An Amazing Journey

An amazing journey has slowly come to an end.

Breastfeeding has been an amazing journey for us.

It was difficult in the beginning, but I really wanted to make it work. I had great support from Hunter, my sister, my Mom and MANY other moms that I met through La Leche League. After a Eli was a few months old, we got into a rhythm and breastfeeding was wonderful. So many benefits....health, emotional, etc.

When Eli was born, I thought I'd breastfeed for 12 months. I thought anything beyond 12 months was a little weird, and past 18 months was A LOT weird!! My sister was nursing her 18 month old and I thought she was crazy...after all, her daughter could talk and tell her when she wanted to nurse! As Eli got closer to 12 months, I started realizing that extended nursing wasn't so weird after all, in fact there are SO many benefits to nursing a toddler. Again with the support of La Leche League toddler group, we continued to nurse and I think it was one of the best "mom" decisions I've ever made. I think it's the greatest gift I could have ever given him.

Today, after 26 months of breastfeeding, Eli has officially weaned himself. I let him lead the weaning process so it wasn't hard on him. Now, the only nursing that happens is when Eli is playing with his teddy bear (or any other toy) and he decides that the toy needs a "side" (that's what he calls nursing). He holds the toy to HIS "sides" and nurses the toy. What a great joy that is for me!!! He gets it! I hope someday (a VERY long time from now) he is a BIG supporter of his breastfeeding wife! : )

Closing with a note I found on kellymom.com regarding breastfeeding & weaning....

I know I look so big to you,
Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.
But no matter how big we get,
We still have needs that are important to us.
I know that our relationship is growing and changing,
But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness,
Especially at the end of the day
When we snuggle up in bed.
Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.
I know you think I can be patient,
Or find something to take the place of a nursing; A book, a glass of something,
But nothing can take your place when I need you.
Sometimes just cuddling with you,
Having you near me is enough.
I guess I am growing and becoming independent,
But please be there.
This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,
Please don't break it abruptly.
Wean me gently,
Because I am your mother,
And my heart is tender.

Daddy & Water

A couple of Eli's favorites.....Daddy and water!!!!

Practicing A New Skill

So....Hunter and I were trying to make brushing teeth more fun in order to modivate Eli to brush his teeth without a big issue. Anyway, Hunter decided to teach him how to swish water in his mouth and spit it out. Well, Eli learned that one quickly and practices his new skill at various times, including some places that spitting is NOT a good idea (the table, etc.). Here he is practicing...

Ice Cream at the Zoo

My Gardening Helper

Eli loves to play outside and I love to garden so this morning we spent time planting some flowers and playing in the yard. Eli's favorite part by far is watering the flowers and plants once we are done.

Pausing for a quick drink
Trying to get Mommy wet....he was successful MANY times!!

Our finished product

Trip to the Zoo!

On Saturday, we went to the Fort Worth Zoo. It was our first time to visit this zoo and it was well worth the trip! We were there for 5 1/2 hours and Eli had so much fun. He has been talking about it ever since we left! Here are some of the highlights....

The Cheetas were absolutely beautiful!!
This gorilla was standing in the window and all the children thought it was so neat. Eli thought that he actually touched the gorilla. After this, he wanted to touch all the animals. When we would go to a different animal he would look at us, reach his hand out, and say, "chun it??" (that's Eli's version of "can I touch it?")


Many of the animals were resting, but it was still fun to look at them.



When Eli saw this animal, he called out a family member's name (we won't mention who! ), but he says the same think when he sees this picture!! : )

I LOVE hippos!!! The hippos were pretty active and HUGE!!!!

My Sleeper!!

We have reached a new stage in Eli's life.....sleeping!!! Eli has never been a big sleeper. After his first birthday, he took two 30 minute naps and that was it and woke up several times during the night. Then, around 18 months, he dropped his morning nap and started taking a 1 hour nap in the afternoon and continued to wake up during the night. For the past 2-3 weeks, Eli has been taking a 2-3 hour nap AND sleeping through the night. My non-sleeper has turned into a big sleeper. I guess he's giving me a short break before we start all over in September! ; )

Happy Birthday, Jackson

We went to Eli's favorite place, Chuck E. Cheese, to help Jackson celebrate his 2nd birthday. Eli had so much fun playing games, eating pizza, and eating some YUMMY cake that Jackson's Mom made. Happy Birthday, Jackson!!!

Joys of Co-Sleeping

No pics for this, but I had to post about this. We co-sleep just love it, especially since Eli has started talking in his sleep. Here are a few things that he said last night:

• "I'm going to Chuck E Cheese" (we're going this evening and Eli has been so excited about it all week!)
• "Daddy"
• "I want to play soccer" (Eli loves soccer and really wants to play....can you sign a 2 year old up for soccer????)
• "Mommy's coffee" (No comment on this one! ; ) )
• "Outside" (Eli would live outside if we'd let him)
• "Time out" (Eli doesn't have to go to time out too often, but obviously he thinks about it!)

I think it is so funny that he thinks about this stuff even when he is sleeping.

Who Needs a Water Table??

Eli and I worked in the yard this morning...planted a few more flowers, spread some new mulch, etc. While we were working, Eli found a new toy...the bird bath. Eli LOVES, LOVES playing in water and this kept him busy for a VERY long time. I have been thinking about getting him a water table, but who needs a water table when you have a bird bath!?!?!?

This is OT, but several have asked me why I think that Eli is getting a sister.....here are some of my reasons.....they are VERY scientific ; )

• The complexion of my skin has changed and I think the extra girly hormones are causing it.
• I am craving sweets (with Eli I craved meat). Seriously, I have eaten SO MUCH sweet food (like a box of Girl Scout cookies every 2 days...thank goodness I only have one box left!!!). It's a wonder that I've only gained about 4 pounds!!!! I should have gained at least 15 with the way that I've been eating!! : )
• The heart rate is in the high 150s. I know that the heart rate thing is an old wives tale, but I'm still believing it.
• This baby is very high and Eli was low. I know that every pregnancy is different, but I still think it's a girl. : )

Anyway, we will know on May 6....if she is cooperating!

16 Week Baby Update

This post is about a week overdue, but I thought I'd give an update anyway. I had my 16 week appointment last Monday. It was very exciting because it was my first time to meet with my midwife for an actual appointment. I recently switched from the dr that delivered Eli to a midwife. It was hard to leave my dr and the familiar environment, but I know that we made the right decision. Anyway, my midwife said that the baby's heartbeat sounds great and that he/she is right on track as far as size goes. She also showed me how to feel the baby and the baby's position when I'm lying on my back. How cool is that?!?!?! She said that I shouldn't do it often, but it is a way for me to tell the exact position of the baby.

Anyway, all is well so far. We will have our sonogram on May 6 to check his/her development and size and to find out the sex of the baby. My official guess is GIRL!! Actually, I will be SHOCKED if it is not a girl. I told my midwife that and she completely agrees! So now I've really been thinking girl and Hunter has too....we'll be so surprised if they tell us it's a boy. Of course we don't care, but we are so excited to find out!! We'll see in about 3 weeks!

Helping Daddy

Eli has been very into yard tools lately....the weedeater, edger, blower, etc. Every day, he likes to go into the garage and look at them and even bring them into the house. I'm REALLY hoping that this is a stage that passes quickly. Anyway, today Eli got to help Hunter with some yard work and he thought it was the greatest thing in the world. Too bad he won't think it's the greatest thing in the world when he is old enough to do it on his own! ; )

Eating

I just love to watch Eli eat. I don't know why, but I think it is so cute. Here are some recent eating pictures.

Eating blueberries and strawberries for snack
Eating etmo (aka oatmeal) in a fun spot
Eli's favorite lunch....ham/turkey, cheese, tomatoes & avocados