Sappy Baby Bye-Bye

It's about all gone.  The baby stuff.  I don't know why I've been hanging on to it for so long.  Babies aren't happening around this place again.  In a pretense two years ago I said I didn't know how old Andrei would be when we brought him home and what he might need. But really, was he going to be using the Baby Einstein play floor gym?  Or that adorable Tommy Hilfiger navy blue dress in size 3-6 months?

I had thought my sister was being "sappy" when she got rid of her infant items/clothing/toys.  "I'll bet your storage room in empty!"  I attempted to celebrate.  "Yeah, but...." was all she said. 

I understand now.  I don't know what motivated me to do it.  I literally woke up three weeks ago, marched up to the attic, and brought down tub after tub after tub of baby clothing.  Then I noticed the baby swing.  Then I found the infant baby tub. And then it was the crib mobile.  And then, and then, and then... I made a quick call to the Crisis Pregnancy Center here in town and asked if they could use some infant items.  "Of course!  We'd be so thankful" the  nice lady on the phone said.  I told her I'd be there by the end of the week.  I knew if I didn't make a quick appointment I might chicken out.  So, thanks to the pregnancy center, Craigs List, GoodWill, various friends of younger children  and the NICU (where Annsley spent the first 21 days of her life) we're about all baby-ed out around here. 

Every night I'd show Doug my daily finds.  "Do you remember when Annsley wore this?"  or "Do you remember this?"  I think the girls had a lot of fun looking through all the stuff as well.  They kept asking if they wore this or played with that.  "Mom, tell me about when you put me in the carrier.  What would I do?  Hey, can't we keep the baby swing?  Andrei would like it.  Mom, did I like wearing those pajamas? Mom, why are crying?... Are you sad?" Yes, Kristin--I was the sappy one now! I made sure most of the items grouped together went to the same place/family.  It somehow made me feel better to think that one child would get the benefit of my girls' things instead of an item here and an item there.  I don't know if that makes sense, but I think that falls under sappy as well.

But now I have a lot of room up in the attic.  A lot of room.  You forget how much stuff you need for babies.  And now I have lots of empty plastic tubs.  Not to despair--I'm sure I will find a creative use for them. 

In my whirlwind clean out, I decided that it was time to get rid of the high chair.  Was it a "throw the baby out with the bath water" thing? Or was it wanting some more room back in my kitchen?  Or was it the reality hitting my 43 year old body that I have a toddler and my attempts to make Andrei older than what he is?"  I decided to get the booster seat out and see how Andrei did with it.  After all, he is only 23 months old.  He loves it!  He is so proud of "his chair".  He shows it to everyone who walks in the door.  And the best part is his plate hasn't ended up on the floor.  That was my big deal.  Gaining more room in the kitchen wasn't going to be worth it if I was going to be moping 4 times a day.  I don't think we'll be able to go back either.  He saw the high chair tray resting on the table yesterday, looked at me, and shook his head, "No."

Here are pictures of him in his "big boy chair" at breakfast the other day.  He ususally gets oatmeal, but he was enjoying a special treat of blueberry pancakes that day.  He's sporting his new cap his daddy brought home as well.  Doug thought he'd win some bonus points with the grandpas!