Every parent looks forward to the next stage of growth, but be warned — these milestones are not all they are cracked up to be.
1. Sleeping in his own crib
Image: Giphy.com
You move your little guy from a bassinet in your room to his very own crib down the hall. My, how time flies… Here's what you can really expect: Nonstop crying and whimpering coupled with your crippling anxiety as you keep your eyes locked on the video monitor all night long.
2. Holding a rattle
Image: Giphy.com
The first time that your baby learns to grasp an object and play with it is kind of a big deal. Please remember this precious moment when you have an 18-month-old toddler who likes to hit you with LEGOs.
3. Learning to roll over
Image: Giphy.com
As cute as it might be, rolling over is just one step closer to the terror that is a crawling baby.
4. Eating solids
Image: Giphy.com
Aw, your widdle bundle of joy is eating real people food! Fast-forward two months later, and he will be throwing globs of it on the floor with abandon.
5. Learning to crawl
Image: Giphy.com
Can you believe he's crawling already? You'll believe it when the exhaustion sets in after chasing your active crawler around the living room for hours.
6. Cutting his first tooth
Image: Giphy.com
Don't worry — your excited wonderment will soon wear off when you realize that teething equals nonstop crying, diarrhea and irritability.
7. Saying his first word
Image: Giphy.com
This might just be the most special milestone for a parent, but it's also the most dangerous. In two short years, you'll be wishing he had just one word in his extensive vocabulary.
8. Learning to walk
Image: Giphy.com
Every parent clamors to catch this joyous milestone on video. Savor it — before you find out the hard way that a walking toddler means your house will never look the same again.
9. Learning to climb
Image: Giphy.com
Let's be real — there is not one sane parent out there who thinks that a climbing toddler is adorable. Not a one.
10. Learning to run
Image: Giphy.com
"Wow, he's so strong and so fast. He must get that from his father." You might have to wipe that smug smile off your face when you lose your sprinting toddler at the grocery store yet again.
More on parenting
When parenting gets too hard, sometimes you just have to reset
Birth show ideas inspired by outdoor childbirth reality TV
Parenting crimes the internet considers child abuse