OOPSIE DOOPSIE

This random thought popped into my head a few months ago…I don’t remember the last time I washed a bottle. I don’t remember the last time I swaddled her. Infancy, those first beautiful months, just disappeared.

“It goes fast,” is the honest-to-the-heavens truth. I can understand a fear in blinking. These days, her development is just remarkable to watch. One moment, she’s learning a new way of doing something, and in the next, she’s mastered it and moved on to the next task. She’s quickly discovering her little bit of independence. She has opinions. She says, “I will do it myself.” Man.

What am I doing while she’s working so hard at just being awesome? Doing what a mom does best…wallowing in the bittersweet sting of progress. I’ll never hold her back, but I’ll definitely shed a few mama tears when a chapter comes to a close…when a “last” is suddenly staring me in the face.

And then it hit me, we have accomplished SO many “lasts” in the past two years. The “lasts” zipped by without much acknowledgement. As time continues to march on, I realize a few new “lasts” are quietly waiting for us. Before we know it, it will be…

01. The last time we buy a package of diapers.

We started buying smaller boxes of diapers and added in pull-ups to the purchasing mix. Potty training in full swing! An interesting transition to say the least, but I’ve never seen her so proud.

02. The last time I’ll carry her up to her room at bedtime.

I thought about this a few nights ago as I walked up the stairs with her in my arms. I’ve done this every night for the past 1.5 years, but now I was very aware of her height and weight. She’s not a baby anymore. Her legs are getting so long. Walking up the stairs is getting slightly difficult. She’s not heavy, but I definitely move slower. Whether she or I decide on the next transition, I’ll continue to carry my baby as she rests her head on my shoulder.

03. The last time I put on her shoes.

She’s starting to put her shoes on the right feet. She’s learning left from right. She pushes her feet into her boots. She “gets” it. It will only be a matter of time…

04. The last time I worry about a sippy cup.

I don’t know why, but I love straws. Mads started to take notice of this awhile ago and asked to use one. This worked out well especially when we have smoothies for breakfast, but now she’s asking for no lid on her sippy cup and sometimes no straw. She just wants to drink from a cup. We sometimes let her, and although we still clean up a mess, she’s getting there. It’s her preference, and if I know anything about her personality, she’ll keep working on it until it’s right.

05. The last time she sleeps in a crib.

We are slowly moving towards that transition bed! But we still have some time before I need to pick my fear: climbing out of the crib vs rolling out of a toddler bed. Maybe I’ll just push this one in the way back of my mind and pretend it won’t happen for several years. Wishful thinking.

After typing this list, it becomes SO apparent that I’m SUCH a mom. I mean, these “lasts” seem so small in the grand scheme of things. But I can’t think like that.

Each number is a little box waiting for its check-mark. A milestone. Another goal for her to smash as she cruises through her toddler years and becomes…a kid.

And she’ll do it. Because she’s amazing and has yet to give up a “last” yet.

Linking up with Jessica and Emily.