The kids’ grandparents are coming to visit this week so it seemed like a good time to clean their rooms. Not much to do in THAT BABY’S room but No. 2 and The Girl had a lot. Hubby cleaned up No.2’s room but left hers for me. I looked and left. It was a disaster. I took a deep breath, called her in and we started.
Some stuff just needed to be thrown away. Some stuff she wanted to keep and out of what she didn’t want, I decided what to toss, donate and save for myself. But, when it came time for the dolls, well, I just wasn’t prepared for what was to come.
The Girl has been getting older lately. I don’t know when it started, but suddenly, she wants to choose her own clothes, brush her own hair, and make her own decisions. The one she made today just about killed me. When we got to putting away the dolls, she told me I could get rid of the baby dolls. She didn’t want them anymore, they were for babies. It was all I could do to not tell her that she was a baby, my baby, and there was no way in hell I was getting rid of those dolls. Instead I asked if she was sure and she said she was. I took the pink tub with her baby dolls and put it in my room. We finished cleaning up her room and she went downstairs to watch tv.
The night went along as usual-arguing, playing, eating, yelling, getting ready for bed, yelling, sleeping. But I couldn’t get those baby dolls off my mind. So, instead of going to bed, I cleaned out the tub. I folded all the little clothes, matched up the shoes. And thought about my Baby Doll.
About bringing her home from the hospital (we have a picture coming in the door with her.) About staying in California so we could continue to see the heart doctor to make sure the holes closed (they did.) About car trips, learning to walk, going to preschool, becoming a big sister (twice), losing teeth, still believing in Santa, still sometimes letting me brush her hair.
I could never understand when people would say that it goes by so fast until I had my own kids. I always thought it just took forever. Now, it’s a blink. One minute you are holding a baby in your arms, the next, you are putting away the baby dolls. I cried a little bit when I cleaned out that bin. I suppose it didn’t help that “Toy Story 3” was on earlier. Damn movie kills me.
So, now the bin is clean, the clothes are folded and the babies are lying there, waiting for their next mommy. I have to look for one missing green sock and a purple slipper. Then I can put the lid on and take the bin downstairs. I guess it’s time to fold up the stroller and changing table, too. Sigh, sniff.
But, I did see her brushing her American Girl doll’s hair earlier. And someday, she’ll brush the hair of her own little girl. And that baby will get the bin. And I’ll have one more chance to play baby dolls with my Baby Doll.
chickenfickle 