Letting go of the little things... Hanging on to the memories

I've come to realize that as much as I adore my children, I probably wont be having any more.

I thought I was okay with that. I still think I might be. I just feel like it's time to get rid of their baby clothes (the ones not stained by bodily fluids or formula, anyway). I'll hang on to a few special things, but the bags and bags of clothes that I've kept over the years... I just don't have the need for any more.


My Sister-In-Law had hinted a few months ago that if there was "anything I don't want or need", she would be willing to take them off my hands. No, she's not pregnant yet, but I suspect she will be soon. I've decided to pack everything up and give it to her. For quite awhile the thought of parting with these little physical reminders of their babyhood was too much. Besides, I could always have another baby, I thought. I might need them.

I think it's time to let go.

No more onesies. I always adored onesies.


No more late nights with a colicky baby.

No more of those teeny newborn diapers, the ones that were still to big for my little ones.


No more teething rings. No more teething, period.

No more pacifiers, or Playtex bottles with the easy drop in liners that I loved so much.


No more rocking my precious angels while I'd give them their last bottle of the night.

No more coaxing a two year old to walk down the aisle as a flower girl.

So my Sister-In-Law will receive a few bags of clothing... I'll free up some space. I'll be a little sad. But I'll always have those memories. Oh, and that black and white dress... I'm keeping that.

8 comments:

Jay G said...

We *SO* totally need to do this - and bear in mind that my kids are 7 and 5.

We are so definitely done (for many reasons...); but Mrs. G. has been holding onto the baby clothes for her two younger sisters. One sister has a daughter (and they're talking about #2); the other sister is currently expecting her first.

A good third of our attic and a quarter of our basement (and we've got a good-sized house) is taken up with kid paraphenalia. There's bags and bags and boxes and boxes of clothes in the attic, along with toddler beds, swings, and other small furniture.

In the basement is every single toy we've managed to pry away from them to date (not an easy task). One of these days we need to rent a dumpster and go to town...

Unknown said...

What an adorable picture! Well I'm sure it's more adorable now than it was at the time trying to get her to walk lol

Ambulance Mommy said...

awww, I totally hear you Epi. Its brutal every season that comes around, and I keep switching tiny clothes for bigger and bigger ones. Suddenly, we are up to 4T, and I don't know how this happened! Only 23 months ago he joined us...how can he be in 4T clothes??
My sister is having her third in a few months. I'll send her what I can bear to part with. But yeah, I'm gonna hold on to some things for as long as I can. And others, like his coming home outfit? Why, those are coming out the night before his wedding!!! :)

Epijunky said...

Jay, I could have the mother of all garage sales with the amount of stuff I've held on to. I had the room for it before, now I don't... I've got cribs and swings and highchairs baby seats (oh LORD do I have the car seats)... It's insane.

EMS Chick, She actually flipped out five minutes before the wedding started and my poor step dad had to go sit in the car with her because the screams were echoing through the church. This is one of three pictures I have of her in the dress. She's not in any official wedding pictures.

Ambulance Mommy, my three year old is wearing a size six coat and 5T pants because she's been blessed with long legs. Like Mom. Poor thing has no idea what shes in for.

Stacey said...

I am saving my fav's to make a quilt out of them when they are older.. I hope to end it with maybe trimmings from fittings of prom dresses and wedding gowns..

Stacey said...

oh and I hear you about clothing sizes my 4.5 year old is wearing 6-7's

Anonymous said...

This is the same issue I am currently having. As Butter Biscuit ages out of her baby clothes, I should be giiving them away...but the "keep" pile keeps growing.

Anonymous said...

I have a flowergirl dress that my mother wore in 1959. My sister & I played dress-ups in it when we were little, and hopefully one day our children will do the same.
Some pieces are meant to be kept as family heirlooms!