The Bean Gets a Big Girl Bed

At the end of May, my in-laws came to visit for a few days. The main reason for the visit was Joe's foot procedure (more on that later, I promise), but they also brought a big-girl bed for Charlotte.

Pop & Charlotte - a SnapChat pic. ;-)

Bossi & Millie

As I'm sure anyone would be, I was a little bit concerned about how she would do with the new bed. We had turned her crib into a toddler bed just a few weeks before, so I had hoped she would do fine with a bigger bed, but you really just never know. When we got her ready for bed, she seemed pretty excited about her big-girl bed, and requested that Joe and I leave the room without reading to her. To say we were surprised would be an understatement! We just laughed, tucked her in, said good-night, and crossed our fingers.

Our first little girl is quite the trooper, and I really should have learned by now that not much phases her when it comes to sleep. We did hear her playing in bed well after bedtime, but that's not unusual. The next morning we woke to find her as happy as always and waiting for someone to come get her! *sigh* Perfection. I am sure there will come a day when she is either big or brave enough to get out of bed, start playing, and/or knock on her door begging for us to let her out. But until then? I'm going to enjoy every minute of this! 

Once we got her new bed, I decided it was finally time to put some decorations up in her room. We moved in a year ago and I didn't hang anything but a shelf on her wall until a couple weeks ago. Seriously. {Never underestimate the level of tired you feel while pregnant and chasing a toddler. I never had energy!} 

It took a while, but I finally decided to a gallery-style wall in her room. I had really wanted to put her bed in the center of the wall, but it really kind of looked weird. So this is what we ended up with:

I think my favorite part of the gallery wall is the canvas of her 6 month photo that I received from Easy Canvas Prints. First, because it's such a great picture of her. Second, because it's a beautiful reminder of where we lived for a short time, and where she was born. I hope she will love it as much as I do! 

The poms hanging in the corners are from her baby shower. Maybe it's weird, but I just can't seem to part with them! And it turns out that, even though they don't 100% match the color scheme in her room, they fit perfectly.

She loves her big-girl bed!

The rest of her room could use a little organization (and possibly some phrases in vinyl above her little kitchen and bookshelf), but I'm not sure what else to do with it all right now. It'll probably be easier to figure things out when we don't need a changing table in her room anymore. We're working on that.

Honestly, I still can't believe that she's 2. I mean...when did that happen? How is she old enough to not be in a crib?! On the other hand, though, I am totally in love with the way her room looks now. And other than the occasional tantrum, I enjoy her sweet little personality that seems to grow and emerge more every day.

I love you, Bean!

*Psst! Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Still plenty of time to enter, and a good chance of winning!

So Fast

I'm not sure why, but I've been very very nostalgic lately. Maybe it's because I've suddenly realized that these babies of mine are sprouting up like little weeds and there's nothing I can do about it. Or maybe it's because my 10 year high school reunion was last weekend (I didn't attend), and I'm just....feeling it. It's probably a combination of the two. 

Today my in-laws are on their way for a visit. Along with them, they're bringing a big girl bed for Charlotte. While I'm super excited to fix up her room and to see her in this new stage, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit sad about it. Because somewhere in the back of my mommy brain, this is the picture I still see:

My Bean in her bed for the very first time - the day we brought her home from the hospital. Gosh, she was so tiny! Compared to other kids her age she is tiny, but she is definitely earning her big girl status every single day. 

This one was taken last year, while we were still doing the hotel living thing after we PCSed. The girl is a crazy sleeper! A little less so now that she's bigger, but I've always found her in the strangest of positions. {The same can be said about Millie, haha!}

This one was taken just a few months ago. It's rare that I have to wake her up anymore, but it does still happen in the afternoons sometimes. Yet again with Bunny over her face. I guess she felt her room still wasn't dark enough? LOL! 

This is the one that gets me; it tells me she's not a baby anymore and it hurts my mama heart!! In preparation for her big girl bed, we bought a rail for her crib a few weeks ago. I wondered how she would handle the transition. I prepared myself for the worst - climbing out of bed, not sleeping, etc. But I have to brag on this girl - we haven't had any problems. She stays in bed and waits for us to come get her in the morning and after naps, just like before. I'm hoping this stays the same once we change her bed!

A friend of mine called me last week to tell me her little girl (who is about 8 months younger than Charlotte) had climbed out of her crib. I felt so bad (well, kind of) that I didn't have any advice to give! We've been really blessed with this kiddo - she's never given us problems regarding her crib or sleep. She'll sleep in a pack n play when we travel, in the car, goes to bed when we put her down - you name it. It really surprises me that she does so well with change, but I guess you have to be adaptable when you're a military kid. ;-)

Some days I really can't believe that the last 2 years have gone by so quickly. I guess it's true what they say - the days are long, but the years are short.