Reality Check

Yesterday, before picking up the girls, I made a quick stop at Macy’s. I had already made a killing at Target for next summer’s wardrobe (I know, I know….just forget I ever wrote the Gluttony post!) and I thought I’d get lucky if I snuck in and searched the racks while I had the rare free minutes to spare. After all, I had purchased those adorable little Ralph Lauren swimsuits at Macy’s earlier in the season for a steal.

I quickly flipped through the racks in search of anything cute (and matching or coordinating) in Sizes 2T and 3T for A and M, respectively. As my Beans are on the small size, I’m running a risk by assuming they’ll fit these sizes, but I thought, for such a deal, I could afford to be off a little on sizes. At the very least, one set of each item I purchased would fit. The Pie is already growing out of some of her 18 Month clothes.

For some reason, I could only find 24 Month clothes and nothing larger. I was sure that the size would do just fine for Peanut next spring/summer, but I just couldn’t purchase one of everything. Before the Beans, I swore that I would not always dress them alike. But there is nothing cuter than these two sisters, who look nothing alike (and act nothing alike, for that matter) in matching or coordinating outfits. I’ve come to grips with the fact that one day a Bean will look at me square in the eye and tell me how ridiculous it is that she has to dress like her sister every day. Until that day comes, they are at my mercy when it comes to outfits. For goodness sakes, I should be given brownie points for not assigning them rhyming names!

Anyway, back to the story at hand. I was flipping through the racks, trying to find adorable, matching or coordinating summer wear in Sizes 2T and 3T and couldn’t find a thing. I thought, I couldn’t be this late for the sale! There must be something wrong! I then began searching through the regularly priced items. Same problem. Does Macy’s vendors have a bone to pick with the toddler crowd? Is next summer’s rage going to be diapers sans shirts? What’s the deal?

And then I looked up and across the aisle. In big block letters, the collection directly across from me was labeled “Girls 2-6”. I turned around and looked at the sign above me. “Babies and Toddlers.” Gasp!

I stood on the edge of the carpet leading to the aisle and gazed across at the clothes looming before me. It can’t be. I refuse to believe it! My Beans aren’t girls! They’re my Beans! My babies, my little ones, my breath, my dream, my everything. They only just started toddling! They are not girls. Well, not just yet. Right? Right??

I finally conjured up the nerve to step over to the other side. I only half-heartedly glanced at the clothes. And I did find the sizes I was looking for. It’s just that they didn’t seem nearly as cute now that they were “girl” clothes and not “baby” clothes. I left empty-handed and half broken-hearted.

I imagine I’ll feel the same way when one approaches me and demands to be taken bra shopping. I’ll choke on my tears and trudge along beside her as she skips eagerly into adolescence, knowing that, despite what the world sees in that young woman, she is and will always be my baby.