Adieu to the baby years

I felt a bit sad as I saw the crib loaded into a car and drive away. But it was time. Alex has inexplicably woken up potty trained after no struggle at all and along with it came a desire to be OUT, OUT of her toddler bed (crib without side). So we took Jack's top bunk off and moved it into her room, both parties seemed satisfied with the new arrangement.

But the crib just sat in our dinging room, unassembled, leaning up against the wall. Until a week later when it dawned on us that was all we needed from the crib. Our kids were both done with it. And we were done having kids. So up went ads on Craigslist for the crib, diaper genies, leftover diapers, wipewarmer, etc. And the crib, the beautiful crib that I agonized over when choosing it before Jack was born, was the first to be snapped up. While I'm so happy to see it go to a nice couple who is expecting their first child, it makes me remember all the memories from that crib like an old friend. An old friend who I trusted with my children, and who guarded them safely through each night when they were at their most vulnerable.

New-born Jack in the crib

Jack and his favorite mobile

Need we say more?

Jack learning to escape from the toddler bed phase

John cramped into the toddler bed with Jack, reading by headlamp

Alex moves into the crib

Alex with her favorite blankie waking from a nap

Thanks, old friend.