I’ve heard it said that every time a door is closed, another is opened. In other words, when one experience or opportunity ends, another begins. I was reminded of that in a beautiful way today.
This past weekend we upgraded our sweet girl to a big girl bed. We didn’t make the decision; rather, she did, with her obvious distaste for her crib after sleeping in a bed so often while I was recovering from my surgery. We finally figured out what she was trying to tell us with her sudden bedtime temper tantrums and brought out the twin mattresses as a temporary solution. My husband disassembled her crib while I was at church meetings yesterday afternoon. I’m really glad I wasn’t here for that.
I remember all too well when we put it up. I was hugely pregnant, sitting in her glider chair in her still-empty room, still only anticipating who this little person would be. I watched him put it together, nervous and giddy with excitement. And now….there is only an accumulation of toys where the bed once was, and a big girl sleeping a few feet from where the tiny baby once slept.
I won’t lie. I cried last night when I put her to bed. We were sitting in that same glider chair, saying her prayers and singing our bedtime songs when she asked for “nigh-night.” I carried her to her bed, where she waved, said, “bye-bye, Mama,” and went to sleep. All by herself. I came downstairs and cried on Scott’s shoulder. I was overwhelmed with pride for my little girl….but my heart ached for the baby who is obviously not here anymore.
Today, though, another door opened in place of the one that just closed. She had a hard time getting to sleep for her nap today, so I went upstairs to see if I could help her relax. I laid down with her and sang her a little song, rocking back and forth gently…and there, with her head on my shoulder and her hand in mine, she fell asleep. I don’t think I have to tell you that we couldn’t do that when she was sleeping in a crib. It was something new and sweet that I can do now, that I couldn’t do before.
So, yes….I miss the days when I had a little, helpless baby, but something in me is excited for the new things that are to come.
3 of your thoughts:
Sweet Post!! Watching them grow is soo hard!!
Wow, that almost made me start crying and I'm at school so it wouldn't be a good idea!
I wonder how long Noelle will need the crib. My parents usually kept us in the crib til the next baby came, so until about 2 years of age. Noelle, though, is such a little willful diva, so she might need the confinement longer.
I don't blame her, who would want to sleep behind bars after experiencing a big girl bed.
And boy do those mattresses fit perfectly in that corner!!!! I love the picture :)
(And I probably would have cried a little too ;) )
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