big girl bed

Yesterday was a super busy day.  I was running errands from 8am until 9pm with not a lot of downtime in between, but the end result was that we were able to pick up all the things we needed to set up Abby's big girl bed.  Big day.

I'd been looking for beds for a few months now.  I'm picky and cheap, which is a difficult combination.  I ended up contacting a woman about a bed I saw on craigslist.  She mentioned that she had other beds not listed and when I asked if she had anything in a darker wood - she did.  And, I was sold.  So, I picked up Abby's new bed on Saturday morning.

I love that the bed isn't new.  I love that it's old and dark wood and has a lot of character.  I don't know who it used to belong to and I don't know how old it really is.  And while it's in great condition - it's obviously been loved too.  I'm happy with it.

We didn't tell Abby about it until that morning either.  But, then we really started in with the "big girl bed" stuff.  She caught right on.  As soon as I brought the bed upstairs, we put it together to measure some things and Abby just laid down right in the middle of the empty frame and pretended to sleep.

silly girl

As the rest of the day went on, we were able to procure a mattress and box-spring, slats, bedding, a guard rail and all the odds and ends we were lacking.  I'll spare you all the mundane details.  But, just know that it took 2 trips to get the right length of slats cut and we had to return our guard rail twice before finding a third one that actually wasn't dysfunctional.

Helping us get slats cut. ;)

So, this morning, we made the switch.  I didn't really know what to expect from Abs.  The first thing I heard her say when she woke up this morning was "Yay! big girl bed today!"  So funny.  I was happy that she was looking forward to it.  She helped me take the crib apart, she handed me tools and put things away for me.  I asked her if she wanted to give her crib a hug and kiss bye-bye.  She said, "Umm, no.  I go get my big girl bed now"  Sorry crib, I promise she loves you.

Abby helped us put together the big bed too - she was so funny carrying the bed slats (or trying to) from room to room.  She would drag them a few feet and sit down with a big exaggerated "whew! That's really heavy!"  She could not wait to get the bed put together.  We had to run some more errands to get a few more things, but everything was ready by naptime.

I dunno.  I'm cautiously optimistic.  Maybe it just hasn't dawned on her yet that she *can* get out of bed.

I put her down for nap, just like always, told her I'd see her when she woke up and left.  She chattered quietly for about 15 mins and it's been silent for the past 45 mins or so now.  I'm pretty sure she didn't get out of bed.  Times like this I kinda wish we had a video monitor. ;)  So, hopefully nap time goes off without a hitch.  I know night time might be a totally different story.  And of course, once it dawns on her that she can play and get out - we'll have to deal with that.

But, right now, for today?  Things are going well.  :)  I can't believe she's this grown up already.

Also?  Seeing the crib in the baby's room...kinda made this pregnancy real again.  This is all very surreal.

Anyway, here are a few more pictures of Abby and her very first big girl bed.

Abby's new bed!

She was so excited to get to get on it. :)

I think this picture makes her look so big...and so tiny, all at the same time.  

(probably doesn't help that those PJ's are nearly 12 months too small. ;)

All tucked in for the first time.

Abigail - Your daddy and I both are so so so proud of you.  For a million reasons.  But, one of them is how wonderfully you've taken this initial change.  You continue to impress us.  Congratulations on this big milestone baby girl.  We love you!