The First Last

A few years ago, a friend of mine told me about a book she read regarding raising babies. The premise is you never really pay attention to the "lasts," because you're so focused on experiencing the "firsts." I haven't read it, because frankly I don't know that I could get halfway through without bawling. The last time you breathe in her baby head smell, the last time her smile is really just because of gas, the last time the baby stays where you put her instead of scooting towards the closest toy, the last time she crawls, the last time you rock her to sleep.... but as they get older you start to notice the lasts. The last time she sleeps in her crib, the last time she mispronounces her sister's name because she can't say "Ls", the last time she drinks from a cup with a top, the last time you drop her off at preschool... you start to notice because those moments begin to pass so so quickly. Although having three, you barely notice anything about the third one- first or last.

As one of the two people who actually read my blog, you probably know that Mini Mouse is two years old. (Two years, one month, one week and two days to be exact). And you know that the only thing she likes more than the real Minnie Mouse is drinking Mommy Milk. As in, she'll flat out slap, hit and bite over it. And you also know that because of her extensive list of food allergies and sensitivities, I also have an extensive list of foods I avoid eating to keep her healthy. It's been over two years since I've tasted cheese, people. Don't ever listen if someone says having kids isn't a huge sacrifice. They're lying. (Or they've never nursed a demanding toddler with multiple food issues and gone two years without tasting pizza.)

I didn't really pay attention last night as I nursed her before bed. I should have noticed that it was the last time. I would have been more reverent, less in a hurry to get her to sleep; I would have cherished the moment because it really might have been the very last time I ever nurse one of my babies. I nursed my babies for a grand total of 55 months- over 4.5 years. I enjoyed almost every moment of it. I'd be lying if I said I loved every second of nursing- kind of like those little old ladies who approach you in the grocery store (when one of your kids is wailing, another one is throwing food out of the cart onto the floor, and the third one is giving you attitude about how lame it is to even have to go shopping) and she says, "My you have your hands full. You should enjoy every.single.second because before you know it, they'll be all grown up. I loved every.single.second of this age, don't you? Because they grow up so.fast. They won't be little for long. You really should be cherishing every single second, because mine are all grown up now and I'd give anything to be where you are just once more." And you're thinking, "Well, you're a liar. With a really bad memory about what it's really like raising toddlers."

There's a small chance that the next time I see a nursing mother, I might cry a little bit. And I might tell her to enjoy every.single.moment, because before she knows it, her baby will be holding up two little fingers and saying, "My a big girl- I five [she really said that] and I not drink milk because da milk is broken." I figured I had more time. I didn't realize she wouldn't be little for long. And that I might just give anything to be where I was, just once more.

Party Time!

 It's Mini Mouse's birthday party day! I'm finding it hard to believe this little munchkin is two years old, although we've been in the "terrible two" stages for months now. I wouldn't have it any other way.

And who knew when we picked her nickname, that she'd be totally obsessed with the real Minnie Mouse, so of course we had a Minnie Mouse themed birthday party.

We loved celebrating with you, darling, and can't wait to see what the next year brings. (I'm hoping a lot more sleep, seeing as you don't really like to do that very much.)

Im having a Bad Bad day...

Here we are all dressed up for one of LM's best friend's family's Halloween party. It was super fun. We were pretty much the only cool people there whose entire family dressed up. Where's the holiday spirit, people?

 Can you see the resemblance? The only thing we were missing were the automatic weapons. And minions. I could really use a few minions.

Boo to You

Thanks to my bestie, there is photo documentation that my kids experienced Halloween this year. I'm as good at taking their picture as I am at blogging these days. Since it's been- oh, over a year since my last real post- BigM is the witch, LM is the princess and MM is the incredibly-obstinate-wouldn't-wear-her-costume-but-she's-supposed-to-be-a-Purple-Minion.  I did get one picture of her wearing her costume for 30 seconds.

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch

Off the Charts

MM had her 18 (at 20m) appointment and she's as teensy as she's ever been. Here are the stats:

Weight: 20 lbs 12 oz (< 0%) This is the baby we used to call Chubs.
Height: 32.25" (50%)
Head: 18.75% (75%)

So yeah, good thing we call her Mini Mouse

Kindergarten Round Up

Today's the big day. LM gets to visit the Primary School in anticipation of the start of kindergarten in the fall. That's right, I said LM. When BigM had her turn to March to the Big School, I was still in the barfy stages of my pregnancy with MM and quite honestly, I was so distraught about m'babe being eligible for kindy that I couldn't even really function. I blame the pregnancy hormones, but if we're being honest, I was just not ready. (Doesn't matter that she totally was.)

They say the second kid always gets the shaft, but this time I don't think that's true. I can't wait to watch my middle girl discover the mystery of "BigM's school", for her to be the one in the spotlight for a few minutes. I'm a little sad thinking that she's big enough for kindergarten, because that just somehow doesn't seem right. But having done it before, I know that it's really going to be just fine (like all those well meaning people told me when BigM did it even though I wanted to punch them when they said that.) This time I won't be barely holding back tears when someone says, "Hello"- I'll be able to answer back without a quiver in my voice. And I'll smile sympathetically at the other moms who are doing this for the first time- because it is a REALLY BIG DEAL to send your firstborn off to kindergarten. I may bring some tissues for them and do a little hand squeezing as we walk down the now familiar halls. It's still a REALLY BIG DEAL to send any child to kindergarten, but this time I'm ready. I'm even in good enough shape to take her picture.

See you there, LM. Can't wait to watch you as you fly from our nest. Just don't leave too quickly.