It was the day my baby turned into a big boy.
I remember sitting in the nursery before Jaxon arrived, just staring at his crib. We spent months upon months before his arrival getting his room put together and imagined the first time we'd lay him in his crib. I'll never forget how itty-bitty he looked as we laid him down, just hours after getting home from the hospital. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the first time he was in his crib, although I know we do have it on video.
{march 2009}
{august 2009, in his old room...sniff sniff}
{october 2009 - 8 months old}
I love this crib. We got it for a steal on Craigslist. I love the design, the color, and most of all... the sentimental meaning behind it. It's where my baby sleeps at night. Where he's safe each night. Where he sleeps and dreams.
Until now.
My parents came for Thanksgiving and brought with them a big boy bed, given to them by my Grandma Nancy. {thanks again!} The day after they left, Tyler and I spent a few hours in the boys room re-arranging the furniture trying to figure out how to fit an extra bed AND dresser in there. After we figured it out, Tyler asked me when we were going to let Jaxon sleep in his big boy bed. "When I'm ready" was my response. "You mean, when Jax is ready?" - "No... When I'm ready."
I don't know why I was dreading this moment so much, but I was. There is a huge emotional attachment to the crib, and there was no way my baby was ready for that change.
That same night after our usual bedtime routine, Jaxon crawled up onto his new bed. Then he laid down. So we went for it, with tears in my eyes. I grabbed his blankies out of his crib, gave him a binky, and we said goodnight.
Tyler and I thought for sure it wouldn't happen. The moment we left the room, he'd get out of bed and play with toys. Or cry. And we'd give up -- into the crib he would go.
We left the room and didn't hear a peep. I even got out my stalker video monitor and watched as he laid there. Rolled from side to side. Adjusted his blankie. Then... not a twitch from him.
Tyler went in about an hour later to grab some diapers for Cohen. When he came back out, he showed me this picture:
I mean, really? Was it really that easy for him to just ditch his bed, the only bed he had known for 21 months? Was it really possible that, just like that, our baby had turned into a big boy?
Yep. It's possible.
He's so proud of his new bed too. He loves to climb up there by himself, lay down, and simply state "na-night! na-night!" Hit the road Mom, I don't need you anymore.
Anyone who has been through this before can surely understand the feelings we had that night. It was such a bitter-sweet moment.
Thank the Lord we have another baby that will sleep in the crib. Because right now, I'm no where near being ready to get rid of it. Honestly, I wonder if I ever will. Surely we can find another use for it after Cohen outgrows it ... new love seat? A flower bed for the yard? ;)
Okay, Megan... it's time to let go. Let your boy grow up, just like he's supposed to. Just don't blink, because you'll miss it. Time really does fly by that fast.
