When All You Can Do Is Assemble A Crib

The best baby item we ever received was a hand-me-down crib. My husband’s thoughtful cousin passed it along after she had her third daughter, and, six years ago, we were thrilled. Baby George had a bed!

As George progressed through typical baby milestones, I decided we should convert the crib into a toddler bed and see what happened (ah, how different life was with just one small child!). Well, this also happened because I was pregnant with Olivia, and my back hurt when I lowered my growing toddler down to the lowest level of the crib.

Olivia used a different hand-me-down crib until George got his “big boy bed!” for his 3-year-old Christmas. Then Olivia also chewed white paint off the crib, following in her big brother’s footsteps. She also learned how to be a big girl and “stay” in her bed by choice once we turned it into a toddler bed.

For her 3-year-old Christmas present, we also gave her a “big girl bed!” (though she only got a twin, not a full-size like her big brother…no one say a word!).

OK, blah, blah. Why do you care?

Last night, I convinced my husband to help me reassemble the crib. It’s a job he’s grown to despise, as he’s had to assemble, reassemble, and convert that same hand-me-down crib countless times. And it takes an Allen wrench, which was one of the most tedious tools ever invented.

But it was time. Time to inspect the baby-tooth damage and wipe off the dust. To pull out the crib sheets and find the tiny blanket. To do a little bit of nesting.

Because we are getting ready for another little one to sleep in this crib.

This time, though, we’re not expecting a baby. We’re expecting a 2-year-old boy who currently lives in China. And we’re not even sure he’ll fit in the crib very long.

I don’t even know what kind of bed he sleeps in now. And that’s more than a little heartbreaking, but I can’t wait to tuck him into a little crib all his own, in a room all his own, in the heart of a family all his own.

As we wade through paperwork and waiting and governments and long distances and so many things out of our control, all we can do is pray. Pray and build cribs.

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Currently Reading:
Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden – I first discovered Ms. Eden in her regency novel, Seeking Persephone, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast (my favorite fairy tale to have retold). The Duke of Kielder was such a fun character to watch in the role of the Beast. So, whenever I want a clean, enjoyable romance, I’ll keep an eye on Ms. Eden’s bookshelf. This one is set in Wyoming during the bonnet-and-pioneering days. While I’m not in love with the characters, it’s an enjoyable ride thus far, though I’m concerned the story may spread over more than one book.