My daughter turns three in just over a week and we are making arrangements for her to start preschool. It occurred to me that this is the last time I’m going to do this. She’s the last of our three kids to start nursery and never again will we go through all the emotions that go with it.
It made me think of all the other “lasts” that have been and gone. We spend so much time focusing on all the firsts, that the lasts go almost unnoticed. In our rush to hit the next milestone we don’t stop to realise we’re never going to have these moments again.
As Anna is our final child, these aren’t just our last times with her, they’re the last times EVER. And that brings a lump to my throat. Never again am I going to be the mother of a newborn. Never again will I wean a baby. And now never again will I have a two year old
I have been guilty of looking forward to Anna being a bit older and hopefully (fingers crossed!) slightly less demanding. I now wish I’d spent more time enjoying the present.
There were so many lasts that went unnoticed. Those moments I didn’t realise would never happen again.
The last time she needed rocking to sleep. At the time I was praying that night would be the one she finally settled on her own. Obviously that night did come and now I can’t help thinking how much I would love to cuddle her to sleep now, but being the independent diva she is, she won’t let me!
There was the last time she fell asleep on my shoulder so I could inhale that sweet new baby smell. I’ll never again hold a child of my own like that, my cheek resting on top of their fluffy little head.
I remember how she would cruise around the lounge holding onto the furniture. Before I knew it she was toddling up and down the stairs and careering round at break neck speed.
The last time she used the word “coo” instead of cuddle. The last time she wore a baby grow or the last time she drank from a beaker.
The list is endless.
I wish I’d cherished those moments, held her a little tighter, cuddled her a little longer. Enjoyed that feeling of being completely needed.
It’s made me realise we need to slow down. We need to stop being in such a rush to watch our children hit the next milestone and just enjoy these moments.
This made me a bit emotional as I completely understand what you mean. Small Boy is now two and the thought of all his firsts and lasts being all my lasts (there won’t be any more children) makes me feel quite sad. Every stage and age so far has been my favourite but it’s all going too quickly #bloggerpinparty
Beautiful post. My second child is also our last so I know where you are coming from. Thanks for joining #bloggerpinparty
This is lovely. The lasts really are important. Our last child is also turning 3 next week and I have been thinking about many of these things too. It is very bittersweet.
Awww this has brought a tear to my eye, I want to rewind time!! I’ve got a baby on the way & he will be the last so I need to try & treasure these moments more x
Oh no, now I am sad. My daughter is 3 and starts school this year. Even though she is my only child, I fret that she may be my ONLY child. It is so important to cherish all these last little moments.
Oh I’ve got so emotional reading this, as I’m there too. My youngest daughter is 7 months and changing everyday, whilst my eldest daughter is busy flourishing as she is almost three 🙂
Great post! It’s very important to embrace and cherish all moments in life. No matter how big or small 🙂
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I believe my little guy will be my first and last, but that makes all those little moments all the more special.
I can so relate to this, my third and final child is three and I spent so much time wishing he would be less demanding. Now he is three and at nursery and I miss the baby days so much and wish I had enjoyed them a little bit more x
I’m on my last baby too and any time I feel like rushing him to potty train or walk more so I can carry him less, I remind myself that I will miss this so much as he does get older. Such a sweet post!
Oh! This is so precious! My first just turned one and we’re talking about number 2. All of the firsts and lasts with this one make me sentimental, but I can’t imagine with the last one! Oh this makes my uterus ache a bit! Thanks for sharing and reminding us all to live in the moment and soak in the precious times.
#Blogstravaganza
Oh nooooo!!! I am going through the last firsts right now. My youngest (and last) is 9 months this month and I’m dreading her growing up as much as I’m looking forward to watching her develop.
I was thinking this just this afternoon as Kipper finally gave into sleep and let me hold him as he napped. Naps are few and far between now and since I work during the day most days I need to cherish it when it happens. Thank you for the reminder x
My two were born very close together and so I’ve noticed so many baby lasts that have come and gone in a flash. It’s left me feeling so broody! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
I so agree with you that we need to actually slow down and let our kids grow at there own pace and we relax and enjoy each moment with them.
I was actually thinking about this a few days back, the other way round. Remember, we were kids once and there was one time when our parents put us down and never lifted us again?!!!
Love this post. I also have three children and my youngest started preschool in January. Feels as though time is suddenly flying! Thanks for linking up with #Blogstravaganza 🙂
I am not there just yet but I do treat each of them as they are my last, you never know. They grow up so fast.
Completely agree! My youngest turns four in May;( I’ll be a soppy mess at the school gates in Sept!
Gosh you are so right. I have done a series for the last three years now called “Month of Firsts” I hadn’t thought to include the lasts. Feel very disappointed in myself now. I guess it is never too late to start #HoneybeeLinky
Lovely post, my little boy turns 3 next month and like you, I can feel all those last moments just slipping away. How fast time flies and I regret sometimes how I haven’t made a big deal out of the little things. I’m going to have to start properly cherishing those first and lasts from now on. #DreamTeam
We just had our last (probably) holiday as a family of 5. I kept noticing the wonderful moments where everyone got a long and we all had fun – all these precious snapshots in my mind. My friend said “you’re so lucky – I didn’t realise our last holiday all together was last year”. (Her 18 year old left a few days in and went back to his friends). But the lasts are also a new first in a way too….#Dreamteam
With like this idea. As babies we do tend to be constantly moving our kids forward to first. You’ll find as they get older you will look at lasts… Last day at junior school, last time they need a mums taxi, last time they want a bedtime story, day of high school….
Made me tear up as I expected it would. We’re considering our family being complete now that we have a daughter + son. While I’m pretty positive I don’t want a newborn again, it is sad to think I won’t have those little cuddles and kisses whenever I want. In some regards, the lasts are more special than the firsts.
#dreamteam
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
I have felt like this every time my little girl hit a first as I knew that we weren’t going to have any more children. It made the ling nights a little easier to manage. She wakes up about 530 and then comes into bed with us and we co-sleep which is probably the nicest time now as she is too independent the rest of the time #HoneybeeLinky
Jen I felt every word of this. So many of the things that we take for granted each day can be a last without us realising. But I like to think that parenthood will continue to provide us with firsts for many years to come. ? Thanks for linking this with us at #DreamTeam x
I can TOTALLY relate to this! My younger son celebrated his first birthday on the weekend and while I am looking forward to him starting his second year of live, Ive been on and off in floods of tears and feeling some sadness as he is my last baby and ill never have them first moments again! #Globalblogging
Oh this just made me so sad. You’re right though, we are always looking forward and maybe we should be enjoying the moment we are in more. #GlobalBlogging
This has made me a bit emotional. my baby is 10 months old and she is our third and (100% this time!) final baby. She isn’t easy so I am constantly wishing for the next stage but even now, I look back and realise that never again will I have the newborn sleepy on chest snuggles (well not with my own child anyway) and that made me a bit sad. #FortheloveofBLOG
Oooh this is a lovely and very moving post. I get vere emotional about the lasts, much more than the firsts. I remember vividly the last time I breastfed the twins… I wasn’t particularly wedded to breastfeeding but did find that a really emotional moment. Great post. #fortheloveofBLOG xx
Life is ultimately about making memories and celebrating moments. Everything else is basically nonsense and passes with time. Memories sustain us and those who follow us. A very wise post from you today. #BigPinkLink
I loved reading this post… actually got a lump in my throat just thinking about it. You are so right – we are so preoccupied with them reaching the next milestones and gaining independence, that we often don’t enjoy the present moments. This post has really woken me up!!! Needed to read it.
#fortheloveofBLOG
Oh my gosh I can so totally relate to this post! I have felt exactly the same way about my second child. For all the tears I shed wishing she would sleep in the middle of the night, I do miss those newborn baby cuddles! Thanks for sharing with #fortheloveofBLOG