One Minute Ago
First, they shared the same bassinette in the Labour and Delivery Unit (while swaddled in many blankets and wearing preemie baby clothes).
Then they shared the same cot.
Then they went into two separate cots four months after they arrived – this photo is the last day they shared a cot.
Almost two years ago we lowered their cots.
And now more changes. We tried it before. In January we removed one side of their cots, and gave it a shot.
They weren’t ready, though. Nick in particular was keen to have the cot back. There was something about the security of it, some kind of soothing effect it had on him. We turned their beds back into cots, and they – and I – were happy.
And then a change came. It came about due to a sale on beds we found, toddler ones that would be toddler sized and would be really loved. Toddler beds that had a toddler distance from the ground and have a guardrail just in case.
On Saturday, Alastair assembled the bed with Nick’s help (if by help you mean conveniently relocating various important bits for it).
Ahead of their room renovation (which is to come in the next few months), we put their beds up. It was time. Nora has finally cottoned on to the fact that one can actually climb out of the cots, and in addition noises are being made by them about potties. The cots had to go.
A part of me felt like crying for days.
A part of me rejoiced.
Mostly I feel like that scene in that cheesy movie Starman, where Jeff Bridges goes from a newborn to an adult in 5 minutes. That’s how fast it’s going. One minute (or maybe it was twenty years ago) they were born. The next minute (or maybe it was my entire life) they are walking and talking and laughing and real. I want to stop every moment and I want to advance them. I want them to be soft, comforting infants and I want to travel with our laughing children. I want to clap as they sit for the first time and I can’t wait to see their reactions this Christmas, when they know that Santa is coming and they know what presents are.
I want to celebrate and cry. I wish I could describe how this felt. I wish I could have been prepared for feeling this way.
The twins love their new beds. Of course they do. They were ready, it was me that wasn’t ready, it was me that was being selfish. The twins have slept brilliantly and perfectly and hopefully that continues. They love their “red beds” and will love their room renovation and I know they do, I’m glad they do, I really am.
They’re growing up and of course they should. I just sometimes wish it didn’t ache so much. It feels like something happened on my watch – I was watching them and it changed and what does it mean, this change? Someone once commented that every stage is the best stage ever, and I think I agree with that. I love that they talk and giggle and sing and “want to help Mama”. I guess I just feel like a spectator along for the ride, and the ride is so wonderful and exhausting and perfect and hard that I never want it to end.
-S.
Wow, no bed sides?! Harry spent a week without them, but fell out 3 times!
They look delighted!
Dude, you’re going to hate potty training. Hate.
Oops! There are guard rails, just not shown in the photo as they weren’t on the beds yet.
I already hate potty training, and it hasn’t started yet. When does college start again?
Snazzy beds! Love the red frame and star bedding. You’re holding up so well! My twins are within 6 months of the cot to bed transition, and I can’t even think about it without crying. Where the hell did the time go? I want it back.
My son is 27 months and it tears my heart out every time he tells me “I’ll do it myself, Mommy.” Can I live with him in the college dorm?? Or is that too wierd???? Nick and Nora are too beautiful for words.
So Precious! And the beds are adorable.
Two things, the advice that bugged me the most when my first baby was born was this “it keeps getting better!” At that moment I couldn’t imagine how it could get any better than it already was?!? Then she grew, got longer, started talking, became her own little person and it does just get better and better and better. Secondly, potty training, you will get more advice on this topic than any other and I am sure you can comfortably double that advice with your twins! The only thing I want to say about it is, don’t rush it. Seriously. They will do it when they are good and ready and you can either spend a year cleaning up accidents, or keep your nearly three year old in nappies until she literally trains herself overnight, ON HER TERMS!
Snazzy beds!! A banner day (when they go from cribs to beds)
I feel exactly as you do-I mourn in a way what has passed, but at the same time can’t wait for what I will get to share with them. All while enjoying them now.
Its true-just when you think “this is my favorite stage”, they reach the next one, and decide that is the new favorite. I honestly really don’t remember much about potty training my kids, except Veronica caught on right away and Scott peed in the toilet no problem, but didn’t like to poop in it. I got a little reminder last weekend when we went camping with my nephew, who is in the midst of training. I forgot how sweet it is when they are so proud of peeing in the potty, and how they say goodbye to their poop when they flush.
I cried when I took down Amy’s cot. Cried. It was bittersweet.
As usual Shannon, you have explained perfectly how it feels.
Abs x
Angle3 just turned 3 last week, and I couldn’t wait to get rid of his crib/cot. :) Every night for the last 12 years, I’ve gone into Angel1’s & Angel2’s rooms right before I go to bed, kissed them on the head, and said “Daddy loves Angel1/Angel2.” I couldn’t do that with Angel3, because his crib was too deep. Now that he’s in a bed, I can. :)
Are they starting potty training? What a glorious day that is when they don’t need diapers anymore and stop having “accidents”!!! I think diaper changing and diaper buying is the one phase I couldn’t wait for my angels to grow out of. :)
So well said, as usual. Congratulations to them and you for making the transition!
I love the look they were giving the camera. Had they just woken up? And the star blankets are ADORABLE! :D
Ha. We kept our girl confined until her 3rd birthday. She wasn’t a climber, and until she was ready for potty time, we were all happier with her in her crib. But the bed hasn’t been too terrible…except for the fact that we have to send her back to bed until 6 am EVERY FREAKING MORNING!!! Sigh…
But since one day she’s mouthing off like a teenager and the next, she’s feeding her dad Square Soup (made out of foam letter blocks), we’re OK in the “time goes too fast” department.
It was a big day in the MNT household when Noah got his first bed. He was just past three and was more than ready.
Now Kiel (at 32 months), well, he still sleeps in our bed. And in fact calls it his bed. I don’t see him wanting his own bed anytime soon, and I’m OK with that. Who says I can’t go with him to college?
In the picture that is them the last time they shared a cot, I love that Nick is already looking fascinated by the light!
S. are you trying to make me cry? Beautiful.
Ah, well. this growing up thing is a double edged sword. I delight in my kids doing new things (although I do wonder where on earth they learned half of em from) but today for the first time I saw my girsl drink out of cups at nursery like it was no big deal at all.
A part of me broke.
g
It never ends – right now I’m proud of #1 at 26 finally working out how to deal with the world without drugs, seeing #2 at 24 managing a post-production facility, #3 at 13-next-Tuesday racing round London doing PR for the Scout Association – see http://www.scouts.org.uk/news/315/enterprise-and-adventure-with-the-entrepreneur-award (she’s the girl in the orange shirt) and #4 at 10-and-a-half for doing her Grade 1 piano in 2 terms – and seeing her finish Cubs last night to go to Scouts in September.
so sweet. I can’t believe they are three already, I remember all your pregnancy postings. I so wish I had taken photos like these, its a beautiful but simple timeline of their baby milestones. love the last photos. they are too cute for words..
we have those same beds in blue! I love them because though small, they are big enough for me to get in if I need to! They look so happy!
I echo Abs and say you have described it perfectly. You probably already know what I am going to say, but… there with you. Love and hugs and tears and an joyful but aching heart.