While traditional baby books celebrate the usual milestones—like first steps and first haircuts—there are many more memorable moments that resonate with moms. Here are 25 early milestones that deserve recognition:
- The first time they managed to wipe themselves.
- The moment they figured out how to navigate Netflix for their favorite cartoons without your help.
- That glorious morning when you instructed them to fetch their own cereal, and they actually did it while you lounged in bed.
- The evening they took a bath on their own, and everything went smoothly.
- THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
- The day your oldest child could watch the baby for five minutes while you snuck in a quick shower.
- The episode that made your 4-year-old realize Caillou is the most annoying character ever, validating your suggestion to try Bob’s Burgers instead.
- The first time you enjoyed some bathroom privacy.
- The day you and your partner had an uninterrupted moment together, sans baby cries in the background.
- The day you finally ditched the diapers for good.
- The day you said goodbye to sippy cups and their endless lids and rubber components.
- The first family movie outing where everyone behaved, allowing you to enjoy the film.
- The day you managed to zip up your pre-baby jeans.
- The moment you accepted that frozen pizza counts as a legitimate dinner option.
- The first time you truly enjoyed intimacy with your partner without a baby interrupting.
- The day you decided you didn’t care about your “I-just-rolled-out-of-bed” outfit, and Walmart still welcomed you.
- The first time you strolled through Target freely, no kids in tow.
- The first girls’ night out post-baby, where one glass of wine led to hilarious oversharing, and you lasted an hour before your boobs started leaking.
- The day your first child realized that the second child was here to stay.
- The moment you granted yourself permission to stop breastfeeding.
- The first sip of cabernet after 40 weeks of being alcohol-free during pregnancy.
- The first diaper your partner changed entirely on their own (even if it was on backward, you secretly fixed it before any disasters).
- That blissful five-hour stretch of sleep you finally got after welcoming your baby.
- Your first date night after becoming a parent, where all you could think about was heading home.
- The moment your child’s bright eyes and sticky smile turned toward you, reminding you how worth it this whole journey is.
While I cherish the traditional milestones like rolling over or mastering riding a bike, it’s the crazy, messy, and sometimes boozy moments that truly linger in my mind. I may not be scrapbooking these memories, but they hold just as much significance. Someday, when my kids become parents, I’ll be ready with a glass of wine and a frozen pizza, as detailed in our post about the home insemination kit.
For more insights into the complexities of pregnancy, check out this comprehensive resource that covers everything you need to know after a tubal ligation. Additionally, if you’re interested in the science behind IVF, visit this excellent resource for further information.
Summary: This article highlights 25 early parenting milestones that go beyond the typical firsts, celebrating the messy, chaotic, and joyous moments that truly define the parenting experience.