When we all met up at the weekend to celebrate Finley's 2nd birthday, (see yesterday's post if you missed it), my ex-husband Pete very thoughtfully brought with him a bag full of both our sons early things, he wanted me to have them now.
Special things like the cards we received when each of them was born, the little shoes that they both learned to walk in, both size 4, both blue. Their earliest colourings, drawings and writings from school and lots of other little special bits and pieces.
For me the absolute star of the bag of goodies were these two hand-knitted jumpers. Knitted by my Nana, because she knew that Simon loved to be dressed like his little brother, but with one just a little bit more grown-up and fancier than the other. At almost 90 years of age she raided her wool stash and came up with the design for these two little slip overs. Funnily enough I was only thinking of these a few weeks ago and feeling sorry that they had 'gone'
Then last night Jason sent me this photo from his baby album of the two of them modelling them at home.
They were both as thrilled to see them as I was to receive them, and they stirred lots of happy memories.
He also included this lovely little blue cardigan that my Mum made when Simon was born, and that both boys wore as babies. Aren't hand knitted items so precious for babies and small children. 💙
Sue xx
Those are little treasures to keep! I'm so glad they were kept and given back to you. I saved all the handknit and crocheted items that my daughter received as a baby and most of the dresses my mother sewed for her. They are in a suitcase and I will let her decide what she wants to do with them.
ReplyDeleteIt was really good of him to have kept them, and to have protected them from his second wife. I went through everything with my son when he gave us a lift home after our lunch, and he has agreed to be the next custodian of family 'treasures'.
DeleteSome talented knitters in your family. I still have a little smocked dress and ditto rompers that my NZ friend Rosie made (the knitted baby cardi she knitted got too sicked on to keep).
ReplyDeleteMy Nana was obviously a very talented lady to have knitted those at that age, the stitches are all perfect. Mum was very good at following patterns. I do not seem to have inherited the knitting gene fromo either side of the family!! ;-)
DeleteThey are gorgeous. Wonderful that they have come back to you! Maeve xx
ReplyDeleteYes, it's lovely to have them back. I'm taking some things to show to Mum when we visit this week. :-)
DeleteWhat treasures! Liz has suggested that she pass on some of my handmade dresses to a little niece, now Ro and Jess have grown out of them. I like that idea
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful idea. xx
DeleteIt's lovely to have these heirlooms.
ReplyDeleteIt really is, I was thrilled when I went through the bag when we got home.
DeleteHow lovely to have those things back. Good too, and somewhat unusual I think, to still be on good terms with your ex.
ReplyDeleteOops sorry it's Sooze x
DeleteIt's great having them back. :-)
DeleteWe were married for 26 years, then I left him, he knew he was in the wrong. We remained friends until he married his second wife and she actually re-wrote our family history and he believed her. Then over the next 3 years she re-mortgaged our family home three times, spent all the money, kicked him out and defaulted on the mortgage and ran off with someone else. He had to pay off all the debts that she had put in his name, try to sell a completely stripped and trashed house, and rebuild his life from scratch. He is now in a very good place in his life and greatly admires Alan which means that family events are a great place for us all to get together with no hard feelings. I am actually proud of what he has accomplished.
Thanks, it's always good to have a name. :-)
DeleteThey're lovely. It's made me feel a bit guilty as most of our 3's baby clothes were sold at a car boot to raise cash!! I've saved some special bits & pieces - eg. shawl (that used to be mine), a couple of cardigans, a romper suit or two - but that's about it. None of my grown up children want them either so they'll have to discard them when they get to clear out after we've gone!!
ReplyDeleteOh we sold lots of their things over the years to finance the next stage the boys were at. We bought second hand and sold on, over and over, clothes, toys and equipment. It's nice to have a couple of things, so you never know their minds might change when they no longer have you around. My boys have changed a lot now that they are 38 and 44. They actually love it that I still call them 'the boys' ... so I can still get away with it. ;-)
DeleteThat's such a lovely surprise for you. I have an old wooden chest that has a few things from the time my son was a baby. Including a little hand made cardigan I made him. They do stir up old memories and emotions don't they. Just recently I met up with an old friend whose daughter is now nearing her 40s. My friend produced a very fancy cardigan I made for said daughter. The fact that my friend had kept it was very sweet as It obviously meant something to her.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice matching the jumpers up with the photos we have, that seemed to be special for my sons. How lovely that your friend had kept the cardigan that you made. I'm taking the little jumpers and the cardigan that Mum made, to show her on our next visit, hopefully it will stir some memories for her.
DeleteI use my ‘old’ knitting patterns to keep the memories alive. Grandchildren have had similar cardigans & jumpers to those their parents wore and now I’m doing the same for the next generation.
ReplyDeleteIt’s been fun comparing the ‘new versions’ with the ones parents were wearing in photos.
That is a lovely idea. I love seeing modern babies in proper romper suits, Babygro's or lovingly hand-knitted cardigans and hats. There's too much of a rush these days to get them in miniature adult clothing and shoes.
DeleteSuch lovely memories. I've seen some baby clothes framed under glass - intricate matinee jackets in particular look like pieces of art.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Some can be absolutely exquisite can't they, but happily mine were just made to be worn, washed and now taken out and admired over and over.
DeleteHow lovely to be able to all meet up to enjoy family get togethers and thoughtful to bring such precious memories. I’m sure the boys really appreciated everyone being adults. June x
ReplyDeleteThey do, although one son will not meet up his Dad if it's not in a group setting. That's his right, and I respect that.
DeleteWhat treasures! Your Nana and your mother must have been very good knitters.
ReplyDeleteI have two boys (now men) and I saved the hand knit items that my mother and my mother in law knit for them. My Mother in law knot a beautiful christening gown edged in angora and my mother knot the shawl that went with it. I hope one day if I have a grandchild they will be able to wear it.
Marilyn
It's lovely to save such family treasures isn't it. ❤️
DeleteLovely knitted garments. I really like the leaves on the little blue cardigan. Sue in Derbyshire
ReplyDeleteThat was a very adventurous knit for my Mum. I had a matching pram blanket too. 💙
DeleteI knit for my coworkers. They always chose the "vintage" patterns (aka the stuff we knit for our kids). They pick the colours. The old patterns look good in soft grey, navy, hunter green.
ReplyDeleteThe traditional patterns really are the best aren't they. ❤️
DeleteThose are lovely...it is nice to read some of your backstory and that all came good in the end and everyone is doing okay and gets along. Happy Birthday to the little one.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I shared too much, I don't know. 🤔 Anyway he had a good birthday weekend. 💙
DeleteI have all the little sweaters that my mom knit for our children and one day I will divide them between the boys. Precious memories.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Aww, that's lovely. ❤️ Most of the ones we had were worn and washed so many times between both boys, that wouldn't really have been worth saving.
Delete