Finn has been begging for a bunk bed. I promised him when Miles came out of the crib that he could get one. Finn's a creature of habit. He doesn't adjust quickly or well to change. So when it came time to actually sleep in the new bunks with his brother - I thought for sure it would take a week or so to make the transition. He proved me wrong.
Miles sleeps 2-3 hours every afternoon. However, the last month or so he has decided he'd rather nap with me in my bed, than in his own. Once or twice a week this is fine - as I stay up to all hours of the night working and need an afternoon rest every once in a while to catch up. He, however, needs one EVERY day. Or we all suffer. : ) And he will wake up if I try to transfer him to the crib. He's like Yoda with his mad senses - knowing if I'm inching away, he'll reach out and pull me back in.
So my solution was to get bunk beds. This way Finn can play on the ipad and 'rest' on top while I lay with Miles and get him to sleep on the bottom. Then Finn & I could sneak out while Miles rests and I can actually be productive in the afternoons again. So far, this part of my plan is working. : )
The part I didn't expect is that the boys are sleeping together at night.
They like being together. It melts my heart. Oddly enough they don't even wake each other in the mornings.
I've had a bit of a hard time adjusting. The crib is still parked in the hallway outside their room and Shane looked at it today and said "I guess I need to take this down, huh?" Then made sarcastic weeping noises as he looked at me. He'd love to have another baby too - but he feels he's getting too old. Finn takes a stern tone with me (like I did something wrong) and asks why I made daddy cry. ; )
As much as I am excited for every phase of motherhood....the baby stage is a hard one to part with.
Their room is now a hodgepodge collection of things that don't go. I used to try to decorate and 'theme' things. But this room....its a mix of things from Miles nursery, the playroom, necessity and lots of love. I can't seem to pull it together any more than it is. Because to me, I look at all the things in this room that have meaning and I think its perfect.
Miles newborn photos that used to be above his crib - one had to be moved to fit the bunks.
The framed thrift store find - the "Mother Goose" nursery rhymes in alphabet. The mobile that I made for Miles and stood for 2 hours super glueing the pieces in perfect balance so it would hang evenly.
The beds are twin/full and I put reading lights on the top and bottom. Adds to the whole 'fort' feel and the boys absolutely love them at night. :)
The rocker I used for both boys...who were both rocked every night to sleep in it. The love seat I bought in CO and my old coffee table now turned car track, puzzle bench and toy storage. Miles shadow box of newborn goodness. The music box my parents brought me from overseas when I was a little girl.
I cherish these tiny hand prints. And these images - I am so thankful to have them. Each showing their personalities. Each capturing them at this tender age. I rarely get in the photos. I love having an image for each of them showcasing our relationship.
Last, we have lots of monkeys in our house. There are two here....
And two here....
Life moves on. A wise friend gave me advice that basically said this...as a parent you must move along at the pace your kids are ready for....not at the pace you're ready for. My boys were ready for this. I love watching them sleep - side by side. Brothers. My heart never knew such love.
Am I ready for this? Heavens no. I want Miles in the crib till he can't stretch out. : ) But I have to do what's best for them. And so it begins. They're bunked. I'm cutting strings. One by one.