Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

Go play with that stick

May13

While they don’t receive less love, second children do sort of get the shaft when it comes to energy and stuff.  I spent lots of time shopping for Sabrina’s clothes and toys.

I bought most things on sale but I had a job so I was more able financially to buy all sorts of pretty little dresses.  I took photos of her in almost every single outfit.  I changed her clothes several times a day just to dress her in another pretty frock.  Tessa stayed in sleepers almost all winter.  Why put her in a cute outfit if we weren’t going anywhere (and with 2 little ones, we didn’t go many places).  Her wardrobe consists of hand-me-downs and consignment sale finds.

I bought Sabrina a huge lot of baby toys on Ebay.  After seeing Sabrina largely ingnore those toys, Tessa’s toys are often things like a bottle lid and odd things that were Sabrina’s. Or is Sabrina is napping, Tessa takes the opportunity to play with all of her things. (Don’t tell Sabrina – she would never sleep again.)

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Sabrina’s “toy box” is a pretty wicker basket I used to use for throw blankets.  Tessa’s “toy box”:

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There is one thing that Tessa has that Sabrina never did.  When Sabrina was at the age of dropping things over the side of her high chair just to watch them fall, we had a 3 strikes rule.  We would pick things up 3 times and then they stayed on the floor.  Tessa has the luxury of a someone who is happy to pick up toys forever:

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posted under parenting
12 Comments to

“Go play with that stick”

  1. On May 13th, 2009 at 6:07 pm Laura Williams Says:

    I am in big trouble because my first child’s toybox isn’t quite as nice as Tessa’s… Who knows what I will come up with for the second child.

  2. On May 13th, 2009 at 6:24 pm Alleen Says:

    Toybox?????

  3. On May 13th, 2009 at 7:17 pm Martha Says:

    Your girls are just so squishably cute!

  4. On May 14th, 2009 at 4:42 am Heather Says:

    Too cute! There are more perks too being second, I’m sure, but that Sabrina will pick up Tessa’s dropped objects forever is too cute!

  5. On May 14th, 2009 at 5:12 am mama k Says:

    Love the “toy box” haha

    I can already see how the second baby is going to get the shaft. We didn’t find out the gender so I have like no clothes if it’s a girl. I picked up a couple gender neutral outfits at the thrift store and I know the grandparents will go shopping if it’s a girl, but nothing like the preparation I had last time. If it’s a boy, hand-me-downs all the way.

  6. On May 14th, 2009 at 1:05 pm Diana Says:

    Great post. Too cute..especially the last pic about the toy retriever. So true!!!

  7. On May 14th, 2009 at 4:02 pm Eva Says:

    OMG! They are getting so big! and more Beautiful everyday of course!
    The last pic is just adorable!
    I (first child) still pick up my sister’s messes everytime! :s

  8. On May 14th, 2009 at 4:59 pm Dana Says:

    I love this post. I have learned that most of what you think you need to take care of a baby is so excessive and not necessary at all. A friend told me this but I had to find out for myself. You should see my basement, full of things I barely used for Serena and tons of used stuff friends gave me that I never used.(they emptied their basements and filled mine) I think a huggies toy box does the job and I’m quite sure it doesn’t matter to Tessa. Your posts are so funny!

  9. On May 14th, 2009 at 7:05 pm Bobbi Says:

    Hey, poor Reese is the third! He definitely gets the shaft on energy level, but in my defense, that is partly his fault he is much more active than the girls did!

    Tessa is adorable, no matter what she wears. What a great sister to pick all the toys up for her.

    LOVE Sabrina’s shirt!! That is one adorable little girl

  10. On May 14th, 2009 at 7:54 pm Tam Says:

    Wow! They are getting so big. Beautiful as always!

  11. On May 16th, 2009 at 7:42 am Merlot Says:

    I don’t know… We only have one (and it will probably always be 1) and that’s pretty much what we have.

  12. On May 21st, 2009 at 4:18 am sig Says:

    Toys? Toybox? Hailey has a shoebox to throw around….