Your Crib Or Mine?

Three months shy of their Fourth birthday, my girls were still sleeping their nights away in the same beds that they slept in the night we brought them home from the hospital. We've had more than a few people raise a curious eyebrow at Jon and myself when we tell folks that the girls are still in cribs at nearly 4 years old. Looking back however, I realized that we made this move with William nearly one year ago. Then of course moved the boys to their own bed shortly after. We didn't rush it with the boys, and we didn't rush it with the girls... I think this kind of goes along with so many other things that we've done with our kids. The idea of not rushing things, taking each day as it comes, not letting what everyone else is doing dictate what may or may not be best for OUR kids. 

Noelle & Lilley have been happy in their cribs, but at the same time have been more aware of what the boys have been sleeping in. We've taken notice of them being able to sleep in a big bed while on vacation or at a Grandparents home. Jon and I no longer felt that they "needed" to be in their cribs... This past weekend Jon's parents took the boys to their house for the night for a sleepover. This ended up being a perfect night for a sleepover in the boys bedroom. The girls picked out special pajamas and camped out in the boys beds. They loved having their freedom, and the ability to get up when they wanted to... We gave them some rules to follow and decided that if they followed the rules we would go ahead and break down their cribs. Along came Saturday morning, and we had two very well rested, very happy little girls. They ended up even napping in there later on in the day...

Sunday afternoon after church, Jon and I slowly took apart those last two cribs... I stood there sort of supervising, sort of reminiscing, sort of weeping. I really couldn't believe it was over. I couldn't believe that my babies were growing up. I believed it more however, when Jon and I pushed the two toddler beds into their room. After I primped and fluffed. After I felt like everything was in order we had them come up... It was kind of like I was having a surprise party for them. Here I was sitting behind the door, poised with my camera. There they were, ready to pounce.

The looks on their faces were amazing... This is what makes waiting worth it. If we had changed their rooms over when they were two years old, they really wouldn't have been able to appreciate this... And let me tell you, they appreciate it, and they love it...

Comments

[Alyssa]

Maybe you could explain more about the health conditions of each of your children. I don't really understand? ~

[Kristi]

What a sweet post! I love the look on their faces. ^_^ Rowan is 3 and still in a crib. We bought a new bed for her and Kadence, but she will not sleep in it! She feels safe in her crib, and so we will not take it down until she is ready. We just do whatever works for OUR family. Like you said, who cares what everyone else is doing. :)