Yes The End. of what? Of an Era in my life. A pretty big one too. But first let me tell you about the present.
Today my mom bought me a present. She got me the cutest new purse. (she doesn't know it yet) Thanks Mom for the Christmas money!! Anyway, its black (no shocker there), somewhat stylish, and its "medium" sized, and it hangs on my shoulder. Its very light, and leather, and has a cute lining inside of it. None of this sounds strange, other than the fact that I haven't used one in a long time. And when i say a long time, I mean....not in a very.....long......time!
Why? well, because Ive been carrying a diaper bag for the last 8 1/2 years thats why. And all of us mommies know, that a diaper bag, no matter how cute it is (and there are so many cute ones out there now) its still a diaper bag. They are always BIG and BULKY and my husband never wants to carry it. Or my kids, but thats because its usually as big as they are.
My first diaper bag was black too. Considering I had just stopped working as an architect, i got one that looked like my former attache case. It could've passed as a briefcase and it lasted about a week. Then i got one from the hospital after i had my first-born, but it ripped pretty quick and then it was done. Then i had this cute red one. It was a sling backpack type style and i remember it not only because it was the ONLY bag my husband ever would also carry, but because i just found a part to it the other day. (what memories I had holding that!)
With my second child, I tried something new. I had a backpack. It was camouflaged because I was having a boy and learned how beneficial it was to have a bag both parents could(or would) carry. It was just too small, and annoying, and got really wet one day with a leaking bottle. I never could get that smell out- so it was trashed. Ive tried all kinds since: the floral quilted look, the kid backpack, the mommy messenger bag, the water-proof, spill-proof, puke-proof bag (newsflash: its NOT!) the Land End monogrammed bag, and the "trying to be hip" Skip Hop bag. (in brown and pink because my next child was a girl!)
All this to say, Ive tried them all. Well, all except for the outrageously expensive bags that are very popular now. I'm sorry but I'm NOT spending $250 on a diaper bag. I'm just not.
And, I don't have to anymore! Which leads me to my End of an Era. I have officially retired my diaper bag. It took me about an hour to go through it today, cleaning out all kinds of junk and gunk. But boy did it feel good to go through it! A little sad, yes, but in a good way. Out with the old and in with the new, but treasuring the memories along the way. What did i find in my diaper bag Ive used of the past year? Well since you're dying to know....here are just SOME of the treasures:
4 gum wrappers
a half eaten lollipop, saved back in its wrapper
4 lipsticks
about 10 petrified raisins
an expired coupon from 2009
9 pens/pencils
my old business card
a small stuffed pony
1 AA battery
3 hair bows
a pair of kid socks
a lone straw to a drink box
1 Chuck E Cheese token
a really old grocery list
a photo of Will and I in Mexico from 2006 (I'm still savoring the memory)
a lost earring
old church bulletin
Diego toy i don't recognize(where did this come from??? someones waiting room i guess?)
crayons
And this was in addition to the typical stuff, like diapers, my wallet, phone, etc...
So as an early Christmas present to myself, I have decided to make The Change. Ill still have to keep a few diapers on hand, either in the car or packed in a small bag for Cori at co-op, but in all the day to day outings I can be diaper-free. Its strange, not to be carrying my over sized security bag everywhere, but I'm ready for a little lighter load and to return to the land of regular purse- carrying women. I celebrated by going out tonight with Will, and my new bag!
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