Just as I was getting settled into the evening, ready to enjoy some peace and quiet, Mr Surfer called me over in the kitchen. It was time; that unavoidable, most dreaded task of clearing out the shed. And as with any of these overwhelmingly massive chores, tackling the overcrowded space corner by corner is the only practical approach.
We’ve been talking about throwing out which of the twinlet’s baby clothes for a while now. And as they get older, the pile of what’s been outgrown just gets higher.
Begrudgingly, I walked into the kitchen to sort out the garbage bags. I promised myself I’d be stern; Throw out most of what is no longer used and only hang on to a few pieces as memorabilia.
But whom am I kidding?
I am the world’s worse hoarder. Why? Because I am the world’s soppiest sentimental wuss.
Scents; songs; a certain time of the day; all have their way in setting off the nostalgic button in my consciousness and I’m left floating on a myriad of memories. Short, yet significant snapshots of yesteryears.
Sorting through the bibs, newborn onesies, tiny booties, I grabbed items like I was shopping through a bargain bin.
I seem to impress Mr Surfer how I was able to pick up a piece of clothing and immediately recall which relative and friend gave it to us.
Some stuff I held tight and close to my face, trying to get a whiff of any new baby smell remnants.
I made sure we kept everything the boys wore during their time in NICU; the handme down onesies that were still too big despite being size 00000; the ugly singlets stamped with “NSW Health” in prison red, the blankets that kept them warm and close together in the nursery while we weren’t there with them.
Wondering how we got from size “Prem” to now, it was inevitable I got teary.
Knowing the sentimental fool I am, Mr Surfer instructed, “Whatever you want to keep, keep. Don’t think about space.”
So, I did.
So much for ruthless culling. It’s just not in me, man. It’s just not.
Are you an expert at culling? Or a sentimental hoarder like me?
Joining Essentially Jess for IBOT
Oh, man. It’s hard! I was brutal. I have kept three things (also 00000/prem) from when Ashleigh was born. I will also choose three things from these early months of Mitchell’s life.
Lots and lots of photos though! They take up less room.
But I’ve also got lots of ‘works of art’ of Ashleigh’s. And some pasta jewellery. And all her books, with her attempts to write her name, and a few with scribbles across illustrations. And the friend I handed all of Ashleigh’s clothes onto has given them back, and I’ve been flicking through them again, and they’re so cute… so maybe I’m a hoarder too!
Emily recently posted..Newborns look wisdomous
I am a sentimental hoarder!!!!! 🙁 I would love to be able to cull as it would give us our garage space back!
I was thinking of taking certain items from the clothes I have packed away from the kids and have my favourite pieces made in to a blanket or a teddy bear. That way I can give away the clothes to someone in need. 🙂
Jodi recently posted..Baby girl
I do not hold on to belongings. I’m surprisingly unsentimental in that regards.
I think I have moved too many times and spent too many years living out of a suitcase.
(Might also be related to my dislike of any sort of clutter – seen, or unseen). I had one baby outfit kept for each of my girls which are now being worn by their baby bjorn dolls and will no doubt be cut up and recycled into barbie clothes.
kirri recently posted..Waiting for your Big Moment.
Oh bless, Grace!!!! I’m sentimental too but I must say that I’ve improved out of sight and have unearthed some ruthlessness that has been a great help in decluttering. I’ve got one storage box per child, each holding memories that must stay ……. decades old pregnancy test anyone???
x
Shari recently posted..5 reasons why Mums should NEVER catch colds …
Oh I love this!!
I thought it was going to be another post by someone who was so successful at culling things. I find it so hard to give things up too, the things that have meaning anyway, and so much of it does.
Glad to come across someone who is embracing it. I tend to just feel guilty about not being able to cull easily.
Good on you!
x Sannah
sannah recently posted..A Solution to Pre-Dinner Nagging
Oh boy that is some clothing. I have a chest for my son and inside is one outfit from each year of his life. I was ruthless and resold all of his clothes on eBay and made a few hundred dollars in the process for his bank account.
Jacana recently posted..Kiva
Practice makes perfect. If you need some training in the art of the declutter you are most welcome to come over to Chez Abulous and clear out our wardrobes 😉
Love your beautiful baby snaps 🙂
Mumabulous recently posted..I Know You Want It
There has to be a happy medium. I got rid of everything and as such have NOTHING from my son’s newborn size and smell. *sob* I don’t seem to have a problem getting rid of things, it’s only afterwards that I can sometimes regret it -Aroha
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..96km in 26.5 hours. Could you do it?
That’s kind of a lot… but I get it, totally. Such beautiful pics of your boys in the NICU. I used to get teary every time the girls would outgrow a size 000 and need to move up to a 00. I have only kept a handful of things though, that were hand-knitted by close relatives, or special pieces like christening dresses. Otherwise I passed them on to friends so I know their girls can wear them and they’ll be loved. Thankfully the older clothes have been trashed enough that sentimentality doesn’t need to come into it! It is getting easier 🙂
Kim recently posted..Wine, books, and something about a cockatoo
I’m sure it is hard especially for a mom…think of it as addition by subtraction.
Cranky Old Man recently posted..CHINESE FOOD – a Cranky re-run
I’m a sentimental hoarder too.. guilty as charged. My mum kept some of my childhood dresses and it makes me really very happy to see Lil Pumpkin wearing them, so I too am having a hard time throwing away stuff she has outgrown :/
Ai Sakura recently posted..10 Delicious Kiwifruits Food Ideas #14DaysofZespri
I am totally a sentimental hoarder. My garage is full of stuff we dont really need, but I cant bear to throw out and thats just our old stuff. Once I get to having to cull her stuff Im going to be completely useless. I can see the car wont be in the garage for another few years yet.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Waiting, waiting, waiting….
I have been absolutely ruthless with D’s clothes. I just gave away two garbage bags full of size 2 items and it was D rescuing clothes from it – not me! We really don’t have the room to store lots of stuff though, it’s bad enough I’ve got space bags filled with cloth nappies and some unisex baby clothes just in case.
Kyla @ Three Quarters Full recently posted..Dry July
I used to be like that with clothes too…however, the older my kids get, the more stuff accumulates and holding onto things that don’t fit them anymore just seemed to add to clutter that I can do without. If something is not getting used in the house anymore out it goes…it’s really freeing, far less stressful having a decluttered house and you can actually find things when you need them!
I also used to think, ‘oh this outfit is too nice to give away’ (it still looks new) until I realised that was ridiculous – let someone else’s kids get some wear out of it and so after holding onto them for some time one day I finally bagged them all up and gave them to charity. The way I see it, the photos are all the keepsakes I need. Btw, love the photos of your boys as babies – adorable!
Lynda @ all about mama recently posted..Avoiding the traps of mother guilt, self doubt and inferiority.
What a lovely and understanding husband. I found it so hard to get rid of my children’s baby clothes, seriously – we held onto them for a looooooong time. My eldest daughter was premmie and I didn’t throw anything away for 10 years! Of course, 2 years after donating them we had another baby, so there you go, they should have been kept! With baby number 3 it was so hard to let go of his cot, because it was saying that we are done with having babies. We kept some special things of course, but in the end, it felt great to give them to charity. We gave a lot to the flood appeal, and that made it so much easier.
xx
Lisa Barton-Collins recently posted..Live Theatre for Children – why it is a great idea. Plus a Giveaway!
I find that after a few years of storage the food and spew stains come back and yellow the clothes. I also have the view that there are so many people worse off than me that could actually use the clothes and they would really appreciate them. I keep special things, an outfit from when they were born, anything they have worn to a weddin, a tiny pair of shoes. Fits in one box for all three children.
Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors recently posted..The List #2
I used to be a hoarder, but after four kids the amount of sentimental items was just getting out of hand! Now I keep a memory box for each kids, it has the blankets from the hospital that they were first wrapped in at birth, a special outfit, and yes – the pregnancy tests and belly-button clips too! A friend of mine has kept the actual belly button stump for her boys!
Lisa@Circle of Toast recently posted..Evil Ratbags
With moving into a new way of living we had to get rid of EVERYTHING…..everything but baby clothes. I have them stored in a Plastic Container in our Shipping Container!! One day I want to make a quilt out of the clothes – cut them into shapes and make a quilt to put on our bed so that I can look at the Clothes and remember who wore what 🙂
Mind you I am not good at sewing so I am not sure how to go about it.
Gosh your twins are so cute!
Lisa Wood recently posted..Circus Monoxide Open Day
Sentimental hoarder here!!!! Totally get where you are coming from, my theory is when there is too much, it’s time to buy a bigger house 😉
Hello from #teamIBOT
My rule has been to keep one thing from each size for each child. But now that MissyMoo3 is growing out of some BEAUTIFUL size 1 dresses, I just can’t bear to part with them and I will keep them all. Rules are made to be broken, right?
Francesca recently posted..It Is No Secret – Donna Meehan
Oh Grace, it’s so hard when there are so many memories connected! I try to just keep one of everything, first shoes, clothes she wore home from the hospital etc. But, don’t ask about school work and art, I’m hopeless!!!! xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..A to Z of ZEN. W is for…..
Oh sweeeet post! I do move things along BUT we have a big attic space and lots of my favourite things are up there ‘for the grandkids.’ You can imagine how appalling the teens find this.
They love seeing their baby clothes and toys though, there’s hope yet.
Seana – Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel recently posted..Maroubra Beach Playground, Beach and Skate Park – Sydney’s Best Fenced Playgrounds
I’m with you on the hoarding but not quite so much clothes. I have a few things from Ned’s first year but that’s about it. I have been pretty sentimental about my own old stuff though – CDs, mixed tapes, letters passed around between girlfriends in high school – I can’t bare the thought of losing that stuff!
Beautiful pictures of your young bubs.
V.
Vanessa @ babblingbandit.me recently posted..I must confess: Blogging is starting to contribute to my anxiety
I am a pro culler! I do clean outs all the time, it is very gratifying. I also love knowing that my hand me downs or unwanted gifts etc will go to good homes; there are always people in need. Alternatively, I sell good used things on ebay. There’s always a market for baby clothes!
That said, I have kept a few special baby things for my grandkids. There’s nothing like starting your own family heirlooms 🙂
I haven’t had to cull any baby clothes yet because my 4 month old is wearing them. But I’m sure I will feel exactly like you when the time comes to culling the baby stuff. They grow too quickly.
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Flexible Work Arrangements
That’s funny Grace. I solved that problem by giving them to my sister who finally had a baby girl – i don’t feel the pain giving them to her at all. I’ve kept a few special ones though – we’ll keep them for poppet’s kids 🙂
Kim @ spirited mama recently posted..Dream of running your own business?
I’m totally the same, I have a huge tub of my girl’s favourite clothes from her first 2 years, and I still have EVERY single item they have all worn, the wardrobes are stuff, there is no room in any cupboard, so I think I will cull those old ones, but keep those that have memories for me! Is it true that one twin is always bigger than the other – looks like it in this pic! LOVE seeing the boys as babies x
Emily @ Have a laugh on me recently posted..Five interview questions I’ll be able to nail thanks to death stares, vomiting lunch boxes and five-year-old attitude!
I’ve got a few things, but have moved most on. It was hard, but I’ve had to do it. There are a few things I will always keep though.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..In the Absence of Words #IBOT
I’m a total hoarder & sentimentalist Grace! I would keep everything if it wasn’t for my partner & his need to declutter! I therefore reluctantly have to be ruthless & cull every so often – saving a few precious pieces in a treasures box, but the rest is out the door. Lucky really, for we don’t have the space to keep it all. 🙂
Jodie@FreshHomeCook recently posted..Rainbow Sausage Rolls
I am absolute sentimental hoarder! It’s been really tough over the last two years trying to reduce three junk rooms down to just one and being ruthless in what we keep or chuck, but we have managed. I sorted through Punky’s old clothes the other day and must admit I was getting teary looking at it. Thankfully I am getting the chance to re-use a lot of it with this new bubs, but there is still stuff that this bubs just won’t ever use as she will be out of season, but I couldn’t bring myself to throw any of it out unless it was really badly stained. I don’t know if I’ll be able to throw too much out even after this bubs outgrows it to be honest! But hey, my Mum still has some of my baby clothes 30 years after I wore it so it can’t be all bad. Looking forward to this bubs being able to wear some of it too seeing as we are both winter babies whereas Punky was a summer baby. Your boys will thank you for your sentimental ways in years to come, trust me!
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Determined Toddler and Pregnant Woman Do NOT a Good Combination Make!
OMG the twins are soooooo cute! It is okay to treasure everything that is related to our loved ones, especially our kids. They are precious!!
Rina recently posted..Back to School
How cute were your babies!! I wish I got to have twins! They are just soooo lovely!
I am a shocker. Every time my husband tried to get me to de-clutter baby stuff I would just wind up in tears! Such tiny, little, lovely things…
Inevitably, we’d end up with another baby as the pressure of all those darling little clothes would gnaw at me endlessly until I was happily pregnant with a replacement!
Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted..Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding
I was, now I’m just a crazy ebay lady….not sure why the change came about…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Just for Fun
Lol…I had to laugh at the final photo! I can be a bit of both — generally I’m a sentimental hoarder but then I’ll go through a phase of culling things. I think more than sentimental I try to think I’m practical. Especially with clothes…at one stage I was keeping clothes that were either too big or too small for me…you know, just in case I put on or lose weight again! A few months ago I just got rid of them all…some to charity, some not great ones in the bin and some to sell. I have some sentimental stuff still hoarded at my parents’ place…will have to be ruthless when I visit them in India the next time. Sigh.
Psych Babbler recently posted..The Sounds of Silence
I understand the hoarder mentality. I’ve always been a memorabilia hoarder. Its so special to be able to hold something small like a little bootie or a baby onesie and be flooded with emotions. It involves so many senses – to be able to touch, smell, and see a little of our past. It’s just too lovely to give away!
I am a bit of both. I can’t stand clutter, but the emotional attachment is so compelling.
I just try to think of the kids who can’t afford this stuff themselves and what they will get out of them. Giving on love 🙂
Becc
Becc recently posted..I took the Plunge – Part 1
Yep, I am a hoarder, non-culler too! It’s funny what you said about scents…hows this for a story….one Mother’s Day ( I wouldve been about 16) I bought my ma some perfume (Anais Anais Cacharel) with my hard-earned pocket money (shampoo chick at the hair salon and a French tutor / after-school nanny :). When she opened it, she burst into tears. She asked me why I chose that perfume. I told her the truth ‘ “theres something about this scent that reminds me of you”…she then told me she hadn’t worn that perfume since she was breastfeeding me!!! So, hold on I say, for its not just your memories, but Im sure one day for your boys too 🙂 Mwah! xx Maddy
Maddy (@mummawoosah) recently posted..Mummawoosah confessions:”I am a try-hard”
Hmmm, I seem to be a bit bipolar when it comes to culling. On some occasions, I am like no way in hell are we getting rid of anything. Let’s just build a bigger house. On other occasions, I am want to chuck it all. I have moved ALOT in the last 10 years, so I am getting better at it. Meanwhile, that pic of the boys in NICU is precious.
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Three things I have learned from my three-year-old
I’m the same totally crap at throwing things away.As a result we spent far too much money than we needed to on shipping ridiculous things that I didnt want to get rid of over from the Uk.
rhian @melbs recently posted..I just miss you.
It’s impossible!!! I am the worst! I eventually threw some of Miss H’s baby clothes out (after lots of nagging) and then guess what happened three years later??? Miss L arrived – even though we had said, there will be NO more! I wish I could have said – “see I told you so” to Mr D xx
Robyn (Mrs D) recently posted..The day I met Brad Pitt………..in my pyjamas
Thanks for the new button, I did wonder what had happened to the old one!
Mine are 16 and nearly 13 now. I have three large plastic boxes in the garage full of memorabilia and am heading towards number 4 – so no, I wouldn’t say I was all that great at ruthless culling either 🙂
I’m glad you got to keep what you wanted to, that’s great! I have been lucky enough to have some gorgeous things from my mum (that I and my siblings wore) and even from my grandmother and one thing from my great grandmother, for my baby daughter! So there is really some great value in keeping little mementos – the memories and the feeling of family is so amazing. I am lucky enough to be able to only keep a few things and I can throw things away or give them away – after a while of holding on, anyway!
Emily recently posted..Happy Birthday Pumpkin!
I’m having the same issues *sob*
Trish recently posted..Master Chocolate Cupcake Class ~ RedBalloon
Oh, Grace…it gets easier – you just gotta start from the beginning. I keep nothing – but pictures. So if my computer dies, I’m screwed.
Nami recently posted..Be Yourself
Terrific post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Appreciate it!
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