Carson slept through the night at 5 months, Ella at 6 months. I remember thinking that life could only get better from this point forward. Sleep seemed like the ultimate reward.
Carson walked at 12 months, Ella at 15 months. I was certain that the children walking would make my life infinitely easier, we could go to the park! We could play outside without the worry of them crawling on the concrete or into fire ant hills.
Carson said Dada around 12 months, Ella said Mama around 14 months. Oh how sweet those words sounded. An even better reward than either Tate or I had imagined.
Both kids ate cake for the very first time on their first birthdays. They both loved it and I loved watching them get icing in their hair. Having made it one year with each kid, and they were both still intact and healthy felt like I’d accomplished the impossible.
(picture is actually from her 2nd birthday because I’m a terrible parent and cannot find any cake eating photos from her 1st birthday.)
Carson got his first tooth the day after his first birthday, Ella got her first teeth at 16 months. The kids getting their teeth was sad because I was going to miss their gummy grins, but it was also great that the FINALLY got teeth and people would stop asking me why my kids didn’t have teeth.
The first time I was ever away from the children overnight was in July 2008. It had been over 2 1/2 years since I’d spent a night without one ear open, listening for middle of the night wimpers. Who knew how much I’d miss them and crave to feel their little bodies in my arms and my lips against their foreheads?!
Carson’s first movie in a theater was when he was 3 years, 11 months old, Ella was 2 years, 5 months. The movie we saw was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. It was only the second time I’d been to a movie in over 3 years, 11 months. I had no idea I even missed going to movies, but when it’s been that long? The whole experience of going to the theater, sitting in the dark, eating buttered popcorn and gummy bears, it was even better getting to share it with my two favorite little people in the world. Their smiles widened as the lights were dimmed and sat quietly, enthralled, as they watched the whole movie.
This may very well go down as my greatest memory with them.
So far.
It’s so fun to look back at the milestones – they do just keep getting better and better.
Movies are fun – I take PK every once in a while but haven’t ventured out yet with the Bird.
.-= DesignHER Momma´s last blog ..No, I’m not trying to smuggle. =-.
I haven’t been to a movie theatre in at least 6 years. I’m scared to go with my kids.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..Weekend Winners Vol. 8: Pumpkins! Edition =-.
So the tickets are going in the baby books, right?
.-= lceel´s last blog ..Monday Meanders =-.
Isn’t it FUN taking them to the movies? Watching the folding seat eat them up cracks me up every time lol! We’ve learned about the booster seat though – not as much fun
I’m glad that it went so well for you. I enjoy taking my son to the theater too. We did a few free movies over the summer through Regal’s free Family Fest movies. That’s also where my son saw the advertisement for “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”. So we went to see that when it came out too. Cute! And the popcorn and excitement is so much fun. Glad you got to experience it too.
.-= Mommy Daisy´s last blog ..Birthday Bash! =-.
I wish! My oldest (almost 5) freaks out when we try to take her to the movies. I bet her 2 year old sister would love it.
.-= LZ @ My Messy Paradise´s last blog ..Mom of the Year* =-.
We took our kids this past Friday and it may well be one of my favorite memories, too. It was Monkey’s first movie at just over 3 years and the 3D part.. too cool. It was a family event and WONDERFUL.
LOve all those pics, Jennifer
.-= rachel-asouthernfairytale´s last blog ..Southwestern Pot Roast =-.
OMG, I can’t believe it’s been so long. I love seeing your babies as babies again. How are they growing up so fast?
.-= Shelly´s last blog ..Various Updates =-.
maybe it’s because i’m uber pregnant. but, i LOVE this post. it totally made me cry. awesome awesome awesome
.-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Sunday Citar. =-.
And I bet they just loved it tremendously, eh?
.-= patois´s last blog ..Thank God She’s Practical =-.
okay so I must be hormonal or something because I CHOKED UP READING THIS!! (could be all the smooshy baby pictures.)
We were just talking about whether or not Maggie is ready for a movie theater… we’re honestly not sure. Guess we’ll never know if we don’t try! heh
.-= Jen´s last blog ..weekly winners, volume 30 =-.
Thanks for reminding me that there’s still so much to look forward to . . . lifetimes of milestones.
We want to take our Bub (3.5 years) to the movies but plan to leave younger brother at home. We haven’t done it yet because my husband and I both want to be the one to take him!
.-= mep´s last blog ..Brown paper packages tied up with string . . . =-.
Oh the fact that your beautiful kids didn’t grow teeth until after they were a year gives me hope that I won’t be shopping for toddler dentures.
There’s something special about the movie theater. I’m so glad we have a dollar theater in our town!
.-= tracey´s last blog ..A Day In the City =-.
Awesome photos! My parents took my oldest to the movies for the first time years ago. She wasn’t a lover of how loud it was so we waited a long time for her to go again. Then I took her, just the two of us, to see Hannah Montana this spring, and it was so much fun. I’d like to take her and her brother to see something together, and am still trying to figure out what is appropriate given the 4 year age difference.
There are so many milestones and sometimes we get so caught up in the daily strife that we forget all about them until we’re experiencing them. Glad you had so much fun!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Smiling through the gray =-.
Yay… she liked it? I knew she would. I DMed you saying that we just took our toddler and she liked it. I love the movies. Im glad my kids do too. It’s a nice escape during the cold season.
And LOL. I dont have a photo of my eldest eating cake on his birthday. It was the pre-digital age and I have to scan everything in.
.-= OHmommy´s last blog ..My kids had processed sodium-filled pizza for dinner. =-.
I’m terrified of taking my boys and being THAT mom dragging her screaming kids out of the theater….so glad you had a good experience!
Your kids are beautiful. I do sort of hate this post though because it made me realize that I didn’t take a single picture of my daughter on her birthday this past Sunday. Crappity crap crap crap! But also I love it because, babies eating cake! Come on!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..But she’s still MY baby =-.
sweet post and beautiful photos!
ps. Sorry for another site question, but what’s this box about adding a link to follow on twitter all about?
.-= Andi @udandi´s last blog ..Halloween Link Dump =-.
We are holding out for the new Disney Princess movie…is that out yet? I’m such a bad mommy;P
Aww…how sweet and thanks to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Cute pictures. Milestones are fun. Each age and stage is rewarding in different ways and has different challenges.
so glad that your 1st movie going experience with them was a positive one.
I loved that book! Didn’t know they made it into a movie….was it good?
.-= Have the T-shirt´s last blog ..Selling Myself =-.
I’m glad you didn’t listen to me and my advice on Twitter! I’m glad you had a blast! I’m so glad for you, my friend.
.-= Secret Agent Mama´s last blog ..Swimming in the Sea of Darkness and Light =-.
Your kids are so beautiful. I so miss those days with young kids. On the other hand, in some ways it just keeps getting better and better. I love being a mom and I’ve loved every step of it along the way.
Carter and I went on a date to see that movie. We left Dad home with Hudson and went out.
It was so much fun taking him out, just the two of us. As much as I hate four, I really love it too.
.-= sam {temptingmama}´s last blog ..Cure JM =-.
I just discovered your blog. Very cute kids! It’s nice to read about someone else’s journey with two little ones close together. I’ll have to keep reading!
.-= Lindsey´s last blog ..This Too =-.
What a great post. My daughter is going to be 6 months this week. I can’t wait for all of the milestones that you talk about here. Thanks for sharing.
~ humps
.-= humpsNbump´s last blog ..A Great Grandmother =-.
I’m soooo glad that they enjoyed it!
.-= Connie @ Young and Relentless´s last blog ..Romy and Michelle go to SITScation 09 =-.