Big Boy Bed

Aiden has reached another milestone...sigh.  

Over the weekend, Shaun took the crib down.  THE crib... that one that has steadfastly held my three children while they have slept over these past five years.  The crib that has scratches and teeth marks, dings and dents.  It was new 30 years ago, used by my two brother-in-laws, followed by many foster children and has been well used since.

I have to be honest and say that its been a little heart breaking that he is big enough to be on to new and better things.

Why did you move a 19 month-old to bed...its so soon, you might say.  Well, we moved Avery to a bed at that age because Amanda had graduated from the cradle next to my bed and we needed a place to put her.  We moved Amanda at that age as well because she had learned to climb out of the crib and I thought it'd be safer for her to climb out of a bed.  With both girls, there was never a fight, never a question.  We put them to bed for night or naps and they stayed there, from the beginning.  It went so smoothly, that I decided to move Aiden at the same age.  You know....if it ain't broke....

Sure enough, he settled right in and has not questioned it.  In fact, he is quite pleased with himself that he is in a big boy bed.  He says "big boy bed" but all that is clear is "bed".

The first morning he woke, we heard him knocking at the door.  He was holding the monitor calling Momma and Daddy alternately.

His room also serves as our guest room, so he gets a double bed.  Such a little guy in a big bed.

Its been hard to let go of one of the last real baby things.   The blow has been softened however by the time we have spent snuggling in his new bed.  I am able to sit with him and read stories or lay down and hug him for a few minutes and I definitely was NOT able to do that in the crib.

These are bad pictures but they go with a funny story.  The girls have always asked if they can go get Aiden when they hear him talking or singing in the monitor.  They used to go sit with him and read books or jump.  Then one day, all three of came down, much to my surprise.  The girls had somehow gotten him out and I hadn't heard a thing.  They did it the next day and the next day.  Once, I went in to video tape it because I couldn't imagine how they were doing it but I had to stop midway...I just couldn't watch.

Much later I did manage to capture some of it.  Still not sure how it all worked, but they did it consistently and I never once heard Aiden cry or grunt or anything.

My heart swells with love and memories when I see this face.  Don't grow so fast, Roo!

 Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Mark 13:35-37