As a new mom to a 7 month old, I have taken a whole new look at life. Right now, it’s a life of firsts. I love looking back on all that he has accomplished for the first time in his short life.

The most precious of the firsts include his first breath of air (at the hospital) and first car ride home (from the hospital). Then comes the excitement of the developmental firsts that everyone loves: Rolling over for the first time or batting a toy in the play gym. Smiling at the acknowledgment of my face or laughing as he sits on my tummy watching me do crunches (how cruel is that!). Grabbing his feet, babbling, getting up on his knees (crawling here we come!) or breaking his first tooth (or two teeth in three days in our case). Taking his first bottle (during bedtime feeding with dad) or having his first bite of solid food, and every first taste of new food after that. Sleeping through the night for the first time (and the first time he DIDN’T once I was used to uninterrupted sleep).  

And then there are those firsts that make me cringe: The first time I made him bleed (trying to cut those razor sharp ‘claws’) or pinched his finger (in the carseat buckle). Ugh – the first time he peed on me (if you have boy you know what I mean!) or his first bonk on the head from trying new movements (the hazards of hardwood floors).  

Last but not least, I love the firsts that we initiate: His first bath or night in a crib. His first snowshoe hike or swim in a pool. His first plane ride (to see family in Texas) or first road trip (to see dad run a half-marathon). His first rodeo and trip to the beach. His first ‘jog’ (with dad), grocery cart ride, or experience with paint (that was fun). And, of course, his first Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter…I truly love firsts!

I do not have a photographic memory, especially now, and I am definitely not organized enough to have a baby book (I have piles of mementos in a box). But, I have documented all of these milestones either with my camera or in my ‘file of firsts’. I am shutter happy when it comes to his firsts, so my photos are organized by month and sometimes captioned to help me remember what was going on. I share a link to the good ones with family members so they can see what he has been up to (the grandparents LOVE this).

My ‘file of firsts’ is not high-tech at all. In fact, it’s just a recipe box with index cards. That’s right! I keep a small index card box with blank cards and a pen (so I don’t have to go hunt for one) and write down the ‘first’ and date that it happened. Rarely do I fill out a card right when the ‘first’ happens. More often I do it later, as I reflect on the day while brushing my teeth, but sometimes I am too tired or forget. I have been known to document a ‘first’ a few days after (when I remember). I love this method for the sole fact that if I ever do become a scrapbooker (don’t hold your breath) I have all the info I need to create a great baby book. I have a few friends who use this method but call it their ‘smile file’, where they document things their children do that make them smile. I think this file is more pertinent with children as they get older, to document the funny things they say or do, and how they view life as a child. I suspect my ‘file of firsts’ will morph into a ‘smile file’ in the coming years. My hope is that I can keep up with photo documenting and my ‘file of firsts’ as my family grows! Keep your fingers crossed!  

And HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!