*Title photo courtesy of suphakit72 at www.freedigitalphotos.net
Milestones. We look forward to so many of them as parents. Although, I am sure we regret some of them the instant they happen....take walking for instance. We encourage and prod and completely spazz out over our baby's first steps. Then a month later, as we are chasing them away from the hot stove and up the staircase, and they are grabbing stuff off the counter that they used to not be able to reach, we wonder why in the world we EVER wished for them to walk!
We have looked forward to all those same milestones with each of our kids. First rolling over, then crawling, then walking, talking, going potty on the toilet, and heading off to school. Each accomplishment is special and we ooh and aah over it, take a million pictures, call friends and family members, post about it on Facebook, and brag to everyone who will listen. And we have done that with each of our kids.
So why is it that these same accomplishments feel so different with our youngest daughter?
She is our baby. The whole family tends to rotate around her and we know this. Everyone dotes on her, including the other kids. She is the last one and we all know it (even though SHE isn't convinced OR happy about this decision!)
And so these milestones seem kind of bittersweet.
When she started crawling, it meant that she no longer needed me to carry her everywhere. When she started walking it meant that she was gaining even more independence. When she stopped breastfeeding, I felt sad knowing that I would never again kiss the top of a sweet-smelling little baby head while nursing. When she stopped wearing diapers, well... THAT one made me happy! Who in their right mind ENJOYS changing a stinky, poo-filled diaper? Not me! But you catch my drift.
A couple weeks ago, she passed another milestone moment- our little baby girl started preschool. It was long awaited and she was ready, but the day I put her on the school bus for the very first time, I fought back those same tears I had fought back three times before when her older siblings walked up those big bus steps too. And when she stuck her little face up to that bus window, grinning from ear to ear, and waving like crazy, it was all I could do to not start bawling like a baby myself.
But, she was happy and so I should be too, right? While going to school marks another notch of independence for my last baby, it also opens up three wonderful hours to myself each afternoon. And what mom doesn't want that? I have started using that time to catch up on my favorite shows on Netflix. WHILE folding laundry...sheesh! I am not a TOTAL slacker!
I am currently binge-watching both "Haven" and "Psych" and just finished watching the entire first season of "Witches of East End". I just LOVE Netflix! There are so many possibilities! Imagine what it will be like once she starts full day school next year!
Oh, there I go again! Wishing for the next milestone. I guess that is what we do as parents, welcome each accomplishment as it comes, then look forward to the next.
What milestones are you currently celebrating?
What milestones are you currently celebrating?
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I am listed in the "Humor" section
I am listed in the "Humor" section
Milestones are so bittersweet, especially with the youngest. Everything Jace does I get so excited over and then immediately I want to cry.
ReplyDeleteFor the past 6 years I've had a kid holding my hand and one in my arms. It's going to be weird when Jenna goes to school and just Jace and I. It was really hard let to ng Jaelyn go, he was my BFF. Lol