Growing Up

It's another one of those bittersweet moments. Caleb officially outgrew his crib last week. I went into his room to get him up from nap one day and found that his crib was full of toys that were not within reach from his bed. Hmmm. As if he knew what I was thinking, Caleb grinned and demonstrated exactly how those toys got there. He scurried up the side of the crib, out and back in. That afternoon we put the crib in the attic. Sniff. Sniff. My baby is growing up. I sure wish he would slow down a little bit.

He actually cried when we moved the crib out, but soon got over it when we made a big deal about his "big boy" bed. I have been through this training thing a time or two, so I knew it promised to be a long night. I did have to put him back to bed and spank him a few times, but the first night was a success! However, the next day for nap was a completely different story. Two hours and many spankings later, he finally fell asleep for a short nap. Sigh. Since then, he has actually adjusted to the freedom quite well, better than I expected to be honest. 

Milestones are tricky. As a Mom I am happy when my children grow and develop as they should, but deep down inside I am a little bit sad knowing that we are moving into the next chapter and this one has ended. Julia said to me today, "Mommy do you cry sometimes when we grow up too fast?" Yes, my love, I do!

Two months old, he looks up at you
How his smile melts your heart
You want to say, "Stop, time"
Don't move on
Even as you watch that look is gone
Then he's two, such a little man
So alive and so smart
Again you say, "Stop, time"
Stay just this way
But the future comes and he can't stay
Nobody warns you of this parent's paradox
You want your kid to change and grow
But when he does, another child you've just begun to know
Leaves forever
Birthdays fly - 7, 8, 9, 10
Every kid he becomes you clutch and say "Stop, time"
Hold this one fast
But it's not supposed to last
And that time has come and passed
For he's growing
And he has to go

 (Partial lyrics from Stop, Time)