Sunday, April 13, 2014

It's Time To Turn The Page...

Fifteen months and thirteen teeth later, and we are DONE with breastfeeding.

I would be lying if I didn't say I was a little bit excited for this chapter to be over, but a part of me (and Landon) is sad this part of our story has ended. I feel like I no longer have a baby, but a toddler!

I once wrote about my breastfeeding experience here!
It was an experience I pray I am blessed to have again, but none will be like the experience I had with my Landon Shae.

I doubt I will be nursing our next baby on top of a mountain in Southern California.  I remember hiking with Landon for the first time when he was just two months old and I was sure he was going to have a melt down while we were a deep four miles into the woods, but he didn't! In fact, he slept most of the time. And when we reached our destination (a beautiful waterfall), he happily nursed, and then laid on nature's floor and looked around. Who says you have to give up hiking when you have a baby?!







And I highly doubt (although wish) I will be nursing our next baby while sitting on California beaches multiple times a week. I remember sitting on the beach, looking out into the water while Landon was nursing and thanking God for such a beautiful life. There was something so peaceful about holding this sweet baby and looking at a gorgeous creation.







Now that we are done, I can't help but feel proud of myself.
It is an amazing feeling knowing that I was able to completely sustain his eating life, until he was six months old. He has grown and developed into such a healthy, little boy and I know thats because of the nutrients I was able to give him.

And I believe Landon and I have the bond that we do because I chose to nurse him. He depended on me and was able to trust that I would provide him with a full tummy whenever he needed it, even if he needed it multiple times in the middle of the night. And now, he trusts that I will feed him three meals a day and pick him up when he needs me to. He knows I will always come back to get him when we leave him somewhere without us, and he knows that I love him unconditionally.
I've said it before that the first time the two of us really connected was when he latched on for the first time. It was the first time we made eye contact and it was the first time I really felt like he was my baby.

I will miss nursing a calm Landon who was content just looking at me and playing with my hair, and I will even miss nursing a crazy Landon who would try to talk and laugh and pull my hair.

This was a beautiful experience that I will forever cherish.