So Long, Breast Milk!

I have this tendency is to focus on the negatives (pessimism, I believe they call it?), and it is seriously one of my worst traits.  Almost immediately after summer commenced, I started dreading the beginning of the school year.  When my husband asks how my son did at the end of the day, I tell him the one or two bad things that took place, instead of all of the great ones.  When I look at my life, I pick out the worst things and harp on them.  It's a problem.

But I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, and that is looking at the positives.  And I am finding there are many.

Tomorrow, my daughter will drink the last of the breast milk for which I labored so long and hard.  I am sad.

Sigh.  Okay - done with sadness and on to things to celebrate:

1. We saved almost 9 months' worth of money spent on formula!  Formula is so stinking expensive - we really dodged a bullet there! Yay!
2. I wasn't able to nurse because of skin issues with my son and premie issues with my daughter, but I pumped and bottle fed with both.  My son made it to almost 8 months of age, and now, even though I stopped pumping March 3rd, my daughter has made it to almost 9 months.  Instead of mourning the fact that she will have to have 3 months of formula, I'm going to celebrate the fact that my baby, my premature, scrawny little "delayed" baby is now over twenty pounds of fat and in the 80th percentile thanks in large part to the nearly 9 months of liquid gold she's been able to drink. 
3. Pumping for my children is without doubt one of the hardest things I have ever done in my entire life.  But it was also one of the most wonderful things I have ever done.  Not only was it another way for me to love my children, but it was an intense exercise in discipline.  I could have quit at any time.  No one was forcing or pressuring me to keep it up.  But I wanted to do it.  This is also something to celebrate - the ability to make a commitment and stick to it.  It's the same kind of thing I'm going through right now with fitness.  It takes work and self-discipline.  And, thank God, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).  None of this is my power.

So, so long breast milk!  It's been an education for sure.  You've taught me some priceless lessons and instead of mourning your loss, I am grateful for your presence, however fleeting.