I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo and the Five Minute Friday writers today – and the prompt is:
Close
We moved her into her big girl bedroom this week. The one with the tent where she could sit cozy and comfy and read books if it weren’t filled to overflowing with pillows and stuffed animals. I moved artwork, chairs, books, took apart an entire bed just to put it back together on the other side of a wall.
I close the door to her nursery and open the door to her big girl room and it’s like a physical shift from baby to toddler. We snuggle in the same chair, now in a new place, and I think about how this girl who says shockingly kind words to me:
It’s perfect, mama.
You buy it for me? I love it. Thank you.
You my best friend.
…she used to just look up at me with those big brown eyes and I’d wonder what was going through her mind. I don’t wonder any more. The endless questions, demands, requests, songs, dance parties in tutus – those are the big girl things life is made of now.
And as I move my office into her nursery I realize how full circle we’ve come. My office started here in this room. Moved out to make room as I God asked me to close the door on a career-focused life and instead take on the title of “mommy.” That was a hard transition. A new identity. A new responsibility. And now I type these words in this same space but with a new heart that embraces who I am in this season. Another hard transition, but full of joy as I see our family growing and changing.
I sneak quietly out of her room at night, mama radar on high alert to avoid making any sounds that might disturb the little one snuggled down in new Minnie Mouse blankets in her new toddler bed and I close the door another day, another chapter, with an expectant heart for what God has next.
And for a little bonus fun, please enjoy this video of Madi’s toddler concert. Excuse the awful videography – I was laughing, shooting on my iPhone, and standing way in the back. Where she saw me and spent the first 5 minutes telling everyone “it’s MY mommy! Hi! Mommy, hi! It’s MY mommy! Look!”
So sweet.
That’s such a wonderful transition, from baby to toddler, and such a lovely transition in your own heart, from career-minded to mama-minded. (And both at the same time possibly?) I get where you’re coming from, since I never envisioned myself as a mama either, but this little girl stole my heart, and I don’t think I’ll ever get it back. We serve a wonderful God who transitions us like that. Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful way to mark the transition and new chapter. Blessings.
Just one if many milestones to come. I love that you recognize these milestones but that you also see beauty that comes in the in between.
Your post is beautiful. It conjured up emotions I’d long left behind relating to my very own daughter. I’ll write about that in a bit.
Crystal – such joy in your heart laced through the words you share with us. May we all find joy in our life transitions even when it takes time to know what God is doing as He brings them. Thanks for including the video – one of many memory makers you can store away in your heart!
Life and motherhood are full of transitions. I think we often fear them on the front end, but I can say with confidence, every season has something wonderful. My daughters are in their early 20’s now, and I am absolutely loving who they have become, how we relate, and watching their dreams come true. I relished the tutu years as well. Even in my grown girls I get glimpses of their toddler selves and I smile. Loved your sweet post today.
What beautiful words to capture a beautiful moment in your shared lives. And these words: “That was a hard transition. A new identity. A new responsibility. And now I type these words in this same space but with a new heart that embraces who I am in this season. Another hard transition, but full of joy as I see our family growing and changing.” They just capture it all and whisper truth to my heart. Sometimes I lose sight of the bigger picture of the seasons of my life because of the many details in each day.
Thank you for this encouraging reminder today.
Randomly popping in to check out some FMF posts, and I love this. Just love it. I wish I could stay home (no way I can afford it, which is incidentally what I blog about) and the imagery of you moving your office to make way, not just physically, but sort of emotionally, too is touching. Great post.
Thanks so much Kirsten! I’m so glad you stopped over 🙂
This brings back the memories of when we started prepping one of the bedrooms for my office- and a couple of weeks later I found out I was pregnant! It was so hard to let go of that dream and now? Oh, my word!!! I wouldn’t trade my Ainsley girl for any office in the world. 🙂 And it looks like I won’t be getting that office for at least 7 years (and that time seems so short as I type it out!). God has a way of moving us through those transitions and allowing us to savor the blessings. I love Madi’s room- so cute!!!!
Oh my gosh! I love this story 🙂
Another milestone mama moment! I remember the day we took down the twins cribs and put them into their big bed. Oh my heart… Your baby girl is SO cute! Happy Friday!
Why don’t the baby books tell you that you’ll be as weepy as you are joyful at these milestones? (and happy Friday!)
Aaah – toddler beds.. my girlie just bought a full bed and who can know how they got it from the store to the new place but (as far as I know!) they got it there! LOVE the rooms – both of them are gorgeous!!!
Thanks Karrilee! They have been a very very slow work in progress. Like 5 years 🙂
I can’t even THINK about a toddler bed….lol
I KNOW, right?
You’ll never regret the time you spend with the little ones in your life (Jesus set that example, didn’t he? When he paid attention to little children instead of the important adults). You’ll draw on those precious moments when they get older and push you away as they test their wings and things. They’ll draw on those moments when they test their wings and things and they’ll come flying back and love you all over again in a new, more grown up way that turns into adult-sized best friends.
“adult-sized best friends” – your comment makes me feel a little weepy with joy at the thought 🙂
Love those full circle moments! What a sweet girlie you have, Crystal. That’s a decision you will never regret.
Thanks Holly!
Aw, your little one is so precious! Isn’t it amazing what can happen when we allow Him to close one door and open another?
Amazing, indeed!