the last time

There are moments in motherhood when something happens for the last time and you know it’s the last time.  There are also moments when something happens for the last time and it just slips away, with no announcement or realization.  Like the last time your little one holds your hand when you cross the street, or calls you mommy instead of mom.  It just changes with no warning and you don’t know it’s the last in that moment.  Big kid things just slip in, quiet, unannounced, subtle little changes.  Sometimes, I am not sure which scenario is the most brutal in motherhood.  Probably because they both are?  Tonight, as we put Z to bed I was thankful to know about the change coming.  We’ve always co-slept with all of our babies and we’re finally moving the very last kid out of our bed.  It’s been an off and on journey for 24 years total!  Co-sleeping has been such an incredible gift for our family and I’m so thankful for the bonding, extra sleep in the newborn days and all the snuggles.  It’s not always easy, nor have we loved every second (feet in your face, ribs, back, anyone?), but we are sad to end this era of parenting forever.  It’s time, he is ready, we are ready.  We were hoping to make the transition when we move in to a new RV, but shopping is taking longer than planned, so we are diving in now.  He’s so excited about his new bed in the boys bunk room!  I know weaning is just around the corner too.  One more big step toward having only big kids and putting the baby days completely behind us…