Yesterday the last piece of “baby” left our house. For over eight years we’ve been surrounded by bottles, bouncy seats, bibs, and baby food. These things have slowly exited our life, often with a lot of relief, but the crib has remained. Brewer is almost 3 1/2, which is a little old to still be in a crib, but this is the first time I haven’t rushed one kid out of a crib because another was on the way.
I’ll be honest, as I removed screws and slowly took the crib apart I fought tears. As much as I love the freedom my new season of life has I already miss the life that revolves around a baby/toddler. Don’t get me wrong, I realize my kids still need me… but their level of need and type of need is changing.
I was struck with the coincidence of this season of motherhood changing as fall enters Tennessee. I love the vibrancy of summer, but often crave the comfort that comes with fall. Maybe that’s why “taking a crib down” was so hard on me. There’s comfort in what the last 8 years of my life has looked like and even though I know I’m going to enjoy the next season just as much… I’ll never re-enter the season I’m leaving.
So as one season of mothering fades, another begins… and how could I not be excited about a new season, I mean check out that smile.
How sweet! Brewer does have the cutest smile!! That kid is a doll!
My sister took my niece Ava out of a crib at 18 months and Ava was so excited about her big girl bed. She would straighten the covers and put all of her stuff animals and babies in a row… so cute – but so hard to believe she was a big girl! (She’s 2 now) They grow way too fast!
By: Brittany on October 9, 2009
at 10:59 am
That smile makes me think he’s a whirling dervish as soon as he hops out of bed
I saw a photo of Bix the other day online and he’s so big you can’t even say you have a little puppy to mother anymore … but it seems that you, like my friend Susie, were made to be a mom of boys. They clearly adore you.
By: gitz on October 9, 2009
at 11:20 am
I’m right in that season too. My youngest is 2 1/2 and we’re down to diapers, sippy cups, and some lingering baby toys. Yesterday my husband even talked about going for “his surgery”. I know that it’s time for the season for babies to be over, and I know that I’m going to enjoy each season that comes, but boy… am I ever going to miss those babies!
By: Jenny on October 9, 2009
at 11:38 am
So nice…..BUUUUUUUUUUUT, ya never really know if you’ll enter that season again…God directed my husband and I to foster/adopt. Our children birthed by me are 24, 21, & soon to be 16…the children that were born in our hearts and placed in our home….4 years old and soon to be 17 months! 4 boys, and a tiny little girl! I am reliving a part of my past with happiness, and desires to hear…”well done my good and failthful servant”.
Happy Day!
Dawn
By: Dawn on October 9, 2009
at 11:42 am
Herein is the reason that I’m pregnant with number 3 – I’m not ready to say good bye to that season of life! I know I’ll be in for a shock come spring with a newborn, but, oh, how I look forward to all (well, most) of the stages that accompany it. To be sure, I love the stages that my 7.5 and 4.5 year old are in, but I so crave the snuggling of a newborn, the giggle of a six month old, and the toddling of a 1 year old (however, I’m not looking forward to the middle of the night feedings and loads of dirty diapers!). It will be a sad day when I face the reality of taking the crib down for the last time!
I feel for you, but am excited for you as well! We miss you and your family and I can hardly believe that Brewer is already 3.5!!! Good luck keeping him in bed as I’m sure he has some crazy Brewer tricks up his sleeve with his new found freedom!
By: holly on October 9, 2009
at 12:01 pm
WOW…Way to go! It’s so hard to do the big steps like cribs. I so feel your pain. You know it’s bad when you children know when they received certain things based on pictures that have pacies or bottles or siblings in sleepers….
He looks so happy in his new bed! Don’t forget that now there is room for you to snuggle in there!!
Enjoy!
~Kate
By: Katy on October 9, 2009
at 1:50 pm
Mine are in college and I find every season is bittersweet. I love having young adult ‘children’…loved my teenagers…and the in betweens and the toddlers and the babies (especially the babies!)…it’s all wonderful mixed with ‘where did the time go’?
Fortunately there is joy in every season. Except maybe 7th grade. I don’t recall alot of joy in that one : )
By: joyce on October 9, 2009
at 2:13 pm
I can so relate to what you’re going through. My daughter, Hannah, is almost 2 1/2, and I’m not rushing her out of the crib. I miss her needing as much as she used to, but at the same time, I find myself thinking, “This is the BEST age,” with every new milestone.
I just love being a mom!
By: Jennifer on October 9, 2009
at 2:36 pm
Wow… I too understand what you are going through. This year my youngest child started Kindergarten and my oldest started his senior year in high school. And let’s not forget the middle one is in 6th grade this year.
Enjoy all the seasons. Isn’t it fun to be a mom!
Many blessings! Jen from Cali.
P.S. Brewer looks so happy! And I love the quilt, where is it from??
By: Jen on October 9, 2009
at 2:53 pm
Wow, right there with you Brandi. I can’t believe the girls are ages 8, 6, 4. It goes by crazy, fun fast and each stage seems to go quicker- not sure why?!
Trying to enjoy every stage and so thankful for my time home with them. I wouldn’t change that for anything.
Marching forward to this next season of motherhood with you!
By: Kara Prater on October 9, 2009
at 4:07 pm
The changing of those seasons of motherhood sure are bittersweet, aren’t they? My ‘baby’ just got her drivers license this week…it is so exciting and fun, but I sure miss some of the other seasons.
By: Jamie @ Six Bricks High on October 9, 2009
at 8:55 pm
OMG that is almost going to make me cry. I love watching them grow up. Cant wait to see it!
By: Jessica on October 9, 2009
at 9:04 pm
Right in that season with you, friend. Nina (she’ll be 4 in January) and I will be playing a game, and I’ll just stare at her, then reach over and touch her toes or her face. I’m ready for this new stage, but oh, I’m going to miss those little baby body parts!
By: Marla Taviano on October 10, 2009
at 8:42 am
Cute picture! I’m glad to hear that Brewer stayed in his crib for that long because I’m terrified of moving Bruiser to a toddler bed- I like him CONTAINED. So another year sounds just fine to me!
By: Lindsay on October 10, 2009
at 10:16 pm
Everytime I got rid of all my baby stuff I got pregnant again. It’s not just coincidence. It happened THREE TIMES.
Adam’s considering making this one sleep in the cot until it leaves home.
By: Jen on October 11, 2009
at 12:07 am
Your boys are wonderful! I get to have Jett in class and then round them all up after to take down to the play room. Today they were telling me how Brewer is the trouble maker, but Gage is trouble. I was laughing so hard. I recently interviewed my 90 yr old grandma to get things on tape and she kept saying her best memories were her girls as kids and then their wedding day. Years later you still remember and never forget! I hope you enjoy this next season! And please say a prayer for my grams- she was put in the ICU today with congestive heart failure.
By: Jessica on October 11, 2009
at 5:57 pm
Oh man, I have three kids close in age, but when the second one was 19 months old, she climbed out! So I had to put her in a big girl bed! And it was hard. Now she’s almost potty trained and I’m wondering if I won’t miss her diapers … just a little … hmm.
By: abbieknaub on October 12, 2009
at 5:16 pm
awww,
I know how you feel. I took my little one out of the crib in March and he was to be 4 in June. I have another bun in the oven and excited to revisit babyhood. Thank You LORD!!!
By: brandy on October 13, 2009
at 3:52 pm