What a diffence birth order makes.

Shopping with your firstborn child (18 mo old):

• Pointing out every detail you/they see. "Sweetie, that's a pink ball and that's a red door. Oooh, look over here, this is a blue block...."
• Talking to them constantly in excited tones, making faces, basically giving them all of your attention because they are just sooo cute and sweet.
• Having them smile, wave and say "hi" & "bye, bye" to EVERYONE.
• Having them demonstrate their vast abilities at "such a young age". "Say thank you. Can you tell her what color you are wearing? Oh yes, that is periwinkle. You are sooo smart!"
• Packing the appropriate snacks for the duration of your outing, you certainly don't want them eating anything that isn't super baby food approved.
• Actually checking and restocking your diaper bag with diapers, wipes, change of clothes for various possibilities in the weather and/or "accidents", teething tablets, toys, etc.

Shopping with your fourth born child (without the older siblings) at the same age:

• Totally oblivious to pointing anything out to them. Don't they know it by now? Do they really care?
• Sticking to your list, concentrating on getting what you actually came for while enjoying not feeling "distracted" by children who can actually talk (i.e., ask for things).
• Forgetting to teach them wave "hi" & "bye, bye" to everyone. Again, don't they know that by now? Do they really care?
• Knowing they probably don't know their colors and you figure they'll get it eventually, every kid knows that by Kindergarten, right?
• Accepting just about any sample food offered, "this is lunch, kiddo."
  
• Diaper bag? What's that? Oh wait, I think there is a diaper and dried out wipes in my back seat pocket in the car.