The end of the fuzzy pajama brigade

I think it probably started with Cody. He was in his little lemon yellow jammies when I was in junior high. And boy, was he cute! He had taffy curls and was snuggly. Now he is the Cody we all know and love, several college degrees, a National Championship ring, a RoseBowl ring, his own home, a job and 3 cats. How did that happen? I can only imagine how fast time will fly with my own kids. In fact, if I think about it I get a stomach ache.

Last night I realized we were out of nighttime diapers for Harper. Its been a long time coming. I hate to admit she's almost 4! But, I am one lazy mom and it has been sooo much easier to just change a wet diaper in the AM. I treasure my sleep and I didn't want to add an extra trip to her room at night if I could help it. I was smug knowing she wouldn't be able to do it. I had an extra set of sheets out, an extra blanket and I tried to go to bed early in case she needed me. And, as children seem to always do, she proved me wrong. Up she shot at 7 this morning dry as a bone.

While Harper has been out of fuzzy jammies for a while, there is a pair that hangs lonely in her closet. Just in case she wanted to put them on for old time sake.... would they even fit anymore? But now with the diapers becoming history its time to get realistic. Its time to clean out the diaper/wipe drawer. I guess I can use it for DS and Ipod chargers. Somehow, that's not as sweet and endearing as diapers and wipes. Next, I guess I will move on to sippy cup kingdom. They have multiplied like rabbits and are overtaking my cupboard. I will save 2 princess ones for the twins when they visit. The list will go on and on as the kids get older. However, unless I want to be on the TLC hoarding series, I need to let these things go.

Somehow, letting go of the material things is hard. I realize I am not slamming a door on the "little kid" stage and its good to keep things moving on. But, as I age, I wonder if I will remember it all exactly the way it happened. I know I won't which in many instances is probably a good thing. Cranberry juice in a sippy cup teetering on the edge of the table is part of our family fabric. The sound of footie pajama soles racing across wood floors is part of it too. The ipod, the wii, the dance classes, girl scouts, and elementary school will all weave in one way or another. Its nice to move forward and bittersweet looking back.

*footnote- this post was written several weeks ago. We just got back from a whirlwind trip to San Diego with the C. Stavigs and my parents. Harper had an accident one evening and had to borrow pink footie pajamas from the twins for the night. What a treat for her and for me!