Bye bye crib

I don't know what came over me yesterday. Well, no, that's not true. I do, or at least I think I do. Jerry goes back to work the day after tomorrow. That return will officially start tax season, and because of his transition into a different position, this will likely be the worst tax season we've ever endured. Translation: Jerry will almost NEVER be home until some time in April. I've taken some measures to ensure we don't lose our minds around here. The boys will both be in school 10 hours per week, I'm trying to hire a neighborhood teenager to come play with the boys two or three nights a week and on one weekend day so I can cook dinner/work/hide in my room and cry/mutter/rock back and forth. That kind of stuff, and more.

My point is that I'm trying to plan, to get those things done that will need to be taken care of before Jer's extended absence. So yesterday, without much thought, I decided to tackle Hunter's room. To move the big bed in there, re-organize his clothes so that what doesn't fit is out and what fits is in. To organize what was once a changing table to a toy organizer (he barely fits on there anymore). Etcetera etcetera. Wilder, by the way, is increasingly my and Jer's little assistant and he was quite helpful in the whole endeavor. He was also VERY excited for his brother to be out of his crib.

Hunter was also pretty excited about the new bed and set up a chair to leap from onto the bed. Kept running across the room and launching himself onto it. Kept rolling around with his stuffed animals on it. Still, the first nap and the first bedtime ended, after much crying, hollering and fussing, with him going back into his crib, which we've kept in the room for now. He wanted to be in the big bed, but it was all so new as to cause much consternation.

But now, as I type, he lays in there peacefully zonked out. The third time was the charm. So, what I'm almost positive is my last baby is no longer a baby. The crib is out. The only thing that really remains are diapers, and I'm sure I won't have quite the misty-eyed reaction to seeing those go that I've had to the crib. More like dancing around the room, waving my arms above my head and singing "Hallelujah!"

And to Hunter, one of the sweetest baby boys who ever roamed this earth ... I feel like this marks the end of an era, in a sense. So let me have a few words: Hunter, you are AMAZING. You are this wonderful combination of sweet, loving, affectionate, rambunctious, crazy, joyous, cranky, calm, confident and creative that lights up our lives and fills our home with much laughter and love. I cannot have imagined a more perfect addition to our family. I love you so much, sweet boy, and can't wait to see your barrel through more of life's challenges and adventures.

Here are some photos from the last couple days.