There it is. My baby things.The swing.
The exersaucer.
The bottles.
The sleepers.
The teethers and wrist rattles.
Save the crib, that's it.
I've sold them. For $103.
Seems so small compared to all the happiness I've had using them.
I must admit. This was not an easy step to take. It's like I'm admitting I won't be having any more babies. I can think it. I can agree when my husband says "no more", but actually coming out and doing something as drastic as selling my baby items? That means I have to commit to it.
I love babies.
But that's it for me. And I'm sad.
Help me out, moms. Those of you whose babies aren't babies anymore, how did you come to terms with it? How did you close the door?
14 comments:
Very hard step to take. That's why I haven't done it.
My youngest is 2. I've gotten rid of the baby things, and not really been too sad about it, because I've moved on from that point in my life - I've gone back to school to realize a dream I've had for a long time, my oldest is in 4th grade, and, while I still love babies and I'm sure I'll have a twinge when I hold a friend's, I'm over it. Ready to never buy diapers again. You'll get there!
Strap a bowling ball to your waist for a week and continue your normal routine. Imagine yourself pregnant every time one of your kids knocks down the end-cap at Wal-Mart or wets in her britches. :)
Just kidding. I cried and cried when we sold all of our baby things. But then God had other plans for us and I got to re-buy it all. (Except the crib with all of their teeth marks on it. I was so glad we had saved that.)
Hmmm...I have to say that this actually gets easier the older your existing children become. It appears that you still have an "under 2 year old", so you are still in "babymode". Now that my youngest is 5, the thought of "starting over" sounds scary! I was a looney mess just a couple of years ago, though. Once your youngest is potty trained, you will actually stop wanting a baby. I don't know exactly why changing diapers makes us want to change MORE diapers, but it's my theory and I am sticking to it. ;)
Amy
HI Supermom! I love your blog and found out about it from Meredith's "Like Merchant Ships". Anyway, I never really could get rid of our baby stuff. I remember how I wept when I finally had a garage sale when my two oldest boys had outgrown all their baby things....each thing I marked and sold was like giving away a piece of my precious babies. We went for almost 8 years, thinking we would never have any more, since I never got pregnant again. But like your other reader, God sure had some surprises for us! We had another little boy,and then two years later, a beautiful little girl...and now are expecting ANOTHER girl in about 8 weeks! And our oldest just turned 16 this summer! Only now, now that our quiver seems more full, can I really see the big picture and part with some of this stuff. Keep all the stuff that is precious to you, because either you will be able to let it go more easily later, or you'll find yourself hauling it out and cleaning it up again later! And tell your DH not to close the door on the babies that God might have for you in the future. Children really don't stay so difficult and little forever, and some of the sweetest blessings come a little further down the road than what WE expect them to!
Susan
We're done. Dh got the big V earlier this summer. We got the free and clear from the urologist (after having to take in not ONE embarassing sample, but TWO embarassing sample, after failing the first. Did I say EMBARASSING!?)
Anyhooo... I digress. We're done. And my baby is 11 months old. I get rid of baby gear as fast as I can. I don't let it sit around. I get rid of it before it seems sentimental, I guess. Maybe it's my OCD about not having clutter around. Or maybe subconsciously it's my way of coping with the reality that we're not having more. I am sad some days. I adore babies. But I know I'm done. I'm still at the point of being terrifed that the big V didn't quite get all those little swimmers b/c at this point in my life, another pregnancy is mind-boggling. But I'm still sad. And dh is sad. (He would have gladly had more.)
Sorry so long. Anyway, the only way I know to cope is to look ahead at the freedom we have without a baby's schedule and needs to take priority. I try to focus on the benefits. And when that doesn't work, I remember the sleepless nights and the sore boobs and the misery of pregnancy (mine were miserable) and that usually helps me move on. :-)
I did it many moons ago when my daughter was 5 and my son 3....it was so hard...I wanted more, my hubbie didn't. I couldn't understand how my friends could know they were definitely done. I didn't have that feeling but I eventually agreed with hubbie that we would have no more....BUT God had different plans....last November when my older two were 8.5 and 6 a precious little baby boy came into our lives...I had to buy everything again....and now I know I'm DONE! :)
my youngest is 8, and it is hard. but having 3 is good. i'm happy and content, and looking forward to watching them grow into men. and give me lots of grandDAUGHTERS to spoil rotten.
I'm one to talk seeing I want more babies....but how about focusing on the next challenge of your life i.e. nurturing a toddler, bringing up little people, handling teenagers, making best friends, getting the good baby bits when you finally have grandchildren....
Think romantic holidays with your husband sans kids, think how you can finally decorate your house the way you've always wanted, think sleep, sleep, sleep....glorious sleep....
I started selling off (or more like Tim has been giving away) all of Leah's baby stuff. I agree- it's sad!!
Just imagine the memories it will help create for the next mom. That's how I got through it. :)
Ahhh, I was sad myself when I gave everything away. But on the flip side, there was a very free feeling as well. I think now that I'm being able enjoy my kids on a whole new level (since my baby is six) that it is easier to wave goodbye to the thoughts of babies. It also helps if your good friend has an especially cute baby to snuggle and kiss for a "fix". ;)
oooooo, sleeeep. that works.
I just packed up the crib, the burp cloths, the bibs. *sigh*
I kept the boppy pillow.
I guess I'm still undecided, but I'm not. Or, maybe I am. . .
And all the burp rags and stuff? In a box on a shelf. For when the brothers start making me an aunt, or just in case.
Post a Comment