Definitely not.
Probably not.
No, no, definitely not.
But for the first time in more than two and a half years, I have NO IDEA what cycle day I'm on.For the first time since May 2007, I'm not trying to get conceive...
For the first time since December 2007, I'm not pregnant...
For the first time since September 2008, I'm not breastfeeding...
I'd completely forgotten what it was like to be in control of my own body.
the Liberty Bell in the city of brotherly love--
a symbol of my newfound freedom!
When I first started trying to have a baby, I gladly gave up alcohol. When I got pregnant, I happily gave up soft cheeses. When I was blessed to be able to nurse G for 14 months, I gave up regular bras without a second thought.
I'd actually started to take my
body's independence for granted!
1) Take Mucinex to clear up congestion when I have a stuffy nose, instead of suffering through it like a modern-day martyr
2) Take the herbal sleep aide I bought just before we began trying to conceive (so far, it hasn't worked; the baby is STILL the only one of us sleeping through the night)
3) Have a drink whenever I want (as long as it's socially appropriate, although going this long without drinking, it might be socially inappropriate regardless!)
4) Wear whatever type of bra I want, although I must admit, I refuse to give up my nursing tank tops... those things are comfy!
5) Drink regular old milk (instead of soy), eat spicy foods, and have a peanut butter sandwich without fear of giving G gas, acid reflux, or an allergic reaction, respectively
6) Use my thermometer to diagnose a fever, instead of every morning at 5:45am on... the... dot...
Sure, I miss the closeness G and I shared over the 14 months I nursed her. But when I weaned her over Thanksgiving, she seemingly grew up overnight. She went from being my baby to being my little girl in the blink of an eye. Now, I realize that the reason I held on to nursing for so long was because I wasn't ready to let that happen.
Now that I have, she's free to take on new challenges... and I've learned that I'm free too!
YIPPEE!
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on Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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I was sad to see the nursing phase stop. I was only able to do 6 months. J sort of weaned himself, plus I started to dry up. I also miss the nightly routine of rocking him to sleep, but glad that's he's big enough now to put himself to sleep. I just don't want him growing up!
I was so sad when Lincoln started walking. He was suddenly a toddler, who wanted to go everywhere alone!! Sometimes I just want to pick him up and carry him...but no, he's a big boy now!
I'm not a parent, but those nursing tank tops do look comfy. I see my sister wear them and I have to admit, I get a little jealous!
I felt that way about my kids when they weaned as well!!
I hope your period comes soon!! :)
I hated nursing bras. Hated. They are ugly and lack the support I so love. Why doesn't Vitoria Secret make a nursing bra?
As for the not drinking, I'm not a big drinker but I spent the last few weeks of my first pregnancy dreaming about amaretto sours. I thought maybe they could serve me one immediately after delivery. Of course then I b/f for 14 months.
I totally have to confess here... I'm STILL rocking my nursing tanks, and I quit nursing my daughter in Oct of '08. I'm pathetic :)
Diapers and potty training,.... now I have a 4th one to start all over!
are you sure you are not pg?
Awww, you have to give up soft cheeses when you're pregnant??
I can honestly say that while I have mourned each age/stage through, the stuff coming up has been so sweet that it is worth it. the only thing I have continually mourned and not been happy about at all was when Owen self-weaned at 15-16 months. I was not ready at all, because with three other children, my lunchtime nursing for those long months was really the only time it was just the two of us-I was never happy about having stopped.
I definitely was sad when the nursing phase ended. That is awesome that you were able to nurse that long while working. I nursed exclusively until she was about 9 months but was working part time and found it hard to keep up with what she needed so I started supplementing and she pretty much weaned herself at 11 months. I miss the closeness now that she is a squirmy toddler!!
Well.... now I'm feeling pretty good about myself too!! haha good stuff!
Phew!! Isn't it great to feel liberated?!?! I'm not gonna lie, though, I can't wait to have #2!!
~WM
I miss how my son used to mispronounce everything. The only thing he doesn't say correctly now is "teebays" which is his word for "PJs". I say teebays too so he doesn't start saying it right just yet. It's just too cute to let go of.
Congrats! I'm still nursing but someday my day will come. I really enjoy it and Boy is definitely a fan, lol.
I was sad to see the "baby" phase pass. When they could sit up and start eating solids, it's like my little baby was gone. I guess that's why I had 3 so close together!
Oh sweet freedom! I am sad to look at my little girls and know that they are not babies anymore. They won't be ever again. It sometimes makes me want to have another, but then I come to my senses! I hated being pregnant!
This makes me insanely jealous, but also hopeful that when my little bbz is ready to wean I will be ready to...and have all of this to look forward to! Oh to know what a real bra feels like :)
I was sad to see my babies go from the pre-walker stage to walking. It was a joy to watch them wiggle and roll on the floor. I Once they started walking they were more interested in what they could get into and explore. Gone were the days of depending on mommy to get around the house. I miss those baby years.
All of them. Like now - I am happy my youngest is getting older and is 6 months, but I am sad there will be no more babies even though I don't want more. I miss them all when they're gone, but am frustrated with them when they're here! Typical.
Tamara
www.theunexperiencedmom.com
Thanks for your lovely comment and for stopping by! :)
Oh, and I went to UNC-CH :)
Unfortunately I don't have kids yet, so I don't know much about what you're talking about, but hey, yay for freedom! Hehee..
Just wanted to say thanks for the tip you left on my blog about college textbooks! :)
YAY for you! Sounds like fun, I have a long way to go before I can do some of that stuff again though...
Hey in your tip what websites do you use?
Elizabeth-
I could count so many things that were so hard of me to "let go" of....when he started crawling, walking, talking...now he wants to dress himself, make his own water (and mess)...Mr. Independent. But there are still those sweet, sweet moments in everyday--when he needs mama/wants mama and just loves on his mama. I cherish those. As for my brows...they look like fuzzy caterpillars, just sayin. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and your sweet comment. Hugs! Christy
I had a hard time when all of my boys weaned. I wasn't ready but they all just weaned themselves :o( It is nice to be able to take meds for a cold or Migranes in my case but I missed the nursing so much.
When my boy got steady on his feet and suddenly wanted to be more independent, I missed holding his little hand.
I have to say that I have been pretty happy at each stage.. excited to see what would come next....
However, as odd as this sounds... I was sad when my little man finally slept through the night. See, my Colin is not a good sleeper (still to this day)... and so for the first 28 months of his life, I was up with him at night at least once. During the first 14 months, we nursed, and during the second 14 months we cuddled.
And then one night... he was gone. And it made me sad. He's still a cuddly dude at age 7, but nothing compared to those nighttime snuggles. :)
C
I had a really hard time when I stopped making enough milk to sustain Callie, and thus had to stop breastfeeding when she was 9 months old. I was heartbroken!
She just weaned herself off of her bottles about 3 weeks ago, and that was bittersweet to me as well. It's like all the signs of her being a "baby" are starting to disappear.
P.S. I still rock my nursing sleep bra. LOVE. THAT. THING.
I get sentimental at all the stages, but yet relieved they are over and ready to embrace the relief of the new ease of the new stage. With them all at different ages they just keep hitting me with em!
Wow Elizabeth! That is such a big change for you in a short amount of time. I'm so happy for your newfound freedom and I know it's has to be hard to see them grow up!
My daughter is 15 and she is now practicing driving, which is not good when I'm in the car with her, but apparently I HAVE to be. :-/
I know this is a growing up rite of passage but I can't wait til it passes. Then my "baby" will be 16. *tear*
I am in the process of weaning Marlee, and it is kinda sad. I like having that time with her. But I will also be happy when it's over too. I think that is why I am holding on still! :)
your temp every morning? That's a new one on me!
Enjoy your newly found freedom! :)