My Baby is Weaned

I nursed my baby (toddler) for the last time last night. But I’m okay with that. She was ready. I was ready (sort of). And it was time, as I described in this post.

I really believe that nursing a baby is one of the sweetest, most amazing and priceless parts of being a Mom. It is a bonding experience that I simply cannot put to words. And while it nourishes the baby’s body, it nourishes the mother’s soul. At least it did for me. I love cradling my baby girl in my arms. I love running my hands through her hair while she nurses. I used to love having her fall asleep while she was nursing, and hear her gentle sigh as she pulled away and then continued to make that nursing motion with her mouth. These are memories I know I will hold in my heart for the remainder of my days.

I will miss this time. And I’m so thankful to have had it.

I’m glad I didn’t succumb to the “peer pressure” of weaning this last baby of mine at that society-imposed one-year mark. I’m also glad that I found a reason excuse (in the Swine Flu) to stretch it out a little longer than even I had planned. (My teen has been declaring that it was time for it to stop for almost a year now. She’s so opinionated!)

In honor of weaning my baby (and in honor of next month’s National Breastfeeding Awareness Month), and because this blog is also a place where I’m recording memories and moments for my kids, I’d like to share a few of my favorite nursing photos:

Ginger nursing when she was about 4 weeks old -- a friend & local photographer, Maria Donaldson at http://mariadonaldsonphotography.wordpress.com took this picture and the next one.

Ginger nursing when she was 4 weeks old. I love these professional pictures taken of these special moments.

One of the last times Ginger and I enjoyed those precious nursing moments.

This was the moment when I really knew she was ready -- she preferred to read "Pat the Bunny" instead of nursing. Yes -- it was probably more about "me" in the end. Sigh.