Big Boy Bed

Sullivan is now in a big boy bed.  I remember when he was just an infant and I told Brian, 'Can you believe that someday he will wake up from a nap and be able to walk down the stairs by himself and say 'hi Daddy'?"  We both smiled at the image and thought that day was miles away.  And just like that, he can.  Such is true for all aspects of their little lives.  Every veteran parent warns you that the speed of life is faster than you can imagine, and it seems to be a universal truth.  Even when days seem extra long, as you sit up with colicky babies, desperately trying to lull them back to sleep, you blink and they are ten and a half months old and you are starting to plan their first birthday party.  It is overwhelming and scary but it is also an incredibly important reminder to cherish every moment, ever laugh, every breakfast and nap time, every walk, run, inside jokes (calling a jaguar a tiger), every struggle and triumph.  
He has been in his bed for a couple of weeks and he is loving it.  In true Sullivan style, he has only gotten out of bed once without permission.  It was during a nap, and in his defense it was to get some books since I only laid him down with one.  Unfortunately he did fall off twice while acclimating to his new surroundings.  Now that the bed is against the wall and we have safety railings (thank you Grandma Honey!) he is very grateful and proud of his new accommodations.
We all have our bedtime rituals and Sullivan's has always included reading.  Even when he has played extra long and is extra tired, he still tries to stay awake long enough to get a few pages in.  Sometimes he just isn't able to keep his eyes open.  Auntie Max and Uncle Scott got him Skippy Jon Jones for his birthday and it quickly became a favorite. 

 Even if we skip all the other steps in his nighttime ritual, it always always includes three binkies.