Your first.

I logged onto facebook earlier

(Hi, my name is Tracy. I have a problem)

and saw a post from a friend that she is pregnant. It is her first time!

This got me to thinking of the joys of being a first time parent.

DISCLAIMER!!! {{Now, before I continue, if you know me, you know I am ESTATIC to have 4 children, I love them all, thank God for them daily and would NOT want my life any other way}}

B.U.T............................................................................................................................

Those of you with children >1 you can agree with what I am about to say.

B.U.T.............................................................................................................................

Do you remember the joy of just one? The easiness and the thinking it wasn't so easy? Do you remember loving doing their laundry? Arguing over who was lucky enough to change their cute little diapers this time? Enjoying every sound/squeak that came from their body? Giggling at their messes, all of them? Embracing the middle of the night feeding...again? Sleeping when they slept? Going places and showing them off? Just going places with ease? Playing for, err, with them? Just staring at them for hours on end? The new baby smell? Bath time? The nervousness of leaving the hospital, their first illness, car ride, feeding, time away from you? The fear of strangers looking and God forbid touching? Thinking no one is as good as you (even with 4, I still think this for the record)!

There is a special bond, there always will be.

They were your 1st. The ones that taught you a nuclear bomb could go off next to your bed and you could sleep through it, but the squeaky toot of the baby lying next to you woke you up before it was even complete.

They were your 1st. The ones who made you go next door, demand the neighbor pull up their new rose bush because there was a foul smell in the neighborhood only to make you realize that foul smell was coming from your bundle of joy!

They were your 1st. The one who never got called to be seen at the pediatricians office because you signed your own name. The next time you signed theirs, but you didn't recognize the name they were calling because you forgot where you were and why. Finally, you know who you are, you know who your baby is, but by the time the call you back you are sleeping!

They were your 1st. The one that taught you sleep deprivation really does not kill a person!

They were your 1st. The one that stole your heart and made you wonder if you could love anyone else this way. They made you think that there was no way your parents loved you this much or surely they would have never spanked you!!!

They were your 1st. The golden child (usually) that tricked you into having more.

They were your 1st. Your 1st real true love. Your 1st real taste of being a grown-up. Your 1st real understanding of "I'd give my life for......" and "I'd kill them if they hurt my kid........"

They were your 1st. The one that taught you fever's aren't bad. You can choke on your own spit when you inhale too quickly over your fear of their fall. Hair dye is your new best friend. AND. maybe your mom does know something.

The first time you become a parent is magical, special, wonderful, joyous, and everything right with the world!!!!

So, whether you have 1, 4, 8 or more (you really need a new hobby;). Your 1st will always be uniquely special. Go give them a hug and a kiss!!!! If they let you, if not, they will have a 1st one day, then they will understand!

Brenda - if you read this, congrats! Enjoy the next 8 months, they will last forever and go very quick!!!!