"Me Big Girl"

Extended breastfeeding, or breastfeeding after one year of age, is something that is not well received in this country.  I breastfed Ladybug until she was four years old and weaned her when we were trying to get pregnant.  She knows that she breastfed until then, and still jokes that she wants "mommy-milk".  When she says this, I usually joke back with her, "hey, there is some in the freezer for you downstairs."  After much reflection, though, isn't she really asking for the closeness that comes with such an activity?

What can be frustrating is that everyone has an opinion on extended breastfeeding, even if it does not concern them. Forget the fact that babies who have breastfed over year have higher IQ scores, engage in more diverse diets, and theoretically have fewer issues with allergies, etc.  Forget about the fact that when GI illnesses strike and the kid does not want to eat or drink, she can still maintain hydration because her source of comfort when she is feeling ill just so happens to be a source of fluid and electrolytes. At any rate, the discussion of weaning really, in my humble opinion, should be made by the dyad in question. 

For a fleeting moment today, I wondered if Honey Pie's nursing days were coming to an immediate end.  HP is now 2 and 1/2 years old.  She is still nursing, although, not as intensely as her sister did.  Ladybug was a gymnastic nurser, trying various positions, working very hard to squeeze every last ounce of milk out of my body.  HP, on the other hand, usually lies quietly, coaxing milk out with her hands only when necessary. 

Imagine my initial surprise when HP and I had the following conversation right before nap.  Let me set the stage first.  Usually, we will sit in the rocking chair in her room and nurse while we read a few books.  Then, I will lay her down, sometimes rubbing her back to sleep or nursing her for another minute. 
Me:  HP, time to get in the chair to read stories.
HP: Me stand right here (next to the rocking chair).
Me: Don't you want milk while we read?
HP: Mommy-milk is for babies, me big girl. 
Me:  Babies?  Sometimes girls have mommy-milk.  So, you don't want mommy-milk? (Inside I was laughing, because this 'big girl' nursed all last night because she was not feeling well.)
HP: No (EMPHATICALLY!) Me big girl.
Me:  OK. (I proceeded to read.  Then asked her to get into her bed).
HP:  (Sly smile).  Me want mommy-milk. 
Me:  I thought mommy-milk was for babies?
HP: No, big girls want mommy-milk too!

In recounting this discussion with someone very dear to me, she asked if I would have been relieved, knowing that the ending of  the nursing part of the relationship would be over, but that HP was ready for this.  I will have to think that over.  Dealing with change and transitions have never been my strong suit. I will definitely need to think this over.

A Little Egg

I don't want the birds and the bees to be a total surprise to my children, so I guess that I have begun introducing them to how they were made very early on.  The other day, Honeypie and I were driving in the car in the old stomping grounds where my dear husband and I lived together when we were first married. "The old condo" is what we fondly call it.  It was also Ladybug's first home and she still talks about how she misses her room with "two doors".  At any rate, I pointed out to Honey pie the place where we used to live when the following conversation  ensued:


Me: There is the place where your mommy, daddy, and sister used to live.
H: Me go with you?
Me: Well, actually you were not born yet.
H: Me go with you, Mommy?
Me: Well, actually, you were with me, but you were a little egg.  In fact, you and your sister have been with me my entire life. You were just little eggs.
H:  Then me broke open.  Me biddy.
Me: Well, not exactly,but I am so glad that you are here.

Honeypie's Wisdom

Honeypie is 2 and 1/2 years old.  However, if you ask her how old she is she says "two old". 

Yesterday, she told me to "shh".  When I asked her why, she said that "the baby in her tummy was sleeping."

Watching her and Ladybug, who now is 7 and 1/4 years old, interact usually brings a smile to my face. 

Maybe I am getting it. . .

For the last year or so, some of Ladybugs behaviors have really concerned me.  To name a few, she mouths everything, from her fingers, to pens, plastic,  to her sister. When she tantrums, she goes on for a very long time.  It is often to difficult to reach her in those moments.  She does not like wearing socks and honestly, she goes, goes, goes.  She is unable to sit still and focus.  I can only wonder what will happen to her when she is in Kindergarten next year. 

I have discussed this with my sweetheart of almost 9 years.  He feels that this is simply a stage.  I was contemplating that perhaps, she had some sensory issues.  Then it hit me today as I was cursing to get the carseat back in the Camry.  I have not been the role model of tranquility.  When I get angry, perhaps my intensity looks like an adult version of my daughter getting upset.  I think that I am done, for the moment, trying to pull the plank out of my daughter's eye. 

For the rest of Lent, if I can be present and calm, perhaps I will be a better role model. 

Teething Issues

With a 7 month and a 5 year old in the house, one is not lacking in the teething issue department.