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.
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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!