Oakley Turns Three

Where did my baby go? She just celebrated her third birthday this month. She seems so grown up now, all of a sudden. I was talking with my sister, Heidi, the other night (who had been away on business for a while) and she agreed that Oakley isn't a baby anymore. Her language, her mannerisms, her personality, her independence, her (and the temper) have all exploded. I've been trying to get her potty-trained, so we've been talking a lot about being a "big girl". It helps that one of her little friends is in "big girl pants" already, 'cuz she wants to be like her. (A little competition doesn't hurt, right?) So, I knew it was only a matter of time before she got a little smarter about what else "big girls" do. As I was putting her down to bed the other night, we were talking about what a big girl she is (even though she is still in pull-ups at night). She said, "Mom...And big girls don't sleep in cribs anymore." (I knew that was coming.) I have enjoyed way too much the "freedom" I have by having her in a crib still. She hasn't learned to crawl out of it, nor does she have a younger baby sibling in need of it. It's been so nice. Oakley's had a few nights here and there in a "big girl" bed, but nothing permanent. So, she's still in the crib. (Are any of you other mother's out there cringing about now? Am I a fool?) We knew the time would come eventually that she'd have to move out of the crib (like when her feet stick out the end or her head hits on the other side - just kidding). But, I guess in reality...I just am not ready to let go of my baby yet. When I talk to Oakley about how she is so grown up and not my baby anymore, she says, "Nope...but you can still rock me (or hold me)." Sob, sob, sob! I know! There are good things about potty-training your last child, but it is also that moment of truth, when you realize that a certain phase of your life is ending...never to come back. We do plan to move Oakley into a bed, as soon as we figure out the room situations with our girls. At the end of the school year, we are going to mix it up a bit and try some new things. In that event, Oakley will most likely move in with Dakota, leaving an extra bedroom upstairs. We've given the older girls an option to have their own rooms, but they don't want it! They enjoy each others company too much. Personally, I don't mind that one bit. They are still young and don't need a lot of personal space, yet. And those bonding moments one gets when you share a room with a sister are priceless. I am so glad that they are friends. Dakota, on the other hand, is not sure about being Oakley's roommate. The couple nights that we put Oakley in the spare bed in Dakota's room, she kept Dakota awake and Dakota did not appreciate it. Which is really ironic, considering that Dakota did the same thing to Brooklyn when she slept in the spare bed a few nights later. It goes both ways, and it's all part of that process of learning to share spaces, yet respect others within those spaces. (All lessons I had to learn sharing a bedroom with my sister. Holly and I were complete opposites in many ways, but we became better friends in the end. But that didn't come without occasional fights, tape down the middle separating the sides of the room, and silent treatments.)
Oakley still likes to cuddle, still likes her blankies, being mommy's shadow, reading with me, etc. She's my little pal when all the girls are off to school. She is so much fun to have around and makes us laugh everyday. Oakley is only three (going on twelve) with the attitude to go with it. So, I better enjoy it while I can, because before I know it...this phase of my life will be gone, too.

(I'll post more about her b-day party next time.)

Happy #3 Oakley!