A Healer’s Geste

Inventory

Having two boys two years apart was supposed to be efficient. All Hans’ clothes could be recycled to Jaeger within two seasons; all Hans’ shoes could be reworn; hats, coats, toys…all easily reused.

Not so. Jaeger wears the same hat size as Hans, so he had to have a new summer hat and Hans’ old summer hat had to be put away without being worn twice. Jaeger has simply gone without shoes until recently, because the inexpensive shoes I bought for Hans don’t have enough give in them for Jaeger’s chunky feet. Thankfully, now walking and in size 5, Jaegs can wear Uncle Kevin & Kyle’s old tennies, as did Hans, which are better quality than the shoes I generally buy (although now I’ve learned eBay is the place to buy slightly used quality kid shoes for Payless bargain prices). Jaeger is wearing 12-18 month pants — as long as the waist in them has enough elastic. 2T pants fit his stomach better but are too long.

With Hans’ dress clothes I skipped 3T and moved him from 2T to 4T. Well, Jaeger needs to skip from 18m to 3T, don’tcha know. Dress clothes never fit the same as other clothes, and the button-up shirts just don’t have enough give in them for that cute Jaeger tummy. A few weeks ago I graduated Hans to a 5T dress shirt I had in reserve just so I could have his 4T (which still fit fine) for Jaeger. With a few rolls of the sleeve, however, it looked just right on him — even in the shoulders! So, do I look for 3T dress shirts or do I just move Hans on up to 5T a bit early and appropriate the 4Ts to Jaeger?

Hans got a new belt that’s slightly too big so that Jaeger could have his old belt.

Even though Jaeger is a size 5 and Hans a size 8, I have them wear the same size socks. It’s just easier that way.

Several of Hans’ t-shirts over the past few weeks have moved straight across to Jaeger’s drawer. If it’s just a hair on the small side for Hans, it’ll be perfect on Jaeger. Will they be the same size by the end of fall or winter? I just went through the two boxes of reserve clothes today, but not soon enough. Several shirts went to the “too small” box without ever being worn by Jaeger. Several fall sweatshirts and long-sleeve shirts will never be worn by Jaeger. Hans’ winter shirts from last year are just a tad on the tight or short side, so they went into Jaeger’s pile and Hans will get new ones.

Hans went from a 12m (that ran large; he wore it two winters) winter coat to a 3T winter coat. Jaeger wore the 12m coat last year, but it’s too small for him this year. Hans’ coat still fits him perfectly and is too long for Jaeger, so we’ll have to get a 2T coat this winter. At least so far we’ve been able to pick nicer, neutral coats that will work for all future children, boy or girl. Hans’ 2T light jacket (I’m convinced it’s actually a 3T) is now Jaeger’s, the 24m hand-me-down demin jacket we were given will be handed down past him, and Hans will need a new jacket. Both boys will need new fall/winter hats: two in size 4T, please.

So, will Hans’ summer clothes fit Jaeger next year or next summer will I have to buy double the clothes, as if I had twins?