The allure of unrestrained morning territory beckons too strong for my little (big!) boy

4:30 a.m. is early. Really early. I wouldn’t even call it morning. I’d say it qualifies as middle of the night.

Apparently, Moshe does not agree. Gone are the days when he’d entertain himself in his crib as the morning sun casts its rays over my home. Now, the hurried patter of little feet has become a predictable morning melody. My son has transformed into a full-fledged escape artist. It was evident that a change was necessary.

“Guess what? Moshe’s going to sleep in a big boy bed!”

I’m too old-school for a cake smash, but the first night in a big boy bed is one of my favorite milestones to photograph. Nothing beats those shining eyes and the beaming smile of a little person shedding baby and transforming into boy.

Shema is said. Water is drunk. Lights are dimmed.

Following those rituals, a curious thing is expected to occur: something we call sleep.