First time...last time

I started reading back over the blog and I quickly noticed how much more I posted about things when Camden was little than I am about Alison. It's not that I'm failing to capture photos and video or not writing down things to scrapbook later, it just that I'm not getting around to uploading, writing, and publishing the blog like I should.

I know Alison will probably hold it over my head later...giving me grief for not "caring" about her firsts like I did Camden's. While it is true that everything isn't "new" like it was when he was rolling over, sitting up, cutting teeth, pooping all over everything (see the post from 6/2/08 if you need a refresher on Camden's first poop fiasco) it is still exciting to see it happen for her. She's so pumped that she can sit up now and watch Camden as he makes laps in the house...she just laughs and laughs every time he runs past her. She's hates anything and everything we try to feed her from a spoon...but she can down 8 ounces of milk in about 3.7 seconds - at some point we're going to have to make her learn to eat solids whether she likes it or not. And, she's also got a tooth that's all but broken through her bottom right front gum...which is evidently painful judging from the attitude she's had the past couple of days. 

I love having a couple of days a week to spend with just her as Camden attends Mother's Day Out at our church. It's nice to run some errands with only one kid in tow or to come home and clean the house or do laundry without having to swat a tiny human off of my neatly folded stack of towels...but my favorite thing about MDO is having time to just snuggle, coo and make googly eyes at her while she lays next to me grinning and repeatedly saying, "Da-da" over and over again (Ryan's eating that part up!).

I had a thought just the other day that was kinda sad but special in its own kind of way - the thing that I realized makes posting about Alison's "firsts" just as important. As you may or may not be aware...Ryan and I are not planning to have any more kids. It's something that we've prayed about, talked about, etc. and we feel a great sense of peace about having "just" two kids. Of course, if down the road we feel like God is calling us to something different...we'll be obedient to that call - but as for now, we feel as though our family is complete.

So, in light of the fact that Alison is (most likely) our "last" kid...my thought was that not only am I documenting her "firsts" but I am also simultaneously documenting our "lasts" - several of which we've already experienced...the last time we deal with middle of the night feedings...the last time I carry the bucket seat around...the last time I buy a pack of newborn diapers. Some lasts are just around the corner...the last time I change a diaper...the last time I put a kid to bed in a crib (although if she's anything like her brother, it'll be several years...he's still there and hasn't tried to climb out yet)...the last time I feed a bottle...etc, etc, etc.

And it's not just the "lasts" that I've thought of...it's also the list of "last firsts" that have me thinking too...the last time it's the first time she rolls over...the last time it's the first time she eats solid food...the last time it's the first time she says "mommy" or "daddy"...the last time it's her first day of school...the last time it's the first time some idiot boy breaks her heart...the last time it's her first time behind the wheel...the last time is the first time she visits a college she's thinking about going to...the last time it's the first time she brings home the man that will someday be her husband.

I think what happens is that it's easy to capture the "firsts" - and while the lasts are just as important, you don't realize that's when it was until the time, the moment, the season of life has come and gone. And while I am taking pictures and getting a video recorded now and then and I am writing down things to remember to scrapbook later...I know there are some of you (especially the grandparents) who want to see these "last firsts" too. I had planned to make blogging regularly my New Year's Resolution...but since so much will happen between now and then...I am making it my "November 10th Resolution" instead. I know you've heard this pledge before...but now that I have had my "ah-ha" moment I promise - not you and not me, but Alison - that I will do better.

And if it saves me a little grief through her teenage years by not giving her any additional ammunition to use against me, well that's just a bonus. :o)