The Last First

I'm usually pretty good with milestones.

I'm not one to get choked up every time that my kids accomplish something for the first time.  Most of them just happen so quickly that you really don't have time to react.  I can remember vividly when Tyler rolled over for the first time, it was over nine years ago now.  I can also remember when Carter took his first steps six years ago this March.  Those firsts were great.  But I've noticed something though as my kids get older.

While the first firsts were met with excitement, it's the last firsts that leave me with sadness.

This smile is changing forever

Every time that Tyler passed a milestone I knew that it wouldn't be the last time that it happened.  With a younger brother we would be going through the same thing a couple of years later. As Carter gets older though it's beginning to hit me that certain things just aren't going to happen ever again.

Carter is about to lose his two front teeth.

When it happened to Tyler, I did feel like he was getting older but nothing like I am feeling with Carter. Maybe it would be different if there was a third kid, but there isn't going to be a third kid.  Every time something happens to Carter, it's going to be the last time it happens in our family.

There will be a lot more last firsts - girlfriends, college, getting married, having kids of their own - I just don't know that I am ready for them quite yet.    

John Willey - Daddy's in Charge?

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