Leaving the Nest
I want my babies to stay babies forever. Unhealthfully so. I’m pretty sure Lulu would still be breastfeeding were it not for that nasty back injury and not wanting to pump her bloodstream full of Vicodin. Although my OB/GYN said at a recent appointment that she would have been fine nursing even with the narcotics. Shh…don’t tell Pea Daddy, I think he wants that week of his life back that he spent “weaning” while I was popping pills, writing poetry and taking pictures of Oprah.
Totally frameworthy. You can have that one on me.
I finally gave in today, though, and agreed to make the trip to IKEA tomorrow morning and get Gigi a new bed and move Lulu from her crib to a “big girl bed.” We had a makeshift therapy session as I folded and refolded Lulu’s crib blankets eight times, saying goodbye to fuzzy bunnies like they were family members. But I agreed, and we’re going. Afterward I went out to the backyard to check on my baby robins, only to find this:
An empty nest.
I have been absurdly protective of the robins since they hatched. Tuesday morning I peered out the window, saw a gangbanger calico from two houses over staking out the nest, caught sight of a few tufts of nest on the back lawn and flew out the door like Mel Gibson after five rounds of Cuervo. Luckily it was a false alarm and the babies were still sitting in the nest, mouths open, waiting for Mama.
Today though, I saw the empty nest, heard the babies’ screeches and looked around frantically. I found Mama at the day spa with Today’s Catch. And though I never saw them, I came to the conclusion that her babies, our babies, had set up camp in the adjoining shrubbery.
It’s okay, Mama. I know how you feel.
I softened the blow of tomorrow’s shock to the system by having some friends over for dinner.
Remember Andrea? (She’s on a new server, so if you had www.caretoeat.net in your Reader, you have to resubscribe. Please do. She had a picture of a sausage the other day that you don’t want to miss.)
Amidst all my emotional turmoil, I managed to put together a feasible dinner for guests.
Pita chips and pineapple salsa.
Mixed greens, pea pods, carrots, peppers, cucumbers, mushrooms, almonds and lime tahini dressing.
Whole wheat dough, organic mozzarella & pineapple for the little ones & Thai Chick-un Pizza from Eat, Drink & Be Vegan for the grownups.
Our Un-barbecue was moved indoors on account of rain. Our little birdies were not deterred.
After dinner, poor Pea Daddy was left to bedtime duty while I sipped Spanish wine with our guests.
Gigi told Lulu, “If you are scared tomorrow night, just call out ‘Sissy!’ and I’ll come running.” That’s right, ‘Sissy,’ or even ‘Daddy,’ both of those are quite effective. I’m also told that Gigi was quite concerned about what we were going to do with Lulu’s crib. Apparently the consensus was reached that it should be turned into a backyard trampoline. Yeah, I don’t do trampolines.
So now, that I’ve vetoed that, I am off to my last night of restful sleep, where Lulu is happily contained, her soft head among fuzzy bunnies, along with gorgeous, happy, white, protective and containing bars.
I feel you, Mama Robin. I feel you.
Holy MamaPea look at Lulu…she’s a little girl now. Man oh man..she’s just grew up overnight.
p.s. you could just have couple more..just sayin.
We are at the same stage right now, but Baby T. is currently sleeping on a foamie on the ground BESIDE her crib, because I don’t have the heart to pack the crib up yet. One step at a time. I give it another week, then I’ll reconsider removing the crib. In the meantime, she’s campin’ out.
Thanks for the bedtime story!
My gosh, I just love this. I just love all the cute pictures of Gigi and Lulu… It’s so bizarre to think that one day, I’ll have lil babies of my own.
Lovely to see that you can do it in a heathy, happy, loving fashion.
What a cute post! I’m dreading the day M moves to her big girl bed.
I love how Lulu is growing up right before our eyes! She’s turning into a beautiful little girl
Lulu is too adorable. Hang in there for the shopping excursion!! I’m not a mom yet, but I had similair feelings when I had to buy a new crate for my dog because the puppy size didn’t fit. Okay, not quite the same thing as what you’re going through, but it was still pretty traumatic.
Wow Lulu really is growing up! Can’t believe how much she has matured even in a few months.
Oh Sarah, she has gotten so big! I am so with you! Tomorrow starts the day with my 4th and 7th graders going to their first day of school this year. I am trying to just let it go, but really it is breaking my heart. Last night while hanging out with my boys, we talked about god, religion, reincarnation, spirituality, death, heaven, hell, sex, hernias and tumors all in a matter of a few hours. I guess what I am trying to say is that as they get bigger, it is hard (as the mom), but talking to them now is the best! They are just incredible people…incredible friends to have. Ugh…now I need a tissue. I hope you have a good day. Good luck to Lulu! Enjoy the big girl bed!
Awww I adore this post!
I am slightly (read: insanely) jealous that Andrea and Chris live close enough to just come over and be dinner guests. Mike needs to hurry this 3rd year up and just graduate already so we can move west 
Maybe it’s just the mention of the big girl bed but WOW – Lu really does look so grown up in the pictures in this post!!!!!
My daughter is five and our only one. Her fisrt day of kinder is next Monday. I’m suddenly hit with the fact that there will be no more of these”firsts” for us. No more first day of school, no more first words, no more first steps. It’s hard to be a mama bird!
oh man, i can’t even begin to imagine how you must feel. i only have dogs, and when they get up in the middle of the night (usually because it’s too hot for them to snuggle) i toss and turn and cry a little. motherhood is going to be the life and death of me!
Aww I remember how hard it was for my friend to convert their crib into a big boy bed. Now she can run out and get in you in the morning instead of calling
Yes, Cyn. Herein lies the problem.
cute post!
Lulu looks so much like Pea Daddy! I’ve said it before but she is literally growing up before our eyes!
Good luck at IKEA. I’m so jealous that my friend got her new catalog already, and I haven’t gotten mine! It’s one of my favorite annual reads!
Yes, I will be “borrowing” a catalog or two today.
I feel your pain! I had to put my daughter’s crib away two years ago when she turned 2 and I became more emothional than I thought I would. Have a great day:)
Awww your girls are adorable! Your robin ‘spa’ cracked me up.
It only gets worse as they get older. My oldest daughter (18) is heading to college next weekend. I can’t even imagine how much I’m going to cry as I have to drive off and leave her 4 states away and a 16 hour drive away. Great post!! Very timely for me!
stop midway through ikea for a snack. seriously, trust me on this. otherwise, at the end everyone will be crying.
they have less than stellar vegan options but they do have like organic pasta with marinara and steamed veggies. and adults can totally get the kids meal.
also lulu looks so bigggg!
I swear those girls get bigger everyday. Both of hem are absolutely darling
I just found out Friday that we’re having a G I R L !!! This makes readings your posts even more endearing :> Yay for little girls!!
Aw! I love the “big girl” beds at IKEA though. They have a pink one that is ridiculous it’s so cute.
I’ll be thinking of you and mama robin.
Andrea’s sausage post was so hilarious. I love her posts. You two are lucky to be so close!
I hope you enjoyed that last night of actual sleep! I sought revenge on my parents as soon as they found it was time for me to have a bed. Mainly because my sis and father used to turn my crib over and tell me i was in jail for hours at a time…
Aww Lulu looks so much older in the last photo! By “manage to pull together a feasible dinner” did you mean make a splendid vegan feast? It all looks delicious. Lucky Andrea!
She looks so grown up in that last one!! She’s adorable.
Spanish wine? Always a good choice.
Lulu is growing up….I know it must be hard, but she is going to grow up to be a great lady just like her mom!!
Oh Mama Pea….I feel you so much on this one! My 2 (almost 3) year old is asking for a “bed like Sissy’s” more and more, but I’m so not ready. I like having her safely contained in “baby jail” as my husband calls it. My response is always the same “first she comes out of baby jail and the next thing you know she’s out partying with the wrong toddlers inthe neighborhood and we have to go bail her out of REAL JAIL!!” I’m not ready…
GOD LUCK!
I am keeping my little one (almost two!) in his crib for as long as possible. Feeling for you on this one!
Parker was in his crib one night in Cincinnati the a 5 day road trip of big beds to find a big boy bed in his new house in Oregon. I was worried as he LOVED his crib, but he adjusted and hasn’t gotten out at all, but he is my sleeper. I, however, was never so happy as to get rid of those crib sheets, blankets and fuzzy bunnies. I am not to much of a sentimental person when it comes to certain things. No more babies for me, no reminders please
I have a killer pineapple salsa recipe, we must trade.
That kids pizza I would have scarfed down~yummmm and the wine
You have the cutest girls on the planet
Just wanted to ask, if it’s not too personal, how long did you nurse your children and do you feel that there is a proper age to stop? No kiddo’s for me yet, but hopefully soon!
Hey Abbey, I nursed until 18 months for Lu (she didn’t take a pacifier, so she was just kind of doing it for comfort at that point) and Geeg (who took a binky) was weaned right at a year. I think a year is pretty par for the course, but to each her own!
I am a lactation educator and nursed my daughter til she was a little over 3 years old. All breastmilk is good, the longer the better in the opinion of most professionals. Wean when it’s a mutually desirable or a circumstantial need, i.e. major surgery, deployment to Iraq, the child is 4.5 yrs old and it’s not mutually enjoyable anymore, etc. Sorry to chime in on this comment but it caught my eye and am always willing to give my lactation .02
Holy smokes! Lulu looks SO grown up in that last pic! She’s looking so much like a little GIRL as opposed to a little toddler lately! She’s going to be a beauty, like her mama and big sis
Thank you for letting me know about Andrea’s blog! I haven’t read ANY of her new posts!
We almost went to Ikea yesterday! Good luck with the transition. I agree Lulu looks gorgeous in that last picture!
Just found your blog and love it already! I made your “Larabars” today and they are fantastic (didn’t stick together tho) and will definately be making them again! I know where to come for a good laugh! Thanks so much!
Hey Laine, I think you can fix the dryness problem by 1) grinding longer; 2) adding more dates; 3) adding a tablespoonful of water at a time until you reach the right consistency. Hope that helps!
I’ll give it a try–thanks a bunch!
Ok here’s my confession….Skylar does not have a big girl bed. She said she likes her crib. She says she doesnt want a big girl bed yet. Ok fine! Soon we have to get moving on the big girl bed but for now, Im in the ignorance is bliss or something like that, i.e. she’s behind the bars LOL, mindset. We went from co-sleeping to a crib at like 1 year and she’s been there ever since and I actually have to re-do her room and get new things for her books, toys, etc…god, I smell a major overhaul$$ happening. Sigh. Sorry to babble
Congrats on the successful pizza’s…another recipe I have never made from ED & BV and everytime I see you make something from that book, I’m like, huh, that was in there?! where? But yes, that one I do recall seeing,…need to try it!
Since I had a grumpy day, I should have known that some MamaPea prose, and Baby Peas frollicking in matching rainboots (I may die of cuteness) would cheer me up…. can I maybe pull up a chair for a glass of Rioja and pineapple salsa? Just sayin’.
I still think that cast photo of the Lu could win any photo contest on the planet. No one ever made reccuperation look quite so cool.
I have minded baby birds in the nest before, even been a surrogate Mommy to abandonded ones. I’ve had to do the shoebox in the house trick with the dropper after a cat attacked a nest.
It is always a sad, amazing moment when they fly away; I tried to focus on the adventures that awaited them.
I would say those lil robins (ALL of them) are lucky to have you around.
I looked at the pic of Lulu in the dress and was like “there is no way that’s Lulu!” Holy crap! I remember when I started reading your blog and she was so little. Poor mama!
You guys do make really cute kids….
Too cute! Looks like the little ones had a ball.
PIZZA PIZZA!! awee and the little ones playing outdoors <3 such little beauties !!!
Lulu looks like such a big girl in that headband and ponytail!
Thanks for makin’ me smile on a Sunday night!
Whoa, is that Lulu? It’s like she grew up overnight!
favorite picture of Lulu ever.
and i amen to sara above – i feel like lulu looks like a lil’ girl and i swear gets cuter by the day!!!
awwwwwwww…fun with my fave portlanders! im going to have to say it again. when did lulu turn into a teenager!?! shes so grown up!!! and adorable. my god i could comment (aka gush) all day about your cuter than cute children.
Did you make that whole wheat pizza dough? Looks delish! We have been making pizzas on whole wheat french bread(lazy momma) but I would love access to a great WW dough. P.S. tried the cookie dough “sarah”bars again after an unsuccessful try and adding more dates and a dash of water did the trick for getting them to stay together……yum.