Two weeks gone...

It dawned on me this morning that about two weeks ago, I stopped nursing Legree. I nursed him for 12 months straight and I haven't really noticed I stopped! I guess that's good, since I gradually weaned him onto cow's milk I never got engorged or had much pain. I did have several "tingles" as I like to call it. Any nursing mom's out there know what I'm talking about. Basically your body saying, hey it's time to nurse.

Anyways, I LOVED being able to nurse him. I am, honestly, especially proud that I nursed him for 12 months. It was a feat and as his 1 year birthday approached I felt like I had just climbed Mount Everest or ran a marathon! I did what I had prayed and hoped I could do the whole time I was pregnant.

From the time I found out I was pregnant with Legree all I ever wanted was to have a vaginal birth AND to nurse Legree. My prayers were answered on both accounts. I read several books on nursing, took a class and did lots of research. Honestly, I was scared to death of all the problems and issues that can arise with nursing. It seems like something so "natural" should be... well, natural! I had none of those problems! Praise God!! We did have some issues with getting him latched on at first. But I used what is called a "nipple guard" and as soon as I had that on he nursed and didn't want to stop!

Now, I must give credit wear credit is due. If it weren't for the nurses and lactation consultants at Lexington Hospital encouraging me and showing me what to do (no matter how much info you read or how much you study on breastfeeding, you don't really even know how to even hold your new baby right to nurse them) I wouldn't have had such a great start. I would call them in my room at 3 am and they would come running and patiently wait while I fumbled around with my screaming baby trying to get him latched on properly. They watched, patiently waited for me and showed me but let me learn at the same time on what to do. Secondly, if it weren't Ben's mom I wouldn't have gotten as far as I did either. She was SUCH an encouragment and mentor with the nursing. She nursed Ben for about 13 months as well. Mainly because he WOULDN'T take a bottle or anything else. But she showed me that's it POSSIBLE (she's one of about 2 other people I know that breastfed for this long) and encouraged me along the way. She always reminded me how good it was for Legree and that I was doing a great job! Also, my wonderful husband encouraged me and helped me all along the way. Well, at least until the very end when he was ready as I was to have him weaned! But he always made sure I had plenty of water (something that is as essential to breastfeeding as the breast itself) and that I was comfortable as I nursed. So thank yall for the help, support and guidance.

To Legree: I hope this "gift" of nursing for your first full year of life serves you well :)! I hope you immune system is as strong as possible and all the other benefits show prevelent throughout your life. Thanks for being such a good nurser and sticking in it with me through the whole year!!


So, now after 21 months of either being pregnant with or nursing Legree... I'm free! My body is mine again!! I can eat, drink and take whatever medicine I want! YEAHHH!!!