My heart nearly exploded as I just laid my little guy down to sleep.

Let me rewind a few days.

A couple mornings ago, on his third birthday, he woke up in his crib and declared that very soon he would be sleeping in his big boy bed.

Mind you, this big boy bed has been in his room for six months now, along with his beloved crib.

Yesterday, after his three-year check up at the pediatrician, he decided that last night would be the night.

After he left for school this morning I packed up the crib piece by piece and moved it into the spare room.

There’s no urgent need for the crib right now, (I know what you’re thinking … no, there’s no baby on the way) he just knew that he was ready.

I didn’t think this would be an emotional experience but as I moved that last piece out of his room, it hit me.

He is no longer a baby. He truly is a big boy now.

As I stood in his doorway admiring how far we’ve come as a family, I was interrupted by our house cleaner. She has 3 kids of her own, and quietly gave me that knowing smile, walked away, and gave me my privacy.

I smiled, teared up, and a sense of excitement came over me for our future together as a family.

Fast forward to last night.

I just read him one of his favorite books (Goodnight Rabbit), sang our 4 usual songs (Blackbird, ABCs, twinkle, little man – a random assortment, I’ll add), laid down all of his lovies, kissed him (while he gave me his special nose honk), and then we said our goodnight saying that we’ve said every night for as long as I can remember (“goodnight, I love you, bye bye, good day”). Not sure where the last part came from, as I don’t think he knows anyone from Australian.

I left his room smiling and crying at the same time.

Miles, you truly are a big boy now. I couldn’t be more proud of you.

I was just standing outside typing out this post on my phone (my normal routine after business hours), and heard a noise.

I looked up, and you’ll never believe what I saw.

YOU standing on your “new” bed, looking out the window, waving to me.

I smiled, threw my hands up, and said “go back to bed, Miles” with a smirk.

You started laughing so hard that I could hear you through the window.

And then a miracle happened.

You shut the shade, and laid down.

I couldn’t be prouder of you, Miles … Now, go to bed!

xo, mama