The Macs » Blog

movin’ on up

Seriously mom.
I am almost 20 pounds.
My head touches the top of the bassinet,
and my feet touch the bottom.
Don’t you think it is time for me to move to my own room?
Let’s just say I have been having a hard time letting go.
Levi has been sleeping in this bassinet next to our bed since he was born.
It is the same one that Cora slept in.
Except my brother made a really cool bassinet stand for Levi.
Cora moved to the crib when she was three months old.
I thought we would do the same with Levi.
But I was really struggling with him being in another room this time.
I like being able to peek over at him in the middle of the night.
I like being able to reach my hand over and make sure he is still breathing.
I held out as long as I could.
But he seriously was outgrowing the thing.
He would hold onto both handles with his little hands.
He even started rocking it a little.
It just might have become a little bit of a safety issue. :o)
So I gave in and Levi officially moved into his own room last week.
I’m slowly getting used to it.
And I think he likes having a little extra room in his crib.
The poor guy was crammed in that bassinet.
Cora’s room is transforming into Levi’s room.
I am almost done.
I am working on a little painting this week.
I still need to add something on the windows too.
I can’t wait to show it to you when I’m done.
In the mean time,
I’ll try to work on letting go a little.
It is so hard though.
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  • Kristi REDISKE - He is so precious-and your posts are so cute and honest, love it. I can’t wait to see his room-you are very talented-you are amazing. I still pray for your family.ReplyCancel

  • The Moffats - loved this post – it made me smile. Such darling pictures…all stretched out touching the top and bottom πŸ™‚ Can’t wait to see the room. I’m sure it will be perfect.ReplyCancel

  • Laura Ann - This is so funny to me. I love it and Levi reminds me so much of my little boy who is not 14 months old. He was very big, just like your guy. The bassinet worked for us for about 2 weeks. My daughter stayed in the cradle 6 months, he lasted weeks and then went to his bed.

    Levi is a beautiful little boy and so happy. Thanks for sharing. Always praying for you.ReplyCancel

  • Morgan Paige - He is PRECIOUS!!ReplyCancel

  • Bethany - He is such a sweetie.ReplyCancel

  • Devon - aw, this post was cracking me up! and yet, i know how hard it is to let go….good job mama!

    can’t wait to see his new room! and i’m so sad cora can’t be there to share in all your joy….ReplyCancel

  • Jennjilla - Awww, what a sweet boy! He is so precious!ReplyCancel

  • purejoy - letting go is so hard… especially for a child so dear. the bassinet stand is so beautiful. mmmm. i wnat to give my kids basket bassinets like that when they have babies. how easy for them to sleep on the go, too.
    he’s absolutely beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • Hoosier Mom - what a sweet boy… and a loving Mommy! It is hard to let go… my son just finished his 3rd year in college and I still miss him tons when he is gone to school. Never gets any easier : )ReplyCancel

  • Marla Taviano - Aw, Jess. Praying for you!ReplyCancel

  • Amanda - We laughed out loud at these pictures! I know this is just one more thing you have to get used to. I’m so glad Levi is liking his crib – but I’m so sad you are having to adjust to one more tough thing. Soon his room is going to be full of cars, balls and blocks -and you’ll walk in and step all over things or stub your foot in the dark – and you won’t even have a chance to think about anything else!ReplyCancel

  • The Mershawn's - He’s just too cute. Hard to take those little squishy things & stick them in a room all by themselves. I had a hard time with my baby a few months ago. Maybe it’s a boy thing. Maybe I’m just more of a softie. Maybe because we know how fast it all goes….sigh. It’ll get better. Sort of:)…ReplyCancel

  • meg duerksen - it has to be so hard jess!
    i would do the same thing….i can’t believe he isn’t IN the bed! i don’t think i could NOT have him in there.

    can’t wait to see his room. πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • HighlandGhillie - <3 and prayers.ReplyCancel

  • Vanessa - I remember when my daughter was born and I said we would keep her beside our bed in the pack n play until she was about a month old. Then she was almost three months and I couldn’t part with her. I loved listening to her breathe and sigh and having the ability to look over and look at her throughout the night. I am due to have a boy in July and the one thing I asked for was a bigger pack n play so that he can sleep in our room. I tell everyone its because we don’t want him sharing a room with his sister until he sleeps well through the night but honestly I just want to keep him close as long as I can! Levi is such an adorable BIG boy πŸ˜‰ReplyCancel

  • Christina - I can’t help but smile when I look at him…he’s so cute! My mom would say he’s a butterball turkey. πŸ™‚
    Continue to pray for you…peace, comfort, whatever you might need on a given day.
    And your family get-togethers looked like so much fun!ReplyCancel

  • Stef - he is SO darn cute, Jess! My goodness. He makes me ache for another boy. Our son is almost 5 1/2 and we’ve had 2 girls since his birth. I keep secretly wishing our 4th (if God gives us a 4th) will be a boy πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Mandi - I know what you’re feeling. Our little guy will be four months old on the 29th and he slept in his own room for the first time last night. It’s hard letting go. I am also working on finishing up his room to make it more his own. : )

    Jess, what setting to you use on your camera? Your photos are always so bright and beautiful. I need to know what you do! I have a Canon Rebel t1i, the lens it came with, and the 50mm/f1.8 lens too. Can you give any suggestions?ReplyCancel

  • HisTreasuredPossession - My Peter sounds like he’s on the same growth chart! We had a quick visit to the doc yesterday and at 14 weeks he’s 15.5 lbs!

    Strong, Kansas stock I say!
    ~rachel~ReplyCancel

  • Aaron and Shannon - Jess…I can’t believe how big Levi has gotten! He looks about the size of Cole! It is hard to move them to another room! Can’t wait to see it when you’re done!ReplyCancel

  • Aaron and Shannon - This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyCancel

  • Lauren Kelly - WOW, he is definitely a growing boy. Crib time for sure, haha!!! πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • The Buchanan Family - He’s such a big boy! He is growing up to fast!ReplyCancel

  • Ellen - JESS, I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR BLOG FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND I PRAY FOR YOU AND YOURS DAILY…(oops sorry about the caps. !)
    I love the saying…there are two things you give your children…one is roots and the other is wings. I have always said that I found it easy to plant those roots but very difficult to give them wings (no matter what stage in life they are…from leaving a cradle to leaving home to get married!)
    I will continue to pray for you, Joel,Cora and precious Levi-the big guy ! God Bless you all !ReplyCancel

  • Leslie - Way to go! Everything we do in life is one step at a time. Trust in the Lord. He has big plans for Levi.ReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Levi is such a big little boy!ReplyCancel

  • Candice - Yeah, he’s looking a bit big for the Moses basket…LOL.ReplyCancel

  • Karina - My advice? Don’t feel like you need to let go. I co-slept with all my children until they were ready for their own beds. For more room and comfort, they would have a mattress on the floor beside or at the foot of my bed. No rush, mama. They are not little for very long and they will have lovely early memories of sleeping next to their parents. HUGSReplyCancel

  • tara - Hello, I don’t comment often but read all your posts and your little Levi is just darling..I just wanted to suggest the Angel Monitor, as it might make you feel better about him being in his room, it signals if he stops breathing! my son has seizures and we use this monitor and it works great! just a suggestion so you will sleep a wee bit better!! xo~ TaraReplyCancel

  • Tara - I’m goin thru the same thing right now … And it’s so hard!!! But Haden has slept 2 nights in a row in his own room! AND he ate green beans last night too! :((((. Haha. He’s just growin’ up wayyyyy too fast!ReplyCancel

  • julie - hi, I have been a reader for a long time now…just wanted to let you know that I can relate. We lost our first little boy at birth. We have had two healthy girls in the 4 years since. My 2 year old slept in our room until she was one and my 8 month old is still there now. It is so hard for me to move them to their own rooms too. I love being able to watch them through the night. I think when You’ve experience the loss of a child it makes this harder. Thank you for sharing you life and family. God blessReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Aww Momma he is getting so big..He is beautiful..I can only imagine how hard EVERYTHING is for you. My heart hurts for you. can’t wait to see the pictures of the room.

    KimReplyCancel

  • hoosier68 - Our granddaughter slept in a cradle that my husband made for our children and then passed on to the grandchildren. Our daughter couldn’t bring herself to move her to the crib until the morning she saw her hanging on to the rails on both sides of the cradle with her head and feet touching the ends like Levi. How do they grow so quickly? Loved your post.ReplyCancel

  • david and amanda - I can’t wait to see pics of Levi’s new room! I’ll pray for you you continue to adjust to the changes.ReplyCancel

  • waiting - I just read through your comments, and I want to second the comment on the Bebe Sounds Angelcare Monitor. I bought it for my now 1 year old. I have an 8 year old, and then I had 2 back to back miscarriages after several years of infertility. Finally when our miracle boy was born, I was scared to death to let him sleep in his own bed. (he also preferred his stomach over back right from the start). So, I bought the monitor. I never lost a wink of sleep after that. He has been in his own bed since about 8 weeks, and I would have paid double for the peace of mind it gave me. Just a thought! BTW….he is so precious! He looks like he’s saying, “Really mom…..I love you and all, but this has got to stop! Look how big I am:)” He is soooo cute!ReplyCancel

  • Mrs. Southern - He’s adorable! baby P is 5 months old and is still in our room. Upstairs to his nursery is just too far away for me right now. He sleeps in his pack and play in our room so at least he’s not in the bed, right? Can’t wait to see his room!ReplyCancel

  • Beki - TheRustedChain - Of course I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know…

    But I think it’s about achieving the perfect balance of letting go and still hanging on. And even when you’ve reached that balance, it’s never going to feel perfect.

    You’re a wonderful mommy!ReplyCancel

  • Wenzel Family - What a cutie!!! Question for you…I remember seeing a quilt in the photos when you were starting to make Cora’s room into Levi’s…green with white stars! Can you tell me where you found this? Both of your babies are so adorable!ReplyCancel

  • k and c's mom - HA! Those “crowded” pictures are so funny. He has the sweetest expressions on his face. I think you kept him there just exactly the right amount of time. Trust your heart, sweet girl, and take your time in the journey. You are doing a great job.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - The stand your brother made is beautiful — what a special gift! Levi is one super cute little guy no matter where he sleeps!ReplyCancel

  • Melissa Jensen - He looks so much like Joel to me!! I miss seeing you guys every sunday!! Glad I have your blog to read to stay in touch! Take care!! He is super cute and I love his sweet face!ReplyCancel

  • littlemissmk - still think of your family often. God bless you three πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Carla - I haven’t been on in quite a while, busy with my own little bruiser (who was 15lb at 6 weeks!!!) You are doing great. You’ve already moved him to his room at this stage but I would say, if it feels to early then just bring him back. My 2.5 year old slept with us until she was 2 (IN the bed, I’ve never been kicked in the eye quite as much as the last year lol) and even now that she’s in her own bed, comes into our bed every night. Her brother (the fat one) is 11 weeks and I won’t move him out until he’s at least 6 months and possibly alot longer…just as well I have a patient husband lol. Your boy is beautiful, I love to see your updates even though I don’t have much handsfree time to comment these days and even though we’re strangers, I’m still very proud of how you are handling so much emotion all the time. Levi is a lucky little manReplyCancel

  • Jenifer's Journey - He is getting so big and cuter by the minute…cant wait to see his roomReplyCancel

  • Julie - he is gorgeous and I love his bassinet . . .

    I have an award for you over at my blog.ReplyCancel

  • Deborah - I can’t wait to see the room. Levi is just so darn cute. I can see why you have been stalling a bit. You can still sneak in and take a peek.ReplyCancel

  • Alisha - Cora will never be replaced and while you are letting go, just try and look at it as moving forward and honoring her like you have done since she passed. She has a smile that lights up the world and the older Levi gets he is going to love hearing about his big sis and how special he is to be able to be blessed with using baby items that his sister used. I think that it probably is tough on you seeing a new baby in what was viewed as Cora’s things, but I think in the long run, later in life – Levi is going to love that he had that bond with her. I think he will feel her presence in her old bedroom and she will be his guardian angel to watch over him.

    I’ve never posted before but just wanted you to know that anyone with even 1/2 of a brain is going to realize and know you are not replacing Cora with Levi and you are going to love him just as wholeheartedly as you did Cora. God bless you and you keep Cora’s memory alive. He (Levi) will thank you and as well, it will be great for your mental healing. Your heart will always be filled with love for Cora so you don’t have to worry about losing that.

    I admire your honesty on this blog – you don’t sugar coat that life has moved on and things are just perfect and full of bliss. Your feelings you share are raw and so real. I’m proud of you (coming from a perfect, total stranger – lol) but I admire your transparency.

    May God continue to work on your healing – and healing does not equate to forgetting. May He strengthen your marriage and also let you love Levi without any guilt or mixed feelings.

    I will continue to pray for you during this time of transition.

    AlishaReplyCancel

  • Bonnie - Levi is getting so big & he is so precious! My baby boy will be 5 months tomorrow. He weighed 17 lbs. 4 oz. at his appointment this week. Babies grow so quickly! Can’t wait to see pics of his room…
    BonnieReplyCancel

  • The Lundstroms - I totally understand. I slept on the floor of my daughter’s room for the first 2 weeks that she was “in her own room”. I just couldn’t bear leaving her alone.

    You son is so beautiful. πŸ™‚ReplyCancel

  • 4D Life - Good Lord he is precious!!! I agree with the other posters on the Bebe Angel Monitor….Get one today! You will not regret it. Best investment ever.ReplyCancel

  • Kristi - Twenty lbs of pure and precious hunk-a-baby! Love it!! Is it sad that I just want to reach through my screen and squeeze his adorable baby cheeks!

    The bassinet stand is gorgeous! Your brother did an amazing job!

    I think of your family often. I know precious Cora is so happy to see her little brother bless your family.ReplyCancel

  • Wife to the Rockstar - AWWWW. He is so cute.

    I hate when they start growing up!

    Your blog is adorable!ReplyCancel

  • Wife to the Rockstar - PS. I love the name Levi.ReplyCancel

  • Ki - I know we have to trust God with our little ones, but 2 things that really helped us were a video monitor and a motion detector monitor (Angel Care monitor.) Then you know they are breathing and you can see them. The video monitor also helps when they are older and fussing and you want to look and see “is this a standing up, I’m not going back to sleep fuss? Or is this a lying down, I’ll settle myself fuss?” Just a thought.ReplyCancel

  • Jenn Bontrager - Your little Levi is so precious.ReplyCancel

  • Christina - I agree….he is so cute, I can hardly stand it.

    Have you ever thought about getting a video monitor? I use one. I sleep with it on and when I wake up I can look right into it & see my little Pooh. Don’t get me wrong, I still get up a million times to check on her {and she’s 3 1/2} but…it’s nice to have the video monitor too, otherwise I would be in there 2 million times instead of 1. hehe

    Blessings from Pooh’s Corner.ReplyCancel