Thursday, August 30, 2012

Quick like a bandaid

Yesterday morning I noticed the bumpers in Jamie's crib were all awry.
Obviously he had been up to something the night before.
He had already ripped one of the ties off awhile back, so I figured it was time to take them off before anymore damage was done.
They have to last at least one more baby after all.
So when I got home from work I untied all the ribbons and off it came.
Just like that.
The crib looked so empty and bare.
It was just one more sign my baby was no longer a baby.
Even the hubs commented when he got home that it looked weird.
So I casually mentioned {maybe} we should start thinking about turning it into a toddler bed.
Figuring he'd laugh at me and say "No way!  We're containing the beast as long as we can!!"
But that's not what he said.  He was all casual about it and like "How about right now?"
  And before I could even comprehend what was going on, this was happening.
I had a mini panic attack. 
OMG it's a Wednesday. 
We have to work tomorrow. 
What if this doesn't go well.
What if Jamie's not ready.
What if I AM not ready.
I haven't had time to stew and stress over this for weeks, preparing myself.
But we did it.  Ripped it off quick like a bandaid.
Jamie thought is "new" bed was the bees knees.
Jumping up and down.
Climbing in and out.
I just KNEW it was going to be a loooong, disaster of night.
But it wasn't.
When bedtime rolled around we followed the usual routine.
He ran into the nursery his big boy room, blankie trailing behind him, proclaiming he was tired.
So I sat in the rocking chair like I've done every.single.night for two years expecting to complete our bedtime ritual with some snuggles and goodnight songs, but he said "No mama, I tired.  I lay down."
And just like that he didn't need me anymore.
He climbed right up into bed an put his head down.
We played our night night songs and halfway through he kept saying "Goodnight" as if we were disturbing him.
So we all said our goodnights and shut the door.
He talked in his bed for a bit then I didn't hear a peep.
So I peaked in and there he was, sound asleep, where he staying until this morning.
No drama.  No crying.  No constant climbing out of bed.
I've said it before and I will say it again.
Sometimes I don't think we give our kids enough credit.
We anticipate the worst, when really it's US that have a harder time letting go.
Letting go of one of the few baby things left before fully resigning to the fact that I have a big boy.
Did I mention he also peed on the potty a few days ago?!
I can feel the lump in my throat and the tears in my eyes already.
Before I know it we'll be dropping him off at college.
 

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10 comments:

Lindsey said...

We went straight to a full bed with Connor.. mostly so I could lay with him and talk about his day before he went to sleep for the night ;)

JennOvey said...

I hate thinking about how fast they grow up! So happy that this transition was so easy for him though!

Melissa at Tall Blonde Blog said...

It was a smooth transition for us too. I think when they're ready, they're ready. I agree with you, we often don't give them enough credit. They are smart little cookies. Glad it went well for you!

Melissa said...

He was clearly ready for it, but I'm sure that was bittersweet!

I agree that with a lot of things, it's the parents how can't let go. We had Landon sleep in our room in a pack n play for the first 6 months of his life because we didn't want him "so far away" from us. Keep in mine we're in a small condo and his room was 2 doors down from ours. We could hear him cry from his room in our room with no monitor. He slept so much better when we finally moved him and we should have done it sooner!

Ashley said...

I feel the lump in my throat and tears coming. I think once you have a baby you can see yours doing the same things that other people are going through with theirs. I'm reading your words and seeing your pictures but have the vision on my head of us and our baby boy. He's almost 4 months! Yet, I can just see this.

I'm so happy that he took to his big boy bed so well! Snap, just like that. It was done and he did awesome. Yay!

Nikki said...

Oh my goodness. What a big boy. It is definitely bittersweet each time they make a change into being a little kid instead of a baby. At least he was polite saying goodnight. Harper just says "leave". No tact!

Unknown said...

I'm the opposite... I've been mentally and physically preparing for the big bed transition for over a month now LOL I have moved all of Emmy's "little things" up onto shelves and took out all her noisy toys, leaving only books and puzzles. She's showing no signs of trying to get out of her crib, but I want to make the transition before we move in May/June so it's one less thing to do then. So happy for your family that it went smoothly! :)

Perfectly Imperfect said...

I tend to make every transition into a HUGE deal and then BG is all "i've got this" and it's nothing. Every single time. Yet I'm doing it again about the big girl bed. These kids are so much smarter than we are ;)

dave and jenn said...

Awww, how sweet! I'm glad he handled the transition so easily. Jade's crib is already converted to a toddler bed since she sleeps in our room, and this morning I found Winston laying in it. :/

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Aw, yay! That's great that the transition went well!