Crib
Dear bébé,
Yesterday, we realized that we have a little over 80 days until we meet you, yet there was no crib in your room. So, we drove on I-494 opposite rush-hour traffic to Ikea, where we picked up a lovely crib for you. I hope you find it meets your standards; it was selected with an eye first towards safety and then esthetics. Did you know there are about a million rules for cribs? Slat spacing, mattress thickness, weight support, wood finish (this crib has none, quite safe!), firmness, hardware, age limits, height guidelines, what can be tied, what must be left out. All to keep you safe. Not that your crib is unsightly, (far from it, in fact I think the charm of its simple lines make it timeless) but I suspect you’ll agree your sleep safety during your formative years is more important than having faddish espresso-colored wood supporting your mattress while you dream. And we simply aren’t sleigh-crib style parents.
The furniture and home goods store Ikea will probably still be around when you read this, but if it isn’t you should know that everything from there requires assembly. So, today we sat on the floor of your room for about an hour and put your crib together. We could’ve done it faster, but when the furniture you are assembling will support your baby each night, you take the time to read the directions more than once. You were there too, but you won’t remember—you were probably dozing in mom, rocked to sleep by her as she read the instructions to me. The sight of the tiny slats and raised bed was one of those “holy cow, I’m grown up” moments that you’ll find yourself running into during your twenties.
Soon, we’ll fill the empty crib with a safe mattress and before we know it, you’ll be sleeping there. Your mom says she hopes you have many nights of good sleep in this crib and have lots of exciting dreams about all the new things you will be learning. As for me, well, I want to be the best dad for you, and I don’t yet know what that takes, but I’ll do my absolute best. I sense my life will never be the same. I’m excited! And scared.