When I was a little girl, I used to love looking through my Raggedy Ann baby book. My mom had recorded every last detail of my infancy and early childhood in its pages. My favorite thing about the book was a small pouch inside where she had tucked away little keepsakes like our hospital bracelets.
Both of my kids have keepsake boxes where I’ve stored all kinds of little things. By the time Annabeth was 6 weeks old, hers was already almost full!
There are a few things that won’t fit in the boxes that I’m safeguarding for them. For instance, here’s a letter from President George W. Bush that welcomed Jackson to the world shortly after his birth.
(That’s no longer our address.)
And Annabeth just received this autographed book by former First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna.
I have a close friend who worked for President Bush during his administration, which is how both of these gifts came about. (I think these are really special keepsakes that my children will one day enjoy having, but I need to emphasize that I’m not trying to make a political statement by sharing these pictures.)
A couple of Christmases ago, Mom gave me a big box of my baby clothes that she had saved for me. I’ve had so much fun going through them!
I love this itty bitty t-shirt.
Annabeth wasn’t even a twinkle in our eyes when Mom gave me all these clothes. It never occurred to me that I would play dress up with my own daughter in these clothes one day. Mark it down – April 16, 2009 was the day!
Here’s my sweetie in a tiny pink dress that my grandmother bought me almost – gulp – 30 years ago. Isn’t she sweet?
What keepsakes are you saving for your children or future children? Or what keepsakes were saved for you?
*Bethie asked me to add a quick prayer request to my post. Tomorrow morning she is heading Portland, Oregon, for this weekend’s Living Proof Live event. Houston is supposed to have thunderstorms tomorrow, so will you please pray that her flight will be on time? Thanks, Siestas!
What a precious smile your baby girl has!
your sweet lil thing is precious!! i saved some special pieces of clothing, from my children, and so far one of them has dressed up every stuffed animal she could find, the other..well its just not Hollister..
thanks for sharing your pics! will be praying for MamaBeth as she travels to Portland…I am jealous..I absolutely love Oregon!!
My mom saved my baby ring and many clothes like your mom. One of the dresses is much like the one Annabeth is wearing that was yours. What is neat, a lady gave my daughter one almost just like it (she had no idea about mine) so my daughter wore hers and mine. I have pictures of her in many of my hand-me-downs. She is 21 now and I have saved some of her things but didn’t do as good a job as my mom did.
Richelle – TN
I think the dress is adorable!
The only things we have from our childhood are a stuffed bear (mine) and a stuffed lion (my husband’s). I wish I had more, but with all the moving and downsizing that has happened in our family in the last 10 years… some things had to be let go.
If nothing else, my daughter will have my blog to commemorate her childhood. And maybe a few outfits if I can overcome my urges to declutter. 🙂
My oldest weighed in at 2 pounds. This was 20 years ago. I had to buy doll clothes because they didn’t have many preemie clothes at the time. So…I made his clothes! They were so tiny. I did a lot of sewing while he was at Children’s Hospital. His box is full of lots of handmade TINY Hawaiin shirts. I guess I thought I would take him to a luau? What can I say? The fabric was beautiful. It blows everyone’s mind now. A six foot twenty year old who wore Cabbage Patch doll clothes and luau shirts!
Tell Bethie to put some hairspray in her purse–she’s gonna need it 🙂
Jan
I have a keepsake box for my 3 year old son and so far I’ve kept a few finger painting he’s done at MDO along with a pacifier (which was his lovey for the first 2 years), a pair of shorts that he wore that were also my husband’s (so they’re 34 years old!) along with his coming home outfit. Of course his baby book has our hospital bracelets, the first lock of hair, the “glasses” he wore while under the lights for jaundice, etc.
My mom saved several important toys and dolls from when I was a baby/child, a baby blanket, and the dress I was baptized in when I was 6. My baby book has the usual things in it as well.
I love the letter and book that you have saved for your kids!
Will be praying!!!
Amanda you are so fortunate to have those clothes.
I read a story years ago about a life time missionary who was on his death bed with his children surrounding him. His words to them were “I don’t have anything to give you because I gave it all to Jesus a long time ago.” That brought tears to my eyes then as it does now.
I don’t have much in material things to give my children. But I pass Jesus on to them.
Oh good grief, that little girl is cute! We got special cards from President George W. Bush for our little guys too, but they were probably just the kind they send out to everyone who sends the White House the birth announcements of their children!! I love it! Blessings…
I’ll be praying for Mama Beth! And I’ll be one of the siestas in the crowd in Portland!!
I had a great idea years ago for saving our kids precious clothing. I keep all their special outfits in a large bin, and I plan on presenting them with a quilt made from them when they graduate!
I will be praying! Also, my mom kept some baby clothes of mine and I used to love to dress my cabbage patch dolls in them…I was also a dancer/gymnast and she kept some of my old leotards and costumes from that packed away…I hope to one day dress my little ones in them! I am going to work at a children’s home in Romania so maybe there will be some budding gymnast there that will want them!
Blessings to Beth for a wonderful Spirit filled weekend!
I have my dad’s bible, who passed away almost 10 yrs ago. He had massive notes marked all over and charts he had done up. In fact, I have a file cabnet full of of his studies. I refer to them alot and they mean so much. He had saved all his notes from bible college impecible organized into books that I have used to get my own education. It’s priceless.
Don’t you dare, gulp 30 years old; I just turned 30 on the 4th and I am stoked. I think Annabeth loves her dress, with her little smirk.
(Beth smirk!)
My mom pretty much saved most of my baby clothes and shoes, along with my doll collection of dolls from around the world (My fav, two from czechoslovakia, I thought I was pretty special b/c I could pronounce czechoslovakia).
But what I am saving is a onsie I tye-dyed for a baby shower gift and after packing up the different colored onesies, I noticed there was one left over in the prettiest pink and I said, “that’s for my girl!”
Thanks for sharing about the gifts, I think it was wonderfully generous and kind of the former President and First Lady to give a gift at all. I don’t want to know that my president is perfect, I just want to know that he does the best he can.
Blessings in Him, who is Awesome and wonderful,
Siesta OC
We have “married boxes” in our home…boxes they will get after their wedding. They are filled with pictures, various school projects, the shoes my daughter won her first race in, and the outfit our 18-month old boy was wearing when he became our son.
What we talk about most, however, are the Christmas ornaments. Each year each child gets an ornament to represent the year and the date is written on it. Each child knows their first Christmas tree after marriage will be filled with an ornament from each year of their life (barring theft or fire). We talk about it every year as we decorate the tree.
(If marriage doesn’t occur for an older child, of course they can receive their box at another special time :))
Atlanta, GA
Prayers for you! Portland needs you to present God’s truth to them! If you touch their lives even partly as much as you have touched the lives of the women at FBC in Owasso, Oklahoma, with your Esther study, that area will be transformed!
Blessing!
Annabeth is DARLING! The dress looks brand new and very special on that precious baby. I will absolutely pray for your sweet mom’s flight to be safe and on time.
Jackie
Lake Charles
When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer my Mom and he each filled out books that asked questions about their life. My Dad was 60 years older than I and so much of his life happened before I arrived on the scene. So, this book helped fill me in on things I never knew and that he didn’t have a chance to tell me before he passed away. If you can, you should all do this for your kids! It will mean A LOT!
Hey Amanda,
I have a piece of advice. My mom had kept all of my stuff as well, and I cherished every bit of it. However, my parents house burned down and it’s all gone so put it in a fire proof box. Seriously, you think it won’t happen to you but I wish my mom would have put my stuff in a fireproof box.
Jera
Aww, my mom just gave me a pair of my baby shoes that I once wore. Luckily they’re brown leather so I can put them on my 6 month old son and he won’t look too “girly”!
Praying for Momma Beth’s journey. I have my ballet shoes from a recital when I was 6 years old.I tinkled all over my tutu on stage and the whole family still laughs about it. For my 15 month old son, I have his Mickey Mouse “First Haircut” mouse ears from the Harmony Barber Shop at Magic Kingdom…so fun!
I have a plastic container stored away in the basement with blankets from my children and some from even when I was a baby (more than 40 years) ago. I love the smell and feel of baby blankets!! We also have the little Gerber baby spoons that we have passed down from me, to my children and then someday to my grandchildren. And a whole box of other little shirts.
Thanks for the memories.
Kim
What a cutie pie Annabeth is in that pretty dress! So cute…
Each of our two kids has a box of keepsakes, probably the typical stuff. But there is one neat thing we did for our son. We have a very large black and white photo (11″x14″ or larger) of my husband, taken when he was about 4 months old. My mother-in-law had saved that particular outfit, and so when our son, James, was about 4 months old, we dressed him in the outfit, propped him up in the recliner next to the black and white photo of dad, and took another photo. It’s really neat to see them side by side, at the same age, in the same outfit!
And yes, I will be praying big time for the LPL event in Portland!
Blessings,
Adrienne
I have all sorts of keepsakes tucked away for my four kids, and have some that will be tucked away when they are done being used. Star wars toys galore. (they are still being used) Rescue Heros, Dolls,and Barbies,and one of my faves, my oldest daughters Fisher Price little people house. And yes clothes that I could not part with, they were so cute in those.
My mother has kept all my dolls, (from the 60’s-70’s) they are in excellent condition, and my girls each have one of them. I never liked my dolls messed up.
Anybody remember Velvet?
Becky/Brentwood
HI Amanda,
My mother saved our pictures in a Raggedy Ann scrapbook, too! I still enjoy looking at those pictures. She also got a baby shoe silvered that belonged to each of her 3 children and displayed these on a marble-top table in her living room! I have 2 wonderful sons, 28 and 22. I kept detailed baby books for my sons, too. I wanted them both to match, and the boys were born 6 years apart. A very special friend found the one for my second baby, and I will never forget it. In addition to the baby books, tons of photos, cards, Bible school crafts, special articles of clothing, and artwork, some very special keepsakes have been the journals that my sons each wrote and continued to write when they entered kindergarten. You have that treasure to look forward to!
I am praying for safe travel for your mother and another glorious event. I was in New Orleans April 3-4 and am still so full from having been there.
I enjoyed your Easter pictures, by the way- what an adorable family!
Love,
Fran
This is going to sound like a church answer, but it’s the only answer I have. I am saving all the Bibles my mom and dad have used over the years. They are filled with notes taken from sermons and Bible studies. I have four children, and they are each getting one when it’s time.
Steph
It’s funny you have books as keepsakes. My family loves to read and loves books. My oldest son recently said that his favorite smells were fresh paper and fresh coffee – together! Needless to say, we’re bookstore groupies.
Over the past few years, my sister and I have attended the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. We now take one of our children each time we go (a special treat when it is your turn!) We get there bright and early to meet children’s book authors and obtain their autographs. We also go to regional book festivals that often bring up-and-coming authors. My children will inherit a wonderful collection of autographed copies of children’s books. The books currently sit on a special shelf which holds our signed books. This has been a fun thing to collect for my boys.
Oh, I loved this post! What special keepsakes from the former President and first Lady, as well as from your own childhood. Your little girl sure did look mighty cute in your dress! I bet your mom just had a fit!
I have baby books and keepsake boxes that I’ve been keeping for my 2. My mom did the same for me, and I cherish it to this day!
You asked what keepsakes I am keeping for my kids… Well that is hard to answer because all 5 of my kids are adopted, the youngest being adopted at the age of three. But I really wanted to share something that my husband did recently. Our oldest was 7 when we adopted her and her sister four years ago from and orphange in Ukraine. She asked that this Sunday she be baptised at church. So my husband made this beautiful music video for her that commerates where she came from and that God was with her from the very beginning. She was really touched by that! And I humbled that God choose me to be her mother.
what a fun post and annabeth is adorable in that little dress! i love her smile! my 10 month old son has two little teddy bears and a little frog contraption which were his dad’s. i hope my parents can scrounge up some of my girly things if we’re blessed with a girl in the future. i love that “manda” shirt! i had a little tshirt with my name on it when i was teeny tiny too.
My Mom saved my baby ring for me and a piece of my hair. I’ve given each of my kids at their high school graduation a Bible that I used. I’ve kept a few of their toys for them to pass on to their kids–especially ones that were handmade in the Philippines.
Annabeth sure has a sweet smile and looks so cute in the dress! Thanks for sharing all the nice pictures!
Praying for the whole event. I want to give my girl my favorite bible, all her pretty little dresses, a lock of hair from her first cut, and so far I have saved all of her artwork. I am ridiculous.
Oh yes, I will be praying that her flight is on time…and for a safe trip!
I will be there this weekend…can’t wait!! 🙂
I’m a maniac about saving things for my boys. I’ve saved every outfit I ever smocked or sewed for them, their coming home outfits, and I filled a box with little things from their first year–a bib or two we loved, a pacifier, a cloth diaper that was monogrammed (actually many of those), a onesie, socks, soft toys they loved, monogrammed blanket or two etc. They get a kick of out of it.
Today I save every single paper that comes home from school (crazy, huh). In my walk-out attic storage I have a card table with a paper box and on the end of the box I write “Name, 3rd Grade” then just as stuff comes home I put it in the box. Try to make one year fit in a box–even Bible school papers. We have many boxes now and my husband thinks I’m silly but I love their coloring pages, handwriting, art, etc.
Keep it all siesta because one day you’ll be so glad you did! 😉 Jill
bd from Apple Valley MN
I Thes 5:16-18 NIV
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I have saved the outfits they wore home from the hospital and a couple of more that were special. I also have my daughter’s favorite “blankie” (or what is left of it!)
I have their favorite stuffed animals too!
Every night (practically) I read The Little Engine That Could to my son — for over a year! It was his favorite. I have that book tucked into his keepsake box.
Praying for the LPL event and a safe, on time flight.
Leigh Ann
She is just precious. I’m blessed with 2 boys (8 and 1). My mom kept all my clothes as well, but sadly they will not be used again. However, my great aunt made a beautiful quilt/blanket that is mint green on one side and tiny blue flowers on the other. I have used it with both boys. It means so much. AND, my first son was a tiny little preemie, so we kept his first preemie clothes and he puts them on his bears. Love those, too.
I kept my son’s first toy (from Grandma) and the first pair of pyjama’s I bought him (a size 000). I am also keeping the hospital bracelet and a few favourite clothes including his first jeans (size 0000) and the two outfits we had to go out and buy when he was born (size 00000). Despite being 8 pounds, he idn’t fit into the 0000 so we had to get him 2 premmie outfits. He will be 4 soon, and my only child due to medical reasons.
How special! I know I’m only 20 and don’t even have a boyfriend, but sometimes I think about my kids. My mom has saved some of my special clothes from when I was a baby as well as some blankets or special toys. I’ve saved my very favorite children’s books. Some of them are books my mom saved for ME before she even knew who I was! I love traditions and passing things down.
i have a blanket that a friend made for me (sorry i have to say this) knowing that my son would be stillborn and i was able to pass it on to my little sister’s newborn son at her shower.
I don’t know if I’d call it a keepsake, but there’s an absolutely hilarious family portrait from when I was still a newborn. It was quite unintentional, of course, but we were a dead ringer the Addams family. My sister had that long straight hair that made her look like Wednesday, my brother could have passed for Pugsly (he and my sister were about the right ages too), and Dad had white hair and a crew cut that suggested Uncle Fester. In the foreground was mother with dark circles under her eyes and an obviously squawling infant who would be Yours Truly.
I know this sounds like I’m exaggerating, but you should seriously see this picture. We pull it out every few years or so to laugh at it and console ourselves that surely we could never look that awful again!
What a cutie pie Anabeth is!!!
Beth, you and everyone associated with LPL are in my prayers. MAY THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY MAKE HIS PRESENCE KNOW IN OREGON THIS WEEKEND IN A MIGHTY AND AWESOME WAY!
Love,
Kim
Doswell, VA
I’m like another one of the siestas…I have a bin of clothes I’ve kept from my boys and I plan on making them a quilt! I think boys would like that better as they get older! I also plan to add any jerseys or other special items that they may have as they grow! Thanks for sharing! We will pray for Beth’s trip!
Love,
Donna (the mom of twin boys)
Oh Aunt Bethie (as I like to refer her as) I am so so so excited for you to come to Portland!!! I’m a transplant from SC living here while my husband goes to seminary! I’ve been looking forward to this since I first found out you were coming!!! WOO HOO! I’ll be there with bells on with my 5 week old baby. We’ve had a serious talk and he understands that if he ever wants a chance with Annabeth he has to stay quiet!
P.S. Can you please leave the rain in Houston… it’s been a loooong rainy winter and sun is in the forcast this weekend!
My little girl is almost two and I don’t have a ton of stuff saved yet. I have been writing her letters (the day she was born, at 6 months, her first b-day, ect.) that I’m saving for her. I also have her going home outfit and her hospital bracelet. I need to read through these comments to get some other ideas!
we have a 10 month old little girl and all the letters that my husband and i write to each other {and some we’ve written to her }are being saved for her. so that she knows that kind of love we had for each other and for her too. not saying we are perfect, but we know and count on the perfect One to rule our hearts and home.
i’ve also saved some of her outfits, jewelry, etc. but those things not too too important when trying to raise a proverbs 31 woman 😉
Each of my children has a box of special things- art projects, clothes, etc. And a folder in my desk that hold school work, awards and other paper type things. This afternoon my older two children were being somewhat snooty about an animal book their younger brother (6 y/o) was making. I whipped out the little books they had made at that same age. Instant end of the I’m-smarter-than-you-are attitude. 🙂 We spent the next hour reading all their writings and guessing at what on earth the letters were supposed to spell!
Amanda- I forgot to say how adorable Annabeth looks in your baby dress! She exudes so much personality and has such a charming smile already! Her brother Jackson looks every bit the charmer, too! And they certainly have a darling Mama!
Oh Amanda,
Annabeth is so adorable!! 🙂 Praying for Beth and the LPL event!
Much love,
Sharon, NC
50 years ago new moms stayed in the hospital a lot longer than moms do now. My parents were expecting a boy when I surprised them by being a girl. They were so sure they were having a boy they didn’t have a single girl’s name picked out. I was 5 days old and the hospital informed my parents that we could not be discharged until they came up with a name. They saved the “baby ID bracelet” for me – it says “girl.” How sad is that? Ha! But I do love my name. 🙂
Elaine Marie
My Dad saved my baby teeth in a little keepsake jar. I opened them after 20 years… Disgusting but cute 🙂