Any parent can tell you that life is full of “roots & wings” moments. Our time with our children is so fleeting. While we may have a lifetime to love them, they are really only “ours” for 18 or so years at which point we pray we have given them enough life moments to grow their roots and spread their wings and enter the world on their own to fly.
With the anticipation of my first born son starting school for the first time this fall, and later this winter our second son’s birth, I have spent a lot of time lately reflecting back on my son’s first moments and the firsts I have had as a mother.
These are the blessings we as parents are given. The obvious and the not so obvious moments we cherish and remember for a lifetime.
As a young family, our firsts have only just begun, but already the moments have added up to the most precious gift I have ever been given.
The gift of parenthood.
The first moment I realized I was going to be a mother.
The first time I felt my baby kick inside of me.
The first time I held my son in my arms.
The first time I got peed on.
His first real smile.
His first Halloween.
The first time my husband deployed after our son’s birth.
His first tooth.
The first airplane ride.
His first trip to the beach.
The first time I doubted my ability to parent alone through deployments.
The first time I realized bad days are fixed by an infectious baby laugh.
Our first Christmas.
His first solid food.
The first time to a Cubs game.
His first birthday.
The first steps he took.
The first time I heard him say “Mama”.
The first time he said “I love you”.
The first haircut.
The first time I broke my own parenting rules.
Our first family trip to Disneyland.
The first time we told our son he was going to be a big brother.
And soon, his first day of school.
There have of course been a million other first moments in my son’s life, millions of first moments as a parent, and so many firsts to be had with my second son. Many brought smiles, some brought tears, and others made us laugh out loud. But they all shaped me as a mother and allowed me to embrace life as a parent.
This post has been inspired by the Odd Life of Timothy Green. Disney’s movie to be released August 15th. I was lucky to be one of the first in the world to see this movie back in April, and the as I walked away from this movie I couldn’t help but to be inspired by the message of the movie.
No matter how you become a parent, no matter what kind of parent you are, we are all blessed with the gifts of life’s first moments. We just have to keep our eyes and hearts open to them.
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What a great post! So many firsts! I have two boys and about to welcome boy #3 in a few weeks – and yes, time with our children is fleeting! I am enjoying every moment!
I love this post!! I found myself getting teared up over all the first thinking about my daughter’s! We just ordered her new backpack and lunch box for school….I can’t believe it!!
Oh I love this post. You are always so insightful with what you write! My son rolled over yesterday, and it had me thinking back to when my oldest rolled over for the first time. The same joy and excitement was there. Now my oldest will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. Time does just fly past us.
That was such a sweet look back and so fun for me because I met you when he was a little bit older. You get to start all over with a whole bunch of new firsts with the new baby too!
I totally agree with you Emily. What a wonderful post! Such a cutie!
I love that I was able to read about most of these firsts on your blog and watch Squishy grow up into a wonderful 3 year old boy. I am excited to follow along your journey with #2 too! Love you guys!!
As I was reading this and thinking how sweet all of it was, I couldn’t help but continue laughing at your comment about the first time you got peed on. Ahh. Joys of having kids…not like I’d know yet though. LOL.
Awwww that’s so sweet.
Those are so sweet!
I love the first birthday picture, how his eyebrows are squished. Is he rocking a faux hawk? Awesome.
Great post of wonderful memories.
Wonderful post! I have a million firsts to treasure and hopefully many more to come. They do go by so fast though.
So adorable!
What a wonderful post and I can totally relate! This year, my youngest will attend all day Pre K, which will leave me kid free for 7hrs a day. While most mothers would be doing cartwheels, I already feel out of place and awkward about my impending alone time.
Oh I love the one with the bow on his head. My son turned 15 today so it is amazing how fast that time flies I can still remember a lot of his first.
What a beautiful post and I love all the pictures! So many firsts.. time flies by too 🙁
What a beautiful post!
Aw, this just made me tear up. My little guy is gearing up to take his first step and I know I will cry buckets when he says mama for the first time.
Thanks for the reminder to appreciate those little moments. I get so bogged down with executing good parenthood that I forget to enjoy it!
“the first time I got peed on.” Yep, that’s the mommy badge of honor right there 😉
What a beautiful post!!!
Aaah, these are so great! Yup, there are so many firsts!!
great post! made me tear up
Great photos! The firsts are wonderful!
This is a great post! It made me a little sad thinking of my little girls growing up…
Love this post! Great photos of your lil’ guy!
Can’t even begin to think about my little guy’s first day of school. Glad we’ve got a little while! =)
Love all the firsts and the pictures you have to capture those moments! 🙂
Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see
if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it
with someone!
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I’ll be coming back to your website for more soon.
My favorite photo is the newborn over your shoulder! Love how they always have that little mouth open, ready for a meal.
Thank you Anne! So true!