December 26, 2011–2011′s Firsts
It’s not often that we think about what we have done for the first time. In truth, most of us probably dwell on the things that we are having to do over and over again. I’m glad that Bridget at Twinisms proposed this theme for this week’s Listicles (link up every Monday with the gang–it’s a great way to start your week!) because it forced me into a retrospective of my year and made me realize, it was really darn good! On to the list:
10. Our daughter said her brother’s name for the first time–sort of. She went through a period where she only said the first syllable of words, and so for a few months, her brother was “Mi.” And she loved to call him, sometimes with excitement, sometimes (especially from her crib) plaintively, but always LOUDLY and REPETITIVELY.
9. Our son rode his bike for the first time. Really rode it, without training wheels.
8. Our son crashed his bike for the first time. In some ways, the crashing was more impressive to me than the riding. You can read about it here.
7. We put Gloria’s dream into action and created Fabulosokids, and as a result of that, this blog.
6. Our son asked a question that seemed adult. It shocked me and made me proud at the same time. It was during a discussion of baptism for Catalina and he asked the pastor “Why did Jesus need to be baptized?” It was so insightful and exhibited such depth of understanding that I realized he had turned a cognitive corner.
4. I got a brand new Chevy car. My first car, which I got 31 years ago and which was NOT new by any stretch of the imagination, was also a Chevy–a Nova. At the time, I kind of assumed that I would always drive Chevys, a long succession of brand new shiny Impalas in the tradition of my grandfather in fact, but in reality, it took nearly half a century for me to get one. It’s a Malibu, not an Impala and it’s a company car, but nonetheless, it’s my first shiny new Chevy.
3. Our daughter got her ears pierced. She LOVES her little rhinestone studs and asks everyone who will listen (numerous times each day, by the way) “Do you like my earrings?” ¿Te gusta mis aretes? And yes, she’s two. She insisted that she get earrings, even knowing that it was going to hurt. The most disturbing part of the process for her was that the lady drew on her ears with a pen–to mark the spot of the pierce–which even our daughter knows is not right. Only paper is for drawing 
2. Our son spoke in public. He played the role of Simón Bolivar at his school timeline and said his lines in front of about 250 staring adults. He did wonderfully, and enjoyed the experience so well that he gleefully wore his Bolivar costume for Halloween.
1. I made friends with people who I have never met, whose voices I have never heard, but who exhibit such generosity and such humanity that I find myself wondering why it is that I never meet people like all of you in real life. If nothing else, this Fabulosokids experience and the blogging and tweeting and facebooking and linking that goes along with it have given me an entirely new perspective, and I thank each and every one of you for it.
Congrats on starting fabulosokids! It sounds like 2011 was a great year and I hope 2012 is equally as wonderful!
Thanks! Truth be told, I think almost every year of my life has been a great year–even the ones that weren’t a ton of fun were valuable and led me on to where I am now. I think every year now–and maybe every month–I’m going to conduct an inventory of “firsts” like this list just to remind myself how awesome my life really is. Not that I’m especially blessed–I just think that if any one of us reminds ourselves of the positives that are taking place, we’ll realize that things aren’t as bad as we sometimes make them seem, and that in fact they’re pretty magical.
This is going to sound weird. When I was younger, I totally had a thing for guys who drove Nova’s! My neighbor, who was in high school when I was in the 5th grade had one. He was hawt! So, Nova thing. I’m glad you finally got yours!
Thanks for the shout out-even if it wasn’t my idea! This week was all that fabulous Stasha!!
OMG!! Why did no one tell me that as well as gradually losing my sight, hearing and memory during my 40′s, I would also begin to lose my ability to comprehend what i read?……..Or wait–maybe someone did and I just don’t remember it. Thanks for correcting my blunder Bridget.
Also, nothing weird about it–guys who drove Novas were/are hawt! All girls melted just at the sight of my rusting, trim-piece missing, front seat replaced with a reasonable facsimile from the junkyard jalopy. Especially when it dieseled and then produced what sounded like a cannon shot after having been turned off, ala Uncle Buck. Have no fear–your girlish fascination was normal. Perfectly normal.
I love it when kids ride a bike for the first time without training wheels. I’m still trying to convince my nephew that he can do it. This is a great list of firsts for 2011!
Thanks Jacqui! You’re right–getting them past the fear and convincing them that they can do it–can do anything!–is the hardest part.
What an insightful question, “why did Jesus need to be baptized?”
Holy cow – seriously. The things kids say!
Ella just asked me who the god of Texas is. (-:
He stunned me a number of years ago with another religious question After reading the story of Noah, he said “The water killed everything, right?” to which I answered “Everything” His next question was “Then where did the bird get the tree branch?”
It was the first time I understood why my parents got mad at me for asking questions.
You son sounds like an incredible young man! Great firsts and Gloria’s company is amazing site full of treasures!
Thank you Stasha Yeah, he’s a pretty awesome little guy who I hope some day will grow into a pretty awesome big guy! Thanks for the nod to Fabulosokids, too–I appreciate it.
What a great way to remember the year…so many firsts for our little ones!
Incredible the changes that they go through in a year, isn’t it?
The first bike ride and crash… I remember that!
Your daughter sounds like such a smart cutie