Not so baby anymore.

Last nap in his cot.

Well, it's done. Hugo is sleeping in a real bed for the very first time.

Hugo's sleep around here has verged on the sacred. Although it really took a full year to get there, once he started sleeping through the night, we have only had to get up a handful of times. Even when he has a cold, his sleep is barely disrupted.

During the day, he religiously sleeps for about 3 hours, sometimes 4. In other words, Hugo's sleeping patterns are exceptionally amazing. And the idea of disrupting them was a little frightening...

BUT he is growing up and by chance I walked into his room a few days ago just as he was attempting (and getting pretty close) to climb out of his cot. He had one leg well and truly over and was about to pull himself up to get to the other side.

This was the cut off line and so the new bed was assembled over the week-end, sheets were washed, books were read and today, for his nap, Hugo climbed into his bed, snuggled under his new doona and put himself to sleep without a sound.

We'll see what happens when he wakes up.

Meanwhile, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I feel so proud of our big boy but also so sad. Who are you and what have you done with my chubby baby?!

We always reach these milestones with mixed emotions. It is of course enchanting to watch him grow up and leave his babyhood behind but it means new rules have to be written, new habits need to be formed and we, as adults so comfortably stuck in our ways, have to adapt again and again. Just as we think we have it all under control, we throw it all to the wind and start anew.

It is as amazing as it is bewildering.

As a mother, every step forward makes me want to laugh and cry. Maybe I don't need to choose and can just do both. One door closes and another one opens.

First time in a real bed.