I go through different phases when it comes to shopping antiques.  There are periods when I am digging through every linen rack and pile in sight and other times when I’m scouring shelves for silver.  In one of those phases, just about any antique baby item caught my eye.  That phase was in my pre-baby years and that probably had something to do with it…  I was drawn to little leather booties, delicate bonnets, highchairs, and white dresses.  I even bought an antique iron crib and used it as a day bed for many years.  I’ve since sold almost all of the baby gear I bought in that phase, but I kept a few special pieces.  Today, I was cleaning up the guest room and saw two Christening gowns I had kept, but put away in the closet.  It was time to find a place for them again.

I walked around the house, holding the two antique hangers from my fingers.  I finally found the perfect place.  I used the tall shutters in my family room as a place to hang Christmas stockings, so they already had nails at the proper height for the dresses.

I kept this dress because the handmade lace is amazing, but mostly because it was found in the attic of my husband’s great aunt.  We’re not sure who it belonged to, but I always treasure family pieces.  I think I cried when my mother-in-law gave it to me.

The other dress is a bit simpler, but is still special to me.  I helped a close friend clean out her barn and we found this in one of the trunks.  She knew I loved baby dresses, so she gave it to me.

The detail on the bottom of this one is beautiful as well.

It’s nice to have them on display again.

I had plans of putting a baby in them one day, but I had two boys, so I let those plans go.  I’m sure they’ll thank me for that when they’re teenagers.

Today I did some painting, went to the doctor for a follow-up appointment from my surgery and went to the grocery store.  That would’ve been a very light day for me a few weeks ago, but it was a flurry of activity when compared to my days over the past two weeks.  I was utterly pooped when I was done putting the groceries away, so I need to take it a little easier tomorrow.  I don’t feel like I pushed myself too hard, but I definitely discovered my limit.

I have another great giveaway coming up tomorrow and I’ll also announce the winner of the Sutton Place Designs giveaway.