The end of an era

The other day I went to put Allie in her jumperoo before I got into the shower, just like I've been doing every morning for a while now.  However, this time Allie protested and fussed.  She wanted OUT.  This was a stark contrast to her usual behavior.  Up until now, I could hardly get her positioned inside the jumperoo before she would start 'jumping'.  Her little legs would start pumping excitedly as soon as she realized she was going into the jumperoo.  I'd have to physically hold her legs still just so I could get them through the little leg holes!  It always made me smile.  But now, in the blink of an eye, she was clearly ready to move on to bigger and better things. 

Today I broke down the jumperoo and prepared it to be handed down to another little baby girl – and I feel so sad! It’s forcing me to acknowledge that Allie is past the adorable little bouncing infant stage of her life, never ever to return. I found myself on the verge of tears as I carried it down the stairs. Is that crazy or what?

According to Allie’s caretakers at daycare, Allie loved that jumperoo more than any other child they’d ever seen – and her jumping skills were unmatched! She jumped higher and more enthusiastically than any other; and she could jump forwards and backwards and side-to-side: a skill they claim they’d never seen demonstrated before. Allie’s jumperoo antics were the source of a lot of laughter and jokes at daycare and amongst family members. And watching Allie enjoy her jumperoo was certainly a big source of joy for me. I hate to see the end of this era; but I also know this is only the first of many stages that will fly by waaay too quickly.   *Sigh*