Boy Stuff

Being that I am such a girl, it's not a stretch that I understand, and wholly embrace, Eloise's preference for all things girly. I totally get her love of dresses that twirl and tutus that pouf, high heels and accessories, since these are all things that I enjoy as an adult. But dressing a boy, this is uncharted territory. I am not one of those parents who leaves their babies in a sleeper for the first year of their life for a few reasons. First, don't you think it's a little undignified to have to go everywhere in what you sleep in? And second, I always want to know, do parents who dress their kids exclusively in sleepers put them to bed in the same thing they have worn to the park or grocery store or Science World? Outside germs do not belong inside beds.

The biggest difference I'm learning with dressing a boy is that there just aren't the same number of options as there are for girls. And with this new experience of boy dressing I am awfully thankful that my girlfriend Sarah set aside most of the clothing she had for her little guy, Jude, who is a year and a half older than Spencer. Sarah works in fashion and Jude is basically the best dressed baby you have ever seen, so I feel very fortunate to have his hand-me-downs. I always teased Sarah that hers was the only baby who wore denim shirts with printed leggings but now that's us. And I must say, Spencer wears chambray well.

Through Sarah's styling of Jude I've learned that cardigans are essential, tailored sweats look great with a button down, boys need accessories and metallics are a do. Spencer's rapid growth means I'm not going to get by 100% on hand-me-downs, so here are some favourite items we will continue to replace as our Butterball gets bigger.

{baby gap}

{zara}

{baby gap}

{h&m}

{h&m}

Growth Spurt

A girl and her shoes.

I've been on a cleaning and organizational rampage lately, prompted by Eloise's recent growth spurt. It started with her closet and has spread to toys and baby items we are no longer using. When I look back on the amount of stuff we've accumulated for Eloise in less than two years it's almost embarrassing. How can someone so small go through so much? True some of it was borrowed, but four tubs of clothing and diapers are only the beginning. There is also an infant car seat, bassinet, bouncer, bumbo, breast pump, blankets, burp cloths, slings and carriers ... all items that we will not need again until there is a newborn in the house. I am only comforted by the fact that everyone around me is pregnant (Seriously. I have seven friends expecting this spring) and will be able to pass on some of Eloise's things until we're ready for baby number two. Come on baby girls!

Now about that growth spurt.

Over night Eloise has gotten longer. Her arms and legs extend beyond her shirt sleeves and pants and her once tiny feet have grown a full size in just a few weeks. This recent growth spurt and the change of seasons has left her with nothing to wear and I can't help but feel a little sad as I pack away shoes worn only a few times and all of her pretty, but impractical, summer dresses. I took advantage of a sale on gap.com over the weekend and am eagerly anticipating the arrival of a drop-waist leopard rain coat and a bunch of new tops and pants. Shoes are another story and we now have exactly two pairs that fit. Looking back on the collection of we've accumulated it looks like I may want to use a little restraint now that Eloise is growing so much, but I did find a pair of chocolate brown Uggs for the winter that would look pretty cute with leopard jeggings ...