LAST, BUT NOT LEAST

In my circle of friends, I was one of the last to be a "Mommy". There were times I felt left out. Like when a child had a birthday party, I was the only adult without a baby. At times, I felt awkward. I couldn't talk about bedtime routines so I'd smile and nod. Yes, there were days where I even felt clueless. My mama friends spoke of Stage 1 baby cereals and how Gymboree clothes fit their baby. I was focused on All-You-Can-Eat sushi places and how End of Season jackets fit me.

Now however, I see the advantage of being last. It's actually not so bad, and in fact, very good. Why, you ask? Well, after so many years of listening to the wisdom of my girlfriends, I've picked up a few things. As if by osmosis, I've learned through their experiences. Their mistakes have become my lessons. In fact, being one of the last mamas in my group has its benefits.

Here are four lessons I learned from my girls and they don't even know it:

1) Be patient before filling up your house with huge boxes of diapers. I didn't stock up even though there were many (hard to resist) sales during my pregnancy. I had to see which brand suited my baby best...turns out, she's a Pampers girl!

2) Buy a few toys in the beginning. You don't know what your baby will be attracted to. If you can't resist purchasing though, rotate the toys every week so your baby will constantly be stimulated by something new.

3) Family will always want to give you advice. Be polite and listen, BUT you don't have to take it.

4) Breastfeeding is recommended, however, if it doesn't happen for you, DON'T put extra pressure on yourself. Feed for three months, six months, or beyond a year. It's your choice. Not breastfeeding? Multi-billion dollar companies created formula for this reason. Don't stress.

For those and many more tidbits of information, this is a thank you to my wonderful girlfriends (a lot of whom are Hip Teacher Mamas themselves) who taught me to be a better mama just by being around.

SADLY THERE IS ONLY ONE FIRST

I remember how I first felt when the blood test confirmed I was pregnant. I remember the first fuzzy ultrasound photo and the sound of her heart beating. I remember the first time I held my tiny daughter in my arms. It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. The first smile, giggle, and squeal all seem so long ago.

Today, my daughter is over five months old and I wonder just how those days flew by so quickly. My friends all warned me that this would happen especially in the first year. A few sleepless nights and several hundred diaper changes later, so many firsts have come and gone. I want to have those firsts again, but sadly, they are firsts for a reason.

I know there have been many special moments and there will be more to come. I've got numerous Facebook comments and photos on my laptop to attest to that. There are a hundred videos of her on the playmat, licking her plastic rings, and drooling all over the couch. I watch those clips often because I just can't believe how much she has grown. Wasn't I just in the hospital? I thought we just sent out the birth announcement.

In the next couple of months, I know to expect the first time she can sit completely on her own without keeling over in two minutes. I'll be there to witness the first time she'll take the bottle willingly because currently she is stubborn as heck and the sight of it sends her into a tizzy. I hope to hear her first words soon and maybe they'll resemble "Mama." There will be a day when she will crawl across the floor and throw herself into my arms.

As much as I can't wait for the day that I don't have to lug out the heavy stroller with the car seat and she can walk on her own, I also want things to slow down. I want to relive her firsts over and over again.

For all you moms out there (first or otherwise), treasure each and every moment you have with your baby. Time does fly when you are having fun, but with a baby, it goes by the speed of light.