We passed a weird milestone on Wednesday. On the surface, it just marked seven months of living in this shouldn’t-call-it-new-anymore house. Then we realized it also marked the point at which Clara has spent more of her life living here than at our first home.
We always knew our first house would just be a foggy blip on Clara’s memory radar, but passing this milestone feels like it’s actually happening. The house that we spent renovating/loving for over 4.5 years meant so much to me and Sherry – it wasn’t just our first home, it was our wedding venue, our DIY testing grounds, our inspiration to start this blog, and where we took our baby home from the hospital. But it’s already becoming “that place I lived for a few months back when I was a baby” to Clara. Sigh.
Here’s her almost seven-month-old self checking out her new room back on moving day.
And here she is over seven months later. Such a big girl. Still pretty bald though.
We’re really glad she (and Burger) took so well to the new house. And we’re more than a little fond of it ourselves. It’s just funny to think that a house that meant so much to us won’t be much more than “oh yeah, that place” to Clara. Thankfully she’ll have no shortage of photos and videos to remember it by.
Do any of you have a childhood home that you only remember vaguely? Or do you get most of your memories jogged by pictures and your parents’ stories? I lived in the same house for my entire childhood, but Sherry moved around a few times, and only remembers “the drop ceiling in the basement that she and the boys would ‘accidentally’ break all the time” from her first one. At least Clara’s memory of her first house won’t involve destruction. Unless you count all the DIY that she witnessed.
Update- We just got Clara’s monthly pic done, check it out here. We’ve got a walker!!
Brenda says
Cute video and great idea! Right now we are remodeling with the possibility of moving and it’s bittersweet. If we do move, I hope we have created enough vivid memories for our kids.
rachael says
i have two homes that i barely remember anything about but the pictures are fun to look at. i had a pretty sweet ALF poster in my first bedroom. and a pink canopy bed.. yikes
vicki says
Such a cute video. Clara is a lucky lady that you made that for her. I never noticed before how much she looks like her daddy!
K (Barking Babymama) says
It looks like you have a bumper up in Clara’s crib now – what kind of bumper did you go with? Is it that vented one I’ve seen? Just curious! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, it’s a breathable white bumper from Babies R Us. Keeps those long legs inside, haha.
xo,
s
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Awww… that is so sweet! Clara is one lucky baby that her parent’s captured her first home memories so well :) My first childhood home memory is still fresh – the home is where my grandparents, parents, and now uncle is living. We usually visit and get to rekindle into our childhood memories :) Joint family rocks!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I thoroughly enjoyed Clara’s photos. She is a darling :)
Queen P says
Ahhh…it’s a teeny bit sad, isn’t it? We moved to our current house a month ago- our son is 2. We labored (well, I did twice haha!)over his old room- so much to make it ‘right’. He’ll probably never remember it.
At least she has the blog! And your video!!
Jeanette says
Love the photos of Clara’s first year and all the fabic, but where did you get the fabic with her name printed on it? My daughter and I both read your blog. She has a 13 month old baby and her first house. Elsa started her first year on an Air Force base. Keep up the good work.
YoungHouseLove says
That was from spoonflower.com. Hope it helps! Clara sends her love to Elsa (she has a cousin with the same name – so pretty).
xo,
s
heather says
We moved a few times before I was 10 due to my Dad’s job but the first house I truly remember and the house we were all sad to leave was our farmhouse in Maine. The fond memories of the house, even though they are kind of foggy, are part of why I love farmhouses to this day. We left that house when I was four but I never forgot it. I live back in Maine now where most of my family is, and I still am in love with farmhouses, especially ones with side porches and new england L’s, like ours was.
Jennie says
i love the video! is it me or is clara the happiest baby who ever lived?
Katie says
I couldn’t help but comment when I saw this post. My husband and I are moving in 1 week from our first house together, which we moved into as soon as we got hitched. We completely remodeled it together and it was where we brought our first daughter home. She’ll be almost 7 months exactly when we move. If all of that isn’t coincidence enough, I was just telling my husband a couple days ago that we should do a video tour with her. We wound up starting to pack before doing it and now the house is close to empty, except for her nursery, which remains untouched because I just can’t bring myself to pack it yet. Do you think we should still film a tour even though everything is depressingly empty or just rely on the trillion wonderful photos we have of her in her first home to jog her memory? Also, do you have any tips for moving with a 7 month old? And how did you cope with all of the emotion of leaving the place you put so much love into and where you brought your baby home?
YoungHouseLove says
I would make the video for sure! She’ll get to see her room and the layout of the house. Things like that are what helped us cope. Every time we documented something we felt like we were leaving less behind. Between pics and video (and excitement for the new house) by the time closing came it was a joyfull time – and nothing we dreaded doing. As for moving with a seven month old, just set up her room first so she feels settled. And try not to stress out (kids can sense that stuff I think). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ali says
We moved a lot and so I’m not really all that attached to any of the houses we lived in. But I find myself getting sentimental about the places we’ve lived since having kids. I remember when I realized that our oldest, Cole (almost 4), had lived in VA longer than in Boston (where he was born), and that was a weird thought. Oh well.
And bald is beautiful. I was a baldie until I was 2! Now I have so much hair that they thin it out when I get it cut. lol
Have you guys gone back to the old house yet to see what the new owners have done with the place?
YoungHouseLove says
We definitely expressed an interest when we sold, so the ball is in their court. No invitations yet, but it’s only been 7 months…
xo,
s
JoDi says
I grew up in NY and moved to a different state to go to college and stayed there after finishing school. I will always be a NY’er at heart so the year I hit the mark where I’d lived as long in my new state as my old one was bittersweet and a weird milestone for me!
Micalla says
Dear Clara,
First of all, I feel like your parents are my older siblings. This very blog is what started my blogging addiction about a year ago.
Secondly, don’t worry. Your hair will come in. Promise! I was bald until I was well into my 2’s…and even though my mom literally glued bows onto my bald head, I was still called a “cute little boy.” Now I have dark hair…and plenty of it!
My parents moved into the house I grew up, when I was just 6 months old. They just moved out a few years ago. So many sweet memories from that little house. You’ll have many too!
Keep rockin’ that huge smile and soft head, girl!
Love,
A fellow (past) baldy
Erin says
My parents still own the same house I grew up in. Some time a day will come when they will need to sell the farm (tee hee, not buy the farm) and I will dearly miss the place. It is an old farm house on about 100acres. The land has been in my mom’s family for years.
My Husband and I got married (same summer as you two) under a huge sugar maple tree (a tree that my bro and I tapped for sap to make maple syrup when we were kids) in my parents yard and had the party in a tent outside Dad’s workshop.
I can’t ever imagine not being able to go back there. I hope that the house/land stays in the family. We actually almost bought the place from my parents, but it was going to be too complicated and zoning wouldn’t allow us to build a separate Granny-flat dwelling.
Now, my husband and I have a house in the burbs (old burbs = trees) and we have an in ground pool. All the years (like into my 30’s lol) of me unsuccessfully trying to talk my parents into building a pool, resulted in us buying a house with one.
Hopefully Clara has many many years in her house!
Have a great weekend.
My weekend has begun with me attempting to pull a all-nighter making a Faux capiz light pendant for over our dining room table ( like the rectangle one from West Elm ). Wish me luck as I think that I am nuts :p
April says
I hate to break it to you guys, but Clara’s not going to have a fuzzy memory of the first house… she’ll have no memory of it at all. It’s possible she has a fuzzy memory of it now, but it won’t be long before it’s gone. Most people don’t have any memories before the age of two, or one if it was a particularly intense memory.
But I’m sure she’ll love the pictures and videos you took for her. And I bet she’ll love the first house knowing that it was so special to you two.
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah you’re right. J and I don’t remember anything until about age three. But from pics and stories we have those feels-like-they’re-memories things from before then. Hope we can create that for the bean with lots of pics and videos!
xo,
s
Lisa says
My family moved into the house I grew up in a month before I was born and we lived there for 26 years!! I notice that when I dream; usually it’s centered around that house.
I’m sure Clara {and Burger} will have very fond memories one day of her “current” home.
Tiffini S. says
My twins (girls) were born Tuesday morning and I’ve been thinking about my sons birth 3.5 years ago. The main thing that sticks out was taking him home to our drafty old house and all the memories that went along with it.
I’m thrilled that our new house has significantly less of a Nor’easter, but it is sad that they will have never experienced their big brother’s first digs.
YoungHouseLove says
Congrats on the twins!! What an eventful week it’s been for ya!
xo,
s
meagan says
A weird but GREAT milestone that you will never forget! My parents always tell me the story about the house I was born in and the house I was raised in. My name is in the cement in the basement of the house I was born in… I am dying to stop by and ask if I can see it someday.
Meagan
Elizabeth says
A 1920s brick house we lived in for only about 18 months in Louisville, Kentucky, is such a dear memory that it almost haunts me. My first room all to myself and a screened front porch where I read and read and read. The basement was great for roller skating and, to my grownup taste, the butler’s pantry was the best.
Have just subscribed to your feed and am catching up on your blog.
Samantha says
I have to agree about being bald. “Luckily” for me our last name lended to the nick name “Baldy”. It has been the family nickname for generations. I was over 3 when I finally got hair but by kindergarten it was down to the middle of my back and thick. So don’t worry she’ll probably have a thick head of hair in no time.
Heidi says
Where is the nightstand from that is in Clara’s room? I’ve been looking for something sturdy for my son’s room and it looks perfect!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s an end table from Target a while back (I added the baskets to make drawers (it used to be open). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kim says
I moved out of my child hood home when I was 11. I cried for days when my parents told us we were moving (only 2 houses down!) But the previous homeowners did a paint by numbers on the closet doors with hot pink, teal, and maroon… Not to mention there was a siamese cat border around the top! Eww. I wrote a letter to the people that were moving into my house and left it on the mantel. I told them they better take care of it or I was going to be mad! :)
carla de leon says
hi sherry, i love your blog and this post is one of the sweetest too! i can remember my parents’ panelled ceiling… btw, i also mentioned your lovely daughter in my blog: http://carlasdeleon.blogspot.com/2011/07/4-year-old-2-month-old.html
YoungHouseLove says
Such a sweet photo! Love it.
xo,
s
Xanthe says
how tall is Clara now? what does she weigh? Clara will be into everything now that she is on her feet!
YoungHouseLove says
She’s around 20lbs and very tall like her daddy (not sure of actual inches but she’s always at the top of the chart). She can definitely reach things on top of the kitchen counter if they’re close enough to the edge (like the dishtowel). So crazy!!!
xo,
s
Andrea says
Congrats guys!! Love your blog!! We love watching your progress (in both the house and with your cute little one!)
Chelsea says
Random Question but what kind of bumper do you have in Clara’s crib. My 11 mo. old demolishes his and it doesn’t seem to really “work” how it should. What is that one and do you like it?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We just needed something to keep her legs and arms from sticking through (and getting caught) when she sleeps, so we went with a breathable white bumper from Babies R Us (it’s not plush or thick, just sort of like mesh so it keeps extremities in).
xo,
s
Kim says
hey there, just wondering where you got clara’s crib? i love the simplicity of it!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s the post on that for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/02/nursery-progress-crib-notes/
xo,
s
Tanya says
We had just the one home growing up. My dad finally sold it when my mum passed away. There are so many memories there, from pets buried in the backyard to our names secretly etched into the concrete patio. I still drive past somedays just to look.
What moving every now and then gives you is a timeline for your memories. I have 25 years of memories from one place that are hard to accurately pinpoint.
While it’s a little sad for you, Clara will always have the photos and your recalled fond memories. Clara’s most important memories will always be family though – not the house where it happened.
Xxx
Sarah says
Clara is getting so big! Her hair looks like it has a tint of ginger in it…is that true? So pretty!
YoungHouseLove says
It looks pretty blonde in real life (not platinum but sort of dirty blonde like John’s). Should be fun to watch it fill in!
xo,
s
Iomay says
This is absolutely the sweetest post! I’m sure Clara is going to appreciate the thought and energy that you put into her video. As well as jogging her memory of the silly things you would do for her and all the “help” she was to you even early on! :) Just keep telling her that she used to LOVE helping you with house chores and maybe it will stick… My daughter Carrigan is 9 months today and I think I’m going to start telling her she loves being tidy…
Ashley@hookedonhickory says
Time flies by! That’s for sure. What a lucky girl Clara is. She will appreciate all the energy and time you have put into saving each and every memory. And don’t worry. My sis has twinnies and they are still bald beauties. It will fill in ;) What a beauty she is!
hookedonhickory.blogspot.com
Donita says
Random question for SHERRY!!! We live in a rental home, old farmhouse type, 900 sq feet. The kitchen and dining area are basically one room. Above the table area is a window 40″ tall and 66″ wide. We love the sunshine, when we get it, however, it fades everything on my spice shelf. The window does not open, *many years of paint* so it gets pretty hot in there as well. I am looking for a washable window covering for that window. We have tried buying mini blinds, but there hasn’t been a great fit yet. The window has a six inch divider down the middle, making it difficult to hang blinds of any kind. I’m pretty sure that a curtain is my best option………JUST NEEDING IDEAS FOR THE BEST ONE. The morning sun comes through that window, so a regular curtain would fade for sure. My problem is, what type of curtain rod would I use. My kitchen/dining theme is 1950’s ish, new and old decor in there. Our ceilings are ten feet tall, so a rod to the ceiling would look funny on that small of a window. SIGH!!! We have lived here for 18+ years and I have had one curtain there………….and NOTHING for many years. Trying to find the right fit has been maddening. HELP!!!
YoungHouseLove says
I would probably do frosted window film to cut down on the glare/fading. Then I’d use breezy white lined blackout curtains and an oil-rubbed bronze curtain rod (classic). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Heather Crawford says
Firstly,
Yay for the milestone!!
Second, this might be weird to mention but that baby doesn’t look like Clara?? Am I crazy?? It is a very cute baby but I thought this maybe one of those posts where ya’ll are maybe waiting to see who notices??
P.s.
Love the blog…If this is Clara… well maybe it’s been a bit since I’ve seen an older pic..lol
Heather
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s totally Clara. Too funny!
xo,
s
Donita says
Thank you!! I can’t quit thinking about that ORB you use. LOL Have been trying to think of things to paint. When hubby is gone, of course. LOL He freaks at change. I will start looking for an ORB rod. ;-)
Becky says
I wouldn’t even worry about her cute lil bald head! I was completely bald (like, not even 1 Homer Simpson hair) until I was almost 3 1/2. My poor mother would even dress me in all pink and people would still ask her “whats HIS name.” But, when my hair did come in it was curly and beautiful and has been ever since. I look at it this way, all good things (and hair) come to those who wait :)
Melissa says
Congratulations, Clara! One small step for you, one giant step for mom and dad. (shedding a little tear on your mama’s behalf)
Andrea says
Hello!!! I LOVE Younghouselove.com!!! I have been a long time reader.
I need advice from anyone who is willing to help! I’m desperatly in need of an accent chair for my TOO beige living room. Would you put this accent chair.
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=394773&CategoryID=36166
With this furniture:
http://www.ifurn.com/reclining-sofas-lane-214-39k.html
The couch in the last link is what we have now, but the microsuede is more of a light beige then the one in the picture. We also just got red oak hardwood floors put in, so I want the furniture to really tie it all together.
Any thoughts would be great!!!!
Andrea
Andrea says
FYI – i just realized that the link to the couch takes you to a picture of hte couch in leather. Click on the other pic. for the micro suede version. But, like I said earlier – it’s a lighter beige than the one picture.
I’m just worried that the chair doesn’t “go” with the couch.
YoungHouseLove says
Of course! The seafoam is like a neutral since it has warm neutral tones in it as well. It should all tie together beautifully!
xo,
s
Andrea says
Oh my gosh, Sherry! I feel so honored that you replied!!! Thank you!!! I love the color of the chair, but I was worried that it looked almost too contemporary compared to the couch/recliner we have. Is that something to worry about with accent chairs or is it not that big of a deal?
Again, thanks for replying!! You just made my night!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Nah, I think if you have fresh pillows on everything, and maybe some crisp not too drab curtains it’ll look awesome and balanced in there. Too much of anything can be boring (ie: too much contemporary, too much traditional) so it’s nice to have a sofa and a chair that aren’t exact twins in that area. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Aron says
Congrats!
PS Saw your peacock ikat (drape) fabric on a $329 (you scored on that fabric) chair at Urban Outfitters this weekend. It looked awesome in person.
YoungHouseLove says
Isn’t that funny? Such a small world!
xo,
s
KathyG says
Oh yes we definately need a WALKING vid in this house!!!! This is really Clara’s house…the other one was john sherry burger, and even though ypu brought her home there, like you said because of THIS milestone, this really is Clara’s house.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s true. We were just talking about how we have to catch it on video for my mom (and you guys too)!
xo,
s
Sharon Holden says
I lived in the same house until I left home and my Mum only sold the family home last year (I’m now 41). My husband and I have lived in 4 houses in that time and although I’ve been attached to them, when the time/reason is right it is a lot easier to move on.
Btw Clara is so adorable and it is so nice that you have made so many videos for her to enjoy (or cringe at when she is a teen lol).
Louise says
Awe, on rainy Monday mornings in London, your site still manages to cheer me up! I moved around lots as a child, and looking back I still have a clear favourite house. One good thing about moving is that I can pinpoint my age per memory just by knowing which house I was in. Anyways, both baby and house are gorgeous, so enjoy!
Jenny says
Hello! I love Clara’s room! Where did her crib come from? Its adorable!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s that post for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/02/nursery-progress-crib-notes/
xo,
s
annie overman says
I’ve been enjoying your blog for a few months now. Love all of your projects and the fun way you have of sharing your life with the world. I noticed you have a breathable bumper for Clara’s crib.. I made one of those for our little one’s crib and it was one of the easiest sewing projects ever. I got fabric to match our bedding (which was also homemade, so easy to match) and just made a long “tube” with some ribbons on either end that I tied together after weaving the fabric through the slats. It’s not “mesh” but still just thin cotton fabric, so seems safe and breathable compared to a thick bumper. I bet Clara won’t be in the crib much longer, but an idea for next time.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip! Sounds sweet!
xo,
s
Melissa says
Sadly our daughter won’t remember the first house she lived in either, or the second and maybe the 3rd but then who knows. She doesn’t remember the house we brought her home in anymore which is actually kind of upseting for us but we moved when she was a year old so I shouldn’t be surprised. haha… At the moment she still remembers our house we moved out of just a few short months ago but those memories will fade as well i’m sure as she is only 3. We will probably be in this house anywhere from a year to 3 so she may or may not remember living here at all either. That is just sometimes the life of a military brat.
I lived in the same childhood home for 13 years so I can remember every detail of that house. My parents built a home and we moved when I was 13 and they still live there (16 years later) and most likely will stay in that home. I never moved around much until I got married. In the 9 years that my husband and I have been married we have lived in 3 different homes and 2 states.
Camm Norris says
Wow!! I love, LOVE YHL!! To think I stumbled upon your page when I was randomly looking up DIY projects on Google. Now I find myself checking back here daily. Can’t wait to see the finished result of your new home. You guys are adorable! Thank you for sharing your life with me…makes my day :)
Patty says
You guys are the most incredible parents. I love how much you LOVE sweet little Clara. Our daughter’s name is Charlotte and makes our hearts melt daily. There are so many creative things you do with Clara that inspire Aaron and I to be the best parents we can be. Life is good! Thank you for putting yourselves out there and shaing the love….ps..I went to the book signing in Minneapolis and had a question planned for you but co.pletly spaced it-I might have been a bit star struck :)- I was going to ask you what your house smelled like LOL!! I and convinced myself that it probably smelled like a light peppermint because your house is always so fresh looking..Now that I think that through I am glad I didn’t remember to ask..may have been awkward! Anyhoo you bring smiles every day!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re so sweet Patty! That’s such a funny question! I think my answer would be that it doesn’t smell like anything to us. Haha! Completely unscented. Then when we go over our friends houses and they smell awesome (like dinner or cleaning products) we come home and say “aw man, our house has no smell!”
xo
s