Time Marches On

We recently decided that it would probably be a good idea to shift Bean's crib into the "toddler day bed" configuration, since her 4th birthday is fast approaching. We've left her in the crib longer than most kids probably are, basically because she isn't independently mobile, and it just didn't seem to be much of an issue. However, we're tossing around the idea of having another child, and for what it's worth, I just psychologically can't let my four year old sleep in a crib.

So I moved the mattress down, took off the side rail, struggled and cursed to put the mesh guard rail together and then discovered...it doesn't fit crib/toddler mattresses. Too big. I should have figured that out earlier, but hope springs eternal, I guess. Granted, it will come in handy when we do move her into a "regular" bed, so it wasn't a total waste of time, but it was slightly maddening since the thing is a *bitch* to put together. I sat there thinking, okay, so what now?

Well, I took the removed side rail and lashed it to the head and footrails with a boat rope. Yes. It was total McGyver but you know, it worked just fine. It only extends up about an inch and a half so in a way, it's a good compromise for the transition to "big girl bed". I do admit that I threw down tons of pillows and comforters in case she decided to launch herself overboard, but she did great. Okay, I did find her upside down this morning with her feet under the pillow, but she was still IN bed, and that's what matters.

In a way, this is kind of lovely, that she is growing up, but of course, in many other ways, it's saddening to remember how tiny she used to be and how she didn't throw tantrums and show preferences for TV shows and music and toys. When she was basically a milk sucking parasite attached to me nearly permanently. That being said, I like the idea that she is carving out the persona of "Bean", separate from me or Gene or anyone else. It does, however, point out pretty bluntly how fast time flies.