After visiting three different furniture stores and doing a few half-hearted searches on our local Craigslist, we ended up buying a twin bed for Little Evan at IKEA. In hindsight I’m not sure why we even looked elsewhere. The bed I had pictured in my head was modern, minimalist and Scandinavian, while the traditional stores only carried heavy, tall wooden pieces. Our local salesman tried to persuade me not to buy a twin at all—arguing that Evan would eventually need a full-size bed, so why not purchase one now, along with a matching dresser and an expensive mattress? I explained that most college students I know sleep on twin beds, and our toddler still fits comfortably in his crib. He can even fit in the twin with me. Besides, I’d already bought adorable twin sheets and I hate returning things.
We bought this bed:
ODDA bedframe with drawers
I love that it’s low enough for him to climb in and out of himself and that it offers extra storage underneath. You can never have too many places to hide toys and stuffed animals. We bought the frame and the least expensive mattress they sell—my coin-operated theory being that between now and potty training it will likely get so messy we’ll end up replacing it anyway. E got the frame assembled using the IKEA instructions and now it’s all set up for Little Evan. Which, so far, hasn’t gone smoothly.
On Sunday night he lay on the bed but asked to sleep in the crib when lights-out came. By Monday’s nap he climbed right in, asked for his milk and a kiss, and said night-night. I tucked him in, made sure he had his many blankets and stuffed animals, and left the room.
I listened outside the door. All was quiet. I came downstairs and monitored him from the baby monitor. I could hear a little babbling and some rustling, then complete silence—and I did a little happy dance.
I texted E to boast about our big-boy-bed triumph and started dreaming about taking the crib apart for good. I planned curtain hems, bookcase moves, and a blog post about the newly redecorated toddler room.
Ten seconds later, a small voice called “Hi!” and Evan peeked around the kitchen corner.
My heart stopped. The same child who’d been sleeping soundly had quietly escaped his room, opened the child-proofed door, and descended the stairs without making a sound. The idea of him navigating the entire stair flight unsupervised was terrifying.
So: no permanent big-boy bed until we install a gate at the top of the stairs. If anyone has recommendations for door-handle covers that actually prevent toddlers from opening doors, I’m all ears.
Adorable bebehs in the adorable bed
Final room makeover plans are officially postponed until we can remove the crib for good. Hopefully we’ll manage it before June.
He asked to have Caroline lie in bed. I think he’d sleep with her all the time if I let him.
Another issue: an outlet and exposed cords near the bed that currently feel unsafe. No matter how many times I warn him, toddlers forget that outlets are dangerous. Unfortunately that outlet also controls the room light, so disconnecting it isn’t a practical option. I’m hoping to find a safer solution that doesn’t involve leaving his room in the dark.
“OK Mom! Go away! We’re good without you!”
Yeah kid, that’s what you think.