Baby's First Steps

This past April, my baby took his first steps. Three, to be exact. It broke my heart.

I remember how excited I was when my daughter (who is now 6) took her first steps. We immediately called all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends . . . our little girl was "on her way."

And then, our first son (now 2) took his first steps. That was exciting, too. We clapped and cheered and sent out an email or two. I felt a pang of sadness at the thought he was growing up, but . . . it wasn't as if I'd never again experience this kind of moment with another child.

But my baby? How could this be happening already? Didn't I just bring him home from the hospital? Doesn't he know he's not supposed to do things quite so quickly? Did no one tell him that his mommy isn't ready for him to grow up? What's the big rush?

And why, did no one tell me, that as exciting as it was to see my first child reach those monumental moments in her life, it would be just as sad to witness my last child achieve those same milestones.

It's not that I want him to have any less, do any less, be any less.

It's just that I am not ready to let him go.