Life
I was laid off when I was pregnant, so I didn't have a job to go back to after having my baby. One benefit, or so I thought, was that I would see my baby's firsts as they happened. My baby, on the other hand, seemed to think it would be hilarious to wait every time until I was out of the room — grabbing a rare nap or fixing dinner— before doing something amazing for the very first time. However, for me and (I'd argue) every other parent on the planet, the moment their baby said their first word will always be memorable.
I missed my sneaky baby's first, second, and third attempt at walking, so to say I was a little bummed out by the time a real word was in the cards is a gross understatement. In fact, I started to think it was all a conspiracy to deprive me of these magic moments. Then it happened: his very first word, said to me and only me. The word? "Boo!" That simply, one syllable word was accompanied by outstretched arms and a concerted effort to scare me. (Maybe it's not even considered a word to some people, but I was ecstatic.)
Baby firsts are one of the most satisfying things about parenting. Those moments when you see your babe do something for the very first time are a chance to realize that your baby is truly growing, developing and changing into the wonderful person you know they will become: all because of you. That's a pretty amazing feeling, to know that all your hard work, dedication, and sleepless nights are paying off in a big, big way. So, with that in mind, here's what a few moms felt when their baby said their first word:
Katie
"I was bouncing my baby on my knee and he was giggling. Then, all of a sudden he looked a bit sick, and said clearly, 'No.' It was so hilarious because it seemed so grown up!"
Lauren
"My daughters first word was 'noo noo,' which is our family word for vagina. She even pointed at it, and I was pretty proud!"
Kazim
"My son saw his father every three to four weeks, after a really nasty divorce. I was his sole caregiver, provided every thing for him and received nothing from his dad and his first word was 'daddy'. Go figure!"
Sara
"I had a really hard time getting pregnant and then had three miscarriages before my son was born. His first word was 'mama' and it was the sweetest sound I ever heard."
Vanessa
"We have twin girls and my boyfriend and I had been trying really hard to get them to say "mom' and 'dad.' It had become a little competition and we were both betting they would say our title first.
Then one day they were sitting on the floor next to each other and one of them said 'mama' and her sister looked at her and immediately said 'dada'. It was perfect!"
Jo
"My baby's first word was 'ball' and as a 2-year-old toddler, it's still his favorite toy."
Violet
"My son's first word was 'cookie.' That sounds bad, like it's all he ever ate, but really it's because he had a stuffed cookie monster toy. Oh, and we like cookies, too!"
Anna
"My girlfriend and I hadn't yet decided what we wanted our baby to call me, I didn't want to be 'mom' but I wanted a mom-type role.
In the end her first word was "nanna" which we think was her trying to say my name, Anna. It stuck and now she has a 'mom' and a 'Nanna'."
Aria
"My baby's first word was 'bye bye' and coincided with my return to work after a year of maternity leave. It was both heartbreaking and exciting at the same time."
Sally
"I was babysitting my friend's newborn and my daughter who had just turned one was besotted with him. She kept stroking his little face and then suddenly said 'baby.' Her very first word."
Genievieve
"My son is obsessed with trains. His first word was said at a train stage show and he loudly shouted out, 'choo choo.' Everyone clapped and cheered!
Maria
"My daughter didn't speak a word for the first two years of her life. We were really concerned and were starting to look into speech therapists when, out of the blue, one morning she said, 'Toes, peas.' Which we worked out was her trying to say, 'Toast, please.'
From then on she skipped the first stage and went straight into full sentences."
