We recently took a family trip to visit my in-laws in Snoqualmie, Washington. We had a wonderful, significant vacation with The Littlest E getting to spend good, quality time with his Grandpa, Nana and Aunt Annie who was visiting from Brooklyn. He also met some extended family for the first time (the subject of my next blog). Another significant thing about this trip was it was our last time staying at my in-laws’ home. In June, they’re moving to a retirement community in Auburn, WA. It’s the end of their Snoqualmie era and the beginning of a new adventure for my in-laws. On our last day, I made sure to take a picture of their home to have for memories.
My husband and I had a number of lovely visits in that home, two of which were with The Littlest E. This trip got me thinking about this and other lasts. A short time ago, we gave away our son’s highchair to a worthwhile charity Baby2Baby as he’s outgrown the chair. Tears welled up in my eyes when the highchair got picked up. We aren’t going to be adopting another infant so there was no need to keep the highchair around collecting dust in our crowded garage until the time for grandchildren is upon us. It’s better served in the home of a family in need. The thing is, I can’t remember for the life of me what The Littlest E ate his last time in his highchair.
When we brought our 12½-month old son home from Ethiopia, I kept diligent records of his firsts: first time standing up, first smile with us, first time walking, first time eating a new food, his first day of preschool. It never occurred to me to think about his lasts, and the lasts are equally important. I documented his last day with the child development specialist and his last day with the speech therapist because both days meant so much to my husband and me. Those women were instrumental in helping lay the groundwork for The Littlest E’s early development. He had no idea of their importance; he only knew he wouldn’t be playing with Vicki or Stephanie anymore.
Who knows if there’s a way to figure out the last diaper or pull-up change. That’s going to be an important date, for me especially. Soon, The Littlest E will be moving from his transitional preschool class of 3 hour days 2 days a week to attend preschool 4 days a week from 9-2. The school is throwing a special lunch for everyone on the kids’ last day of class. Again, tears well up and I am filled with emotion at the thought of my son getting older. I’ll only have him with me for a full day on Fridays. Once he goes to school more, it’ll be that way until high school, then college. This last day as a Ladybug, his class’ name, is significant. It’s the end and the beginning, the start of a new class year and the true beginning of a new educational adventure.
That’s life though. Time passes and we get older and our kids get older. It all goes by so quickly, doesn’t it? It seems like just yesterday my husband and I were nervous, new parents delicately holding our son for the first time in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and come August, we’ll have been parents for 2 years. It literally happens in the blink of an eye, a clichéd phrase, but entirely true. Before we know it, our son will be spending his last night in his bed at our home before he goes off to college.
There will be countless firsts and lasts throughout his childhood and adult life. I’m sure I won’t be able to get them all down on paper or in photos, but I’d like to try. Be in the now and fully present to experience it all, the firsts, the lasts, and the life that’s in between.
Images: sleep, Z L, Nina Stawski
It is the way of life. The forever turning. Children are such a vital lesson in that. The amazement, the letting go and the next movement to the next amazement. And it does in fact go by fast so it is good to savor the moments as they fly by. So good to see you all and to have such nice time together. Lots of love, Auntie Arrrrrrrrgh
Auntie Arrrrrrgh! So great to see you and thanks for posting a comment. I know you know that it all goes by so quickly what with K’s graduation coming up and M’s first year of college over. Wonderful seeing you all and looking forward to many visits. TLE loves saying Eye Love You!
Aw, now you’ve got me bawling! You’re right lasts are important—it’s just that they are so much sadder than firsts because they are the end of something. That’s why graduation is called “Commencement”—to remind us that the end of one thing is the beginning of something bigger. I’m so proud of you as a family and so glad you all found each other.
Hi Erin, thanks for reading the blog and posting a comment. Ah, yes, commencement. It can be sad, but it’s also the beginning of something bigger as you said. I’m going to remember TLE’s last day as a Ladybug and his first day as a Grasshopper! And soon, he’ll be participating in commencements. Now that’s a thought. Lots of love to you guys. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. xo