Baby Bye-Bye

After more than three years of tireless service, the first cot bought for and used by our children has been made redundant. Yes, as I write this, Baby M is asleep under the pink duvet surrounded by pink pillows on the single bed in her little room.

I suppose the prefix Baby is next to go.

What made Miks suddenly decide on Friday night that she would no longer sleep in that lovely white cot, we do not know. We had sensed the time was coming but since we had initiated Son's move to a "big boy bed", we were taken by surprise when Miks told us in no uncertain terms she was ready. She did this with shouts, screeches and wild gesticulating, which is the way she tells us about most things. Even though she has lots of words and sometimes even a magical sentence like "Idon'twantthatone".

So, thank you Cot. You have been perfect, but your services will no longer be required. Now what do we do with you? The same thing perhaps as the high chair which saw our babies safely through many a messy meal. And the pramS. And all those cute little 0-18 month clothes I've held onto. It's either Baby Bye-Buys* or bubble wrap, I haven't quite decided. *Second hand baby goods store in Durban North with sour staff and inflated prices

Coming back into use are the potty and the Barney CD. I forgot how excited they can get by the latter and strangely Miks is even more excited by the former. She spends all of bath time pointing to her front or back with a "weh" or "poh" respectively, which has me whisking her out of the water and onto the pot. She sits, smiles then stands and looks down into the blue bowl. Empty. Except once, we had some neon drops. But this is the beginning. The scary and beautiful beginning of the phase that comes after baby.

No time for side rails, just smile!