Yesterday was a little bit of milestone. Henry turned 40 weeks and 4 days old. He has now officially been out of utero as long as he was in. I'm not sure why this feels so significant, but it does. To know that from the tiny little grain, he has grown big enough to survive in the outside world, to now being ready to tackle new things every day, its truly amazing.
This also means I have been breast feeding for longer then I was pregnant (since you don't really find out you're pregnant until you're approximately 5 weeks along already). I have had numerous conversations with other mamas about the significance of breast feeding. For as invasive as pregnancy can feel at times, I have to say breast feeding can feel the same yet provide this incredible bond of intimacy. Since becoming pregnant, I have wondered when I will get my body back. Naively, I thought that after birth that would naturally occur. While I'm happy to report that my body is only a couple pounds shy of its previous weight (hey, it took 40 weeks and 4 days to get that way, and naturally took the same amount to return), the demand of breast feeding has left me feeling somewhat exhausted at the process and time commitment Especially after going back to work. There are days I dread pumping. And yet, at this point, I have a hard time imagining life without pumping and breast feeding.
We have now celebrated several 1 year birthday parties for Henry's friends and 1 year has always been my goal for how long I would like to breast feed Henry. But knowing that milestone is rapidly approaching, I feel nervous about that transition. Will I be ready to give it up? How will 10 hour work days feel without pumping twice a day? Will Henry still be an all night nurser, even if he is weaned during the day? Oh, the questions and anxiety in parenthood. Advice is welcome.
In addition to celebrating Arthur's and Jack's 1st birthday last weekend, we also celebrated Papa Craig's 75th! Love them in their matching hats.
This also means I have been breast feeding for longer then I was pregnant (since you don't really find out you're pregnant until you're approximately 5 weeks along already). I have had numerous conversations with other mamas about the significance of breast feeding. For as invasive as pregnancy can feel at times, I have to say breast feeding can feel the same yet provide this incredible bond of intimacy. Since becoming pregnant, I have wondered when I will get my body back. Naively, I thought that after birth that would naturally occur. While I'm happy to report that my body is only a couple pounds shy of its previous weight (hey, it took 40 weeks and 4 days to get that way, and naturally took the same amount to return), the demand of breast feeding has left me feeling somewhat exhausted at the process and time commitment Especially after going back to work. There are days I dread pumping. And yet, at this point, I have a hard time imagining life without pumping and breast feeding.
We have now celebrated several 1 year birthday parties for Henry's friends and 1 year has always been my goal for how long I would like to breast feed Henry. But knowing that milestone is rapidly approaching, I feel nervous about that transition. Will I be ready to give it up? How will 10 hour work days feel without pumping twice a day? Will Henry still be an all night nurser, even if he is weaned during the day? Oh, the questions and anxiety in parenthood. Advice is welcome.
In addition to celebrating Arthur's and Jack's 1st birthday last weekend, we also celebrated Papa Craig's 75th! Love them in their matching hats.
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