If you ask me when any of my three kids took their first steps or ate solid food for the first time or lost a first tooth, I will struggle to recall the answers. But ask me about the first time they ate dinner at a restaurant or made a friend, swam without a parent in the pool or even the day I put together my first lunchbox and it is game on! I have always seen milestones in the unexpected moments.

The first time at the pumpkin patch or the farmer’s market. The first time they met their new baby brother. The first time they sang karaoke. The first soccer game and piano recital. The first time they told a joke or suggested a solution to a problem. These are the magical moments we relish in as parents.

The thing about childhood is that it slips through our fingers so freaking fast. When people used to stop and tell me to be grateful because it speeds by in an instant, I would think: “Yes! And do you know how that sad reality consumes me? Don’t you see my tears?!”

Ruby, 2 and Ella , 3 at their first pumpkin patch.

To me, parenting has always felt like a cross between hearing an old song full of bittersweet nostalgia mixed with what it might feel like to be a child who was told to swim to a constantly moving point. As soon as a moment passes, you know that it will never be repeated. And as soon as you think you understand your 5-year-old, she goes ahead and changes. It never stops evolving and you never stop feeling like you are a step behind. We are constantly mourning the moments that were and surprised by the changes that will be.

But for many parents in the world, experiencing any of these milestones sounds like the greatest luxury. It is why I have joined the Shot@life campaign for Blogust to help all kids reach their milestones. You can help, too, right now, by leaving a comment on this blog post. Each comment = one vaccine donation for kids in need around the world!

WHAT IS BLOGUST

Blogust is a month-long digital dialogue, bringing together many of the most beloved online writers, photo and video bloggers and Shot@Life Champions to change the world through inspirational imagery and storytelling. This year marks the fifth year of Blogust helping kids around the world reach their fifth birthday thanks to the power of global vaccines.

The Blogust 2016 digital relay participants will be sharing the story behind #TBT baby photos or videos of themselves, their kids or a side-by-side comparison at important milestones – from first steps or first smile to fifth birthday. Every parent everywhere should be able to experience these milestones, which is why every like, comment and social media share their posts receive (up to 30,000 throughout the month of August 2016) will trigger a donation by MAM to help provide a vaccine for a child in need around the world.