Interesting topic!!
I clearly remember my mom lying on the sofa and I couldn't lay down with her. She had just returned from the hospital after having abdominal surgery. I was 18 months old.
I don't remember her being away [we lived with my grandmother so I guess she kept me entertained] but remember Mom lying on the sofa when she came home.
Later on we were talking about it and Mom doubted I could have remembered this, until I told her exactly what she was wearing, which quilt was covering her etc.
My DH can top this....he remembers going on the 'potty' at 11 months of age!!
I find it interesting what people do remember and how young they were.
Have to ask my kids what their first 'memory' is.

I can't believe so many of you can remember things when they were very young.

My 1st memory was when I was 5, me and my dad were sitting in the living room floor watching TV. And than my next memory wasn't until I was 6 after my mom and me moved out (don't remember the move even).

I can remember bits and pieces from 6 to 30 and than I don't have much of a memory for the past 4 years and flat out don't remember yesterday!

I can remember back to when I was about three. My parents had taken me to a store called Ellman's - it was sort of like a Service Merchandise type store. I can remember the brick steps outside and even the iron railing that separated the two sides of the steps.

It was Christmas time and they were picking up a gift for someone. I saw a Santa Claus doll in the window and wanted that thing SO bad! I kept wondering off to look at it and my Dad came to find me - I was out of his sight and he was panicking! There was a security guard standing at the door (I can even remember his grey hat). When my Dad found me and before he could even scold me I said "you buy this for Kelly?" The security guard looked at him and said "how can you say no?". Needless to say - I got the doll!!

My Dad used to love to tell that story - and even told a nurse about it while he was in hospice (it was right after Christmas).

I know you'll all think I'm crazy, but..... I can remember my mom taking my picture when I was about 6 weeks old. They had me laid on the bed, stuffing me into pretty clothes, all these huge faces looming over me, then a really bright flash!! When I was older, I thought it must have been something I dreamed, but then I saw the picture they took. My mom and sisters said there's no way I could have remembered that, but everything I remember about the incident is from the perspective of an infant, blurry and out of focus.

I also remember, when I was about 3, having to go to the storm cellar in the middle of the night because of tornado. The funnel cloud lifted up and went over our house, and my dad opened the cellar door and let me look up into it. It was like a big hole in the clouds, and I could see the stars through it.

I'm not a genious, but don't we store EVERYTHING in our brains. Some just have the ability of retrieving from further back than others. WOW, that must have been one bright flash!

I remember my Aunt Katie holding my new cousin Ralphie in our kitchen. He had his newborn hat on his tiny head, and he was wrappe in a blue blanket. I asked if I could hold him. Aunt Katie said, "Uh, no." LOL. I was 2.

I loved that kid at first sight. He was more like my lil brother than my cousin. Still is. The little meatball.

Good idea about asking your kids what their first memory was! I'll have to try that! Thanks!