He was my first baby who made it to term. His was the first baby who emerged from my womb and cried that hearty cry. He was the first baby who peed on me, barfed on me and who sprayed mustard poop while being changed. He was the first baby with whom I got up every two hours in the night to nurse.
He was the first one with whom I wrestled with moving from milk to solids. He was the first one who was stung by a bee. He was the first one who held my fingers while he “walked.” He was the first one to take independent steps while I clapped and shouted acclamations.
He was the first to sprout baby teeth, to eat “grown-up” food, to sleep in a “big kid” bed.
He was the first one to take swimming lessons and move from level to level. He was the first one to go to preschool. He was the first one to be willing to pee on the toilet, but who needed bribery in order to get him to do a number two. He was the first one to go to school, to be thrown into a sea of new faces. He was the first to be rejected by “friends” and to experience heartbreak at the hands of others.
He was the first one who wiped his own bum.
He was the first to read, the first to write, the first to create his own stories.
He was the first to learn how to use the remote, the first to learn how to make scrambled eggs, the first to learn how to answer the phone and take messages, even.
This past weekend he broke me in a little bit more. My firstborn, my Graham, my baby is at camp for the next week. He’s sleeping in a bunk bed in a cabin two hours away from here. We drove there as a family and I would have lost it completely if Nathan and Emily had not beaten me to it. They tell us every thirty seconds or so that they miss Graham and I need to put on a brave face for them. I think.
All I know is that the cherub I birthed eight and a half years ago is sleeping in the woods two hours from here.
I miss him.
Aww, such a big milestone but I’m sure he is having a wonderful time! Ethan went on his first camp last year (on an ISLAND, during a STORM) and I felt the same as you … but they really do have so much fun, there’s probably not even enough time to miss home. I bet he’ll be excited to get back and tell you guys all about it though. HUGS!
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how very sweet.
i guess he broke you in just right.
i’m sure he’s loving it! and the return will be so awesome.
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This post made me a little tingly.
I did the whole kid-at-camp thing lasts week and it’s HARD, but good. The ride home from camp should be extra awesome with the stories from him and the I’M-SO-GLAD-YOU’RE-BACKs from the rest of you.
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Oh goodness, this almost gave me the big cry today! My heart starts pounding thinking about all these milestones. He will make amazing memories and hopefully you will just make it to the end of the week! LOVE the photo!
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Ooh, I loved this! Not the part about him being away, but all of those firsts. I feel the same way about my first baby.
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Awww, but he is going to have the most fabulous time!!
And looking at the big picture, this will make him a better person! You can do it mama!
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Aww… so sweet. I feel the same way when my oldest went off to school for the first time, because we haven’t even considered camp yet. I’m sure he’s having a great time.
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Such a sweet post, Ange. Print-worthy and for his memory box, I say.
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They grow up so fast! I got all teary when Finn rode his bike for the first time without training wheels. Next thing you know he’ll be going to college. Ouch.
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I feel for you because my oldest left for a week long camp on Saturday as well and it nearly killed me to watch him walk through security at the airport without me. I know he’ll have more fun than I can imagine but I miss him so very much. They’ll be home soon
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awwww…… sweetness
and good suggestion by @Amanda Brown – def print this one out w that wonderful pic for his memory box
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Also missing him: THIS GIRL.
(This was lovely, babe. Being an aunt, I feel like I now know a little bit more about the whole “heart walking around outside of your body” feeling that so many parents talk about. Obviously it’s not the same as being a MOM, but Great Odin’s Raven, I love this kid so much already and I have yet to even HOLD her.)
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i love this post! you are so amotional (in a good way).
and what a lovely photo of yours
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