Big Girl Bed
Another milestone was passed at the M’s today. It’s not like passing a kidney stone or anything, but it was still just the tiniest bit sad as I took the crib down for what will likely be the last time.
It was past time. That crib was second-hand when we got it 7 years ago, and after both my beasty boys and Miss Noodle, who is far from docile, it was, quite literally, coming apart at the seams. Oh, I suppose someone with a vat of Gorilla glue and some woodworking know-how could salvage it. The wood is nice rock maple, and I don’t really want to toss it, but it’s in such poor shape I don’t even think the thrift store would jump.
When I had Abby, I was worried it wouldn’t hold up when Bean inevitably got in to see the baby- which he did, of course- but it did, too. Held up, that is.
Last summer, I picked up a darling antique bed at a yard sale. A little coat of fresh cream paint, and voila, it looks dreamy. An email sent to the ward list asking if anyone had a twin box and mattress they were looking to unload, and within an hour, I had one in my garage. At the mom’s consignment store, I found a bed-rail for six bucks. I did splurge of some pretty girlie sheets. I mean, I know, I know- it’s not where our money needs to be going right now, but I just couldn’t put my girl to bed for the first time in her big girl bed with cruddy old Transformer sheets.
I know, Waaah. Big deal. I realize I sound like a privileged brat. Yes, I know how blessed we are, I know people in other countries are sleeping on dirt floors- and maybe it was irresponsible, but I cracked for just a minute. It’s been so hard, for so long now, and I wanted the Shabby Chic sheets at Target to match her totally darling, totally vintage head and foot board. I shall feel guilty about it, and I shall still be glad anyway.
You know what? She didn’t get up once. I tucked her into her soft, fluffy, sweet, totally girlie little white and pink bed, and she snuggled down into her ruffled pillows and went to sleep. Not a peep.
Is that a picture of her bed? Even if it isn’t, the bed you described sounds gorgeous! I want it for myself (except I’m pretty sure my husband would object). And I so don’t blame you for the new sheets–nothing against Transformers, but…yeah. Try not to feel TOO guilty.
And yay for Abby sleeping in a big girl bed.
What a beautiful bed!! I’m glad the staying in bed thing went well. I’m a bit scared to even think about it yet.
Yeah. Don’t feel guilty. Sweet little girls deserve pretty things.
OK, so you’re going to work as a free-lance photographer, right? Such a pretty, pretty bed! I wouldn’t make a peep either.
Ditto glittersmama. It only happens once, celebrate!
I need a really good nap and that darling bed looks like just the place. I’m coming over. Tell Abby to scooch over.
Ah, it is indeed a passage of time.
How neat.
Transformer sheets really wouldn’t do…I don’t blame you one bit. It sounds beautiful!
Don’t feel bad at all. This is beautiful, and it’s neat that she has reached this milestone. Congratulations.
That is seriously one of the most beautiful beds I have ever seen in my life. And what little girl doesn’t deserve the most beautiful bed? I’m glad she slept well for you…
Pretty pretty. As for the guilt, poop poop on it. Its not like you went out and bought a diamond. Everyone has their vices, at least yours is only a pretty set of sheets for DD.
BTW- yesturday I gave a woman on welfare and church assistance a ride to the grocery store. She came out with 8 cases of Mountain Dew and a $10 bowl of pasta salad from the deli among other things. So dear, you are doing a quite fine job of managing your resources.
New sheets are the best thing sometimes. Simple, crisp elegance. We all live with such guilt as mothers, don’t go heaping unemployment guilt all over this one! The snuggle down, not getting out of bed, sleeping all night was well worth the cost. Like my mom always said, “in ten years who will know I bought new sheets for the big girl bed girl while you were out of work?”
I love that your ward has an email list! Our ward still thinks the internet is evil. bleh. Maybe reciting this story, well the mattress part at least, will help them see the virtue of having one.
You could think of it this way…maybe the reason that she did stay in bed was because of the nice, soft, clean, crisp, girlie, new to her, just for her sheets…instead of the older, scratchy, itchy, boy tranformers sheets. (not to say that they were scratchy or itchy…) Besides it’s not like you went to the most expensive store that you could find to get the most expensive sheets known to man made out of some nearly extinct materieals…
Besides…with as much puke as your family produces, getting one more set of sheets was a wise thing, ya know, for the middle of the night bed changes, or when you just can’t get to the laundry one day!
T,
It is the LAW that girls (especially first girls and only girls) cannot be put to bed on their older brothers sheets. Period. (However, subsequent brothers can be put down on their older sisters sheets… it just works that way)….
I love the bed you described. How heavenly. Now you just need a filmy, IKEA canopy…
Your description of the crib made me laugh b/c that is exactly where ours is right now, each of the wood pieces is popping out of its home…it looks like someone dipped it in blue marker and then threw it off the back of a truck. Not the place I want to put my sweet little baby….
Glad to see you posting… give A a big hug for us. Next up. Dating!
Our crib was the exact same way. It literally fell apart, but I was OK with it, three kids is enough for any crib to handle, I was just glad it lasted that long!
I actually hate the big bed transition, because usually they don’t sleep, and are up all night, wandering the house asking for water at three a.m., so I think it is a huge blessing that she took to it so well. She seems to be your little angel child.
Also, we have the Shabby Chic from Target too! They’re awesome. And character sheets often are scratchy, cheap material. You’re paying for the character, not the quality. So I think you did absolutely the right thing, especially since the mattress was free!
I for one, would sleep MUCH better in those sheets than in transformer ones. So it’s not just frivolous, it’s an investment in the quality and quantity of her sleep!
All 6 of my kids made it through on one second-hand crib. At times I wasn’t sure it would survive the jumping and older sibs climbing in to join the baby, but it did! Little miracles are blessings!
Don’t feel guilty about buying new sheets for Abby’s bed. She deserves to have something special. This is such a big transition, and it’s amazing that she stayed in bed all night! Lucky you!
Besides, I view this as one of those necessary splurges to help you make it through this trial in one sane piece!
What a beautiful bed! I want to sleep in it. Sometimes the “frivolous” things are really the necessities that keep us sane in an insane time. Plus she slept so well, so I’d call that a wise purchase.
Have you ever done a “how to garage sale” on your blog? ‘Cause I’d love to read it. You have such an awesome knack for finding the treasures!
I love that bed! Our crib made it through 3 boys, a 6 year break, and then my little girl. She made the transition to a toddler bed, but I would love to find a gorgeous girlie twin bed for her now. And good for you for splurging once in a while. My husband has been struggling with work issues for nearly 3 years now, and is currently unemployed. Yes, the money could have gone somewhere else, but if you never splurge, life would be miserable. So when you are having a hard day, go crawl in bed with your darling little girl in those gorgeous sheets and have a good snuggle!
That is awesome! What an incredibly resourceful Momma you are Tracy.
I have been working with my girls bedrooms this week too!
That is one of the most darling beds I have ever seen! Between you and me, I think it’s okay to splurge on the little ones now and then. Seriously, they are only kids once and you only GET TO RAISE THEM ONCE! It will be fun to spoil our grandkids, but not quite the same, I think.