Thursday, September 3, 2009

The End of an Era

For the past decade in the corner of our living room has set this lovely basket, a gift from my mother-in-law. It has been there dutifully containing all things needed for changing diapers. The sound of its lid dropping is as familiar as the sound of the door closing. By my estimation it's opened about six times a day and then shut again.


Lately, the basket has been a bit neglected. Big John has nearly completed his training. I have to admit that after nearly thirteen years of changing little pants, I am a bit saddened by the whole thing. There's just something precious about those little legs and dimpled bottoms that I'm going to miss. But in another way it is a time of celebration. Independence. Growth. An important phase of training completed.

I woke up Sunday afternoon from my nap to quite a surprise! The basket was packed for its first
official picnic. The kids had done it all themselves- sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and even fresh baked cookies.
Many people comment what it relief it must be to no longer have to buy diapers. Honestly, it's been a strain at times to purchase diapers month after month. I'm figuring we have spent $7000-$8000 on diaper supplies through the years. But you know what? There's no price tag for the songs that have been sung, the trust that has been built, the bellies that have been tickled and the toes that have been kissed through the simple act of changing a diaper. Those moments are priceless.

10 comments:

Duckygirl said...

Part of me longs for that day and part of me is SO with you on the tickles and cute chubby legs part.

Way to go John! :)

~Laura

Heather L. said...

Very exciting for John! :) Your diaper basket was such a good idea. And how wonderful for the kids to prepare a picnic!

Aaron Tague said...

I am celebrating your giant success with you! Yeah! You have certainly trained your kids well. . . they thought of everything for a picnic, which if even better when you don't have to pack it!

Monica said...

That is very exciting!! I will be a bit sad when that time comes. I really love changing diapers. Not the diaper part, but the connection you make with the precious little ones :)
~What a great way to make memories and celebrate with a picnic lunch!~

Michelle said...

So, so, so sweet! Oh how precious! Brings back fond memories of kissing chubby feet.

Saralyn said...

All good things must come to an end? Now it's on to bigger and better things. Enough of the cliches, already! It is a different kind of lovely family when all the kids are "big kids." Next year comes another mile stone for us: it will be our first year without any type of car seat.

Congratulations!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

You have me in tears over diapers :)

Bittersweet for sure. What a great group of kids!

Tara said...

Congratulations! We're out of diapers here, too after nearly 9 years. (Still have 2 in pullups at night, but that too shall pass.) Any suggestions for night training that doesn't involve traipsing upstairs and down with a comatose child?

Angie said...

That's a lot of diapers! What a fun change-up for the basket - proud of your kids for thinking of it! They are so sweet...

Harry said...

Hi all of you,
First of all, I'm almost crying my eyes out, listening to these wonderful posts on my talking computer.
My name is Harry, and to the wonderful woman who said "I love changing diapers", I thank God you feel that way! I can't tell ya how that touches my soul.
Ya see folks, I have a ministry to parents of bed wetting children/teens, and to parents of unpotty trained children. I don't get paid for this either. I can do this because I know what they feel, because both were hell for me, a living nightmare. But, I'm not angry that I was abused physically and emotionally for wetting the bed when I was little, and really, it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I forgave my mom for doing it, and now I help thousands of parents out there, via the computer and sometimes, the phone as well, for free. I have a bed wetting and a potty training packet I have sent out to many, all over the world. I just want to say to you mommies, you're doing the most important job in the world, even though you don't get paid, but you do, in nonfinancial ways. I have to wear diapers and rubber pants to bed at night due to a birth defect, and I have much trouble putting them on at bed time, because, I can't see. Now many blind people can do that kind of thing for their children, but I can't do it for myself here. I hope to get married to a wonderful compassionate woman, and we will do either daycare, or, overnight care, or, we will foster and possibly, adopt bed wetting children/teens, or, kids who aren't potty trained.
God has already shown me that this woman will have to be a very compassionate woman, because of the care I and any babies or children we care for, will need. I will give her all the emotional support, for sure!
God bless you all, once again, and thank you all for being out here on the web. I celebrate motherhood and fatherhood. There is no more important thing a man or woman can do in this world, that is FOR SURE!!!
Harry