Big Boy Bed-and back history

Well, I put it off as long as possible...but even with the crib mattress dropped all the way to the floor Preston was able to crawl out of bed, so for safety reasons I've decided it's time to transition to the toddler bed. Luckily this crib changes to a toddler bed, so we don't have to get a new bed for now.

I have really bad memories our experience of this transition with Ethan, so that is why I have waited. 

With Brielle, it was no issue.  She was just over 2, and gradually transitioned because of our circumstances of moving and living with James' parents. We packed up the crib, she was in the pack n play, then started sleeping in 'cave bed' (a mattress under the trundle bed at Brad and Margaret's house), then when we got our own house she got a big bed to herself that Aunt Megan set up nicely and made all special for her.

When we transitioned Ethan at 2 he was still sleeping really well in a pack 'n play, but was passed the weight limit so I thought we better have him move to a bed before he broke through the bottom of the pack n' play.  It then took an entire year (which felt like an eternity!) before he would go to sleep at night without a struggle.  We tried using the pack n play as back up if he got out of bed, but we didn't realize he could climb out of it, so bedtime just became a game. Prior to the change he took amazing naps and slept great at night.  Afterwards he would only go to sleep easily at night if he hadn't napped (but was a monster during the day) or would pop out of bed over and over and try to climb the ladder to play with Brielle on the top bunk.  So, since that wasn't safe James or I would have to stay in the room with him until he fell asleep, which was usually at least an hour of our evening.

  On a positive note, Ethan is a fantastic sleeper now though.  He still falls asleep within minutes of getting to bed.  Brielle takes longer to fall asleep, but likes to sleep longer in the mornings.

The gate is set up at the door, and he is not in the same room as the bunk bed, so we're hoping for better success.  Send us good wishes (and any hints!) that the bed transition will go more smoothly and we'll all get some sleep around here. :)