Big Day!

To be quite honest, this is a bigger day for Mommy and Daddy, than it is for Graham.  I’ve told everyone I know that this day would not come until Graham was at least 4 years old, but at 17 months, 5 days old, it has come… we TOOK DOWN THE PLAYPEN TODAY! 
Since Graham was born, having a safe, hands-free option for him was absolutely critical for me.  At first he went hands-free in his bouncer, sling, and exercise mat.  Next, he graduated to the swing, jumper, and exersaucer, and finally to the beloved playpen.  As he became more accustomed to barricaded spaces (outside with the gates up or inside with certain areas closed off with childproof locks) he became less and less content in a true enclosure (like the playpen) and within the last week, it became clear that the playpen’s days were numbered.  Graham can still be safely left in his crib and his exersaucer (for a short period of time while we take a shower), but with the disassembly of the playpen, he has officially graduated into the big boy land of freedom (save a few barricaded areas). 
I couldn’t bear to send the playpen directly to storage, so it has been repurposed to protect the fireplace, bookcase, and TV:

Thank you playpen for many, many months of wonderful service.  We will miss you more than you will ever know!