Oh, how I've missed FOOD!

I may not be breastfeeding anymore, but I am eating YUMMY foods that I could not when I was nursing...yay! List of things I CAN eat now that I have enjoyed:

• pizza
• ice cream
• Reese's peanut butter cups and Snickers
• cheese and crackers
• cereal with milk
• vanilla latte
• McDonald's cheeseburgers
• eggs and toast
• pancakes
• pasta (made with wheat)

More to come :) Although it was sad to end breastfeeding, I am enjoying my little girl in so many other ways. She is such a character, and I cherish every moment with her. We will be forever bonded, in that I am sure.

Lover boys

I thought when I had boys that I wouldn't need to worry about "love" crushes and girls for a VERY long time. Well...boy was I wrong! Both of my boys LOVE the girls already. Joseph says he has 3 girlfriends in kindergarten. And, Matthew, oh Matthew has the biggest crush at age 3. Sweet, little Madison has captured him completely, and it is the sweetest thing. He talks about her ALL THE TIME. He waits after preschool so he can hold the gate door open for her (what a gentleman!) We finally had Madison over to our house today for a playdate, and he was SO excited (and I have to admit that I was a bit nervous for him - haha). He even made her a valentine with a big red heart. He wanted me to write "Will you be my girlfriend?" on it, but we opted for "will you be my valentine?" They played so nicely together. I just love how soft and passive he plays with girls. He also tells me "I like girls" all the time. Guess the worry begins early for my 2 lover boys?!

End of our special time

I have breastfed all three of my children, and enjoyed the closeness that it brings to the relationship. My breastfeeding relationship with Elizabeth has been even more special because I changed my way of living completely to continue nursing her. She was diagnosed with allergies to wheat, milk, eggs, and peanuts at 5 months old in which I was told that I "must stop" breastfeeding because the diet would be "virtually impossible to follow." I made the decision that I would do the "virtually impossible" and take all her allergens out of my diet in order to give her the best nutrition (my milk). Long story short, it was HARD in the beginning, but became easy when I saw her skin looking so beautiful and feeling so baby soft. I dedicated myself to her completely...eating and feeding her only the foods that contained no allergens. I LOVED my quiet nursing time with her. Nobody interrupted us...it was just her and I snuggled up together. Enough rambling...just wanted to express my sadness that this breastfeeding relationship has come to an end. I started weaning her from the daytime nursing sessions a few weeks ago, and this past week Elizabeth decided that she no longer needed to breastfeed before bed at night :( I was ready to continue for a few weeks or month longer with just 1 night feeding, BUT she refused. I held her, and cried silent tears for the end to such a special time with my "baby" girl.

On the other hand, I nursed her for 16 MONTHS. I followed that "virtually impossible" diet for 11 MONTHS. I gave my daughter the best of me, and I am proud! And, now I can eat some yummy food...off to eat some pizza! LOL

A New Year

Happy New Year 2010! My hopes and prayers for this year are:

to focus on playing with my children instead of cleaning my house

to develop a closer relationship with God, trusting Him in his plans for my life

to reach out to friends more often, and meet regularly

to continue to eat healthy as I feed my daughter her super healthy, allergen-free diet

to choose to be optimistic and happy

to be more patient with my children and husband

to help others in need

God bless you all this coming year!

We rang in the new year with our neighbors/friends. Great food, kid friendly entertainment, and terrific company...the kids ALL stayed up past midnight - wow! Here are a few pics..

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