustomed to sleeping in a toddler bed so we're hoping that this will help. The few times we've had him nap in his crib, he hasn't liked it at all. We're hoping that the toddler bed will feel more familiar to him. He sure had fun investigating it after Mark put it together!

Wish us luck! We're hoping for more restful nights that don't include feet in our faces!