The Adventures of Harry and Grace (H.S.)

Big Girl Bed

"Harry, it's time." You tell your husband, a little concerned with the way he is going to take the news.

"Time for.... wha'?" He asks confused by your cryptic message. "Time ta move? Time for a haircut? Time for chocolate ice cream and brownies? Need a little more information, Darling." He says into the phone.

"Time to move Grace into a big girl bed." You are quiet in your delivery, trying to hold back the emotions you are feeling about your almost three-year-old daughter being in need of a major change in her life. A big girl bed. How is she growing up so fast?

"Are yeh sure? She's two, and three quartas." You can hear the sadness in Harry's voice as he realizes his little one is growing up. "I'm just not sure she's ready."

"Oh believe me, she is ready." You say with a slight chuckle. "Nap time today consisted of Grace climbing out of her cot five times to be exact."

"Five times??" Harry's voice is full of shock and a tiny bit of pride that his daughter happened to escape her cot five separate times. Without his help. "When did she learn how ta do that?"

"Apparently today! She kept saying 'no cot Gracie bug. I big girl!' So I think it's time, H." A loud sigh is heard on the other end of the phone before Harry starts speaking again.

"Okay. Would yeh like me to call Charlotte? See if she can help us decorate and order some furniture? It's probably time for a complete upgrade from the nursery."

"I think that sounds lovely. Charlotte always does a beautiful job." Charlotte helped you and Harry in the designing of Grace's nursery. Her style fits well with the family. Very simple, but with a pop of color.

"I'll give her a ring on my way home. Is everything else going okay? I'm sure Grace is knackered from all the climbing and no sleeping." He is genuinely concerned with what is happening at home while he is in the studio. He misses his girls, and is slightly sad he isn't there to witness the little escape artist.

"Today has been good besides the whole nap time incident. We have played a lot! Ready for you to come home." You tell him sweetly. "What time do you think you will be on your way?"

"Uh, about thirty minutes. We are almost ready to wrap up." Harry confirms.

"Alright, I'll let you go. Call me on your way?" You wrap up the conversation, a little worried your daughter has gotten into something as the noise coming from the family room is now gone.

"Yeh. Hey, I love you." The smile on his face comes through in his voice.

"I love you too." you say, ready to hang up the phone.

"Bye darling! Talk soon." Harry finishes the conversation.

--------

"Bow bub-bowls daddy!" Grace giggles in the bathtub.

"Don't yeh think about poppin' it this time, fluff muffin. I want it big." Harry says in a teasing tone to his daughter. Grace and Harry are engaging in their favorite bathtime activity. Bubbles. Tonight, Grace has popped every bubble Harry has blown, each time ending in a fit of giggles from the little one.

Harry pours a small drop of shampoo on his ringless hand, rubbing his palms together, bringing the suds ready to create the perfect bubble. Keeping the tips of his fingers and bottom of his palms pressed together, Harry creates a hole. The soap creates a screen on the opposite side of the opening. Puffing out his cheeks, Harry blows air out of his mouth. Grace's eyes expand as she watches the bubble stretch.

"I pop?" Grace asks, moving her finger closer to the clear ball of temptation. Harry shakes his head no as he continues to blow the bubble until it gets so big it POPS, sending remnants of soap all over the little one.