
I was putting sheets away today and shuffling around old linens in the closet to create some semblance of organization. As I started pulling out items no longer used and piling them up, I was suddenly struck by a super sentimental moment evoked by this stack of Peanutman's old pillowcases.
They have seen and represent so many rich memories of bonding and loving around bedtime and naptime - such vulnerable and critical transition times for young'uns. M and I savored every one - we had/have a happy, secure, good sleeper which made these times of day so precious. There was snuggling, revisiting the events of the day, rocking, book reading, storytelling, shushing back to sleep, comforting a sicky-wicket, asking too many questions, tucking in, singing songs (Lawrence Welk good night song anyone?) ... and there was watching him sleep, sniffing his head, pulling the covers back up, turning off the night light, and reflecting on how lucky, lucky, lucky we all are to have one another.

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His first pillow was covered by this super-soft flannel pillowcase, leftover from a sheet set when we were first married. It wore thinner and softer as time went on - and he'd tuck his little arms inside the little rips when he was sleeping - which would then become big tears. It was repaired so many times that it became very amoeba-shaped - I think this would have been his version of a 'blankie' b/c he was so attached to it.

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Sticking with the flannel he loved so, he picked out this construction vehicle fabric at Jo-Ann's. I would let him choose what he liked, then I'd let him sew it. He'd sit on my lap and hold the machine's pedal in his hands and squeeze. He'd be having a giggle fit by the time we were done from all the stopping and going at warp speeds!! (If your kiddos like flannel beneath their sleepy heads, check out the adorable organic Forest Friends Flannel from my friends Michelle and Gina at Cloud9 Fabrics.)

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Credit for this vibrant toothfairy pillowcase goes to my Mom. She made each of us a case like this growing up, so she kept the tradition going by making one for each of her grandchildren, too! Very sweet. The little applique fish is the pocket where your tooth would go.

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Pokemon, oh, Pokemon. Again, he picked it out and helped me sew it up. A long love affair got underway when J discovered Pokemon. Long. Love. Affair. You can see his Squirtle costume for Halloween here. I remember hand-stitching the coils on the tail like it was yesterday! It was right after 9/11, and I recall the footage airing on TV as I sewed. Sad.

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Star Wars. When he picked out this fabric, I recall thinking that our singular world as father-mother-son was officially beginning to separate into 2 different camps with unique likes/dislikes, activities and conversations. Father & son and Mother & son. It was hard to pretend I liked it, and it was the first time I gave myself permission to not become immersed in 'the boy stuff' he liked, as I had with construction, dinosaurs, Pokemon, etc. Turned out to be a good thing b/c there was more for him to genuinely share with me.

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Camouflage. In 4th grade, he bet another classmate he would wear something with camouflage on it every single day for the entire year. He was successful! The dude was obsessed, and the camo fabric was fitting. It was also the last one I made for him b/c 5th grade brought about a more mature personality that wasn't as focused on any one pastime anymore ... and so it goes.
What I wouldn't give to go back to these sweet and simple days for a few hours.