The End Of Exclusivity

Today marks the last day of Wesley being exclusively breastfed.  Tomorrow is a huge day (well, at least for me!) as he will get to try his first taste of food.  I settled on sweet potatoes for him.  I'm hoping the color will be appealing enough for him to put it in his mouth instead of chucking it on the floor.

All week long I have been admiring his little fat rolls.  Marveling, I suppose, at how my body has nourished his for nine months.  Wesley might be small and compact, but he has little fat rolls in the cutest places.  The usual inner thigh, hand and ankle pudge.  The one that really makes me smile is the knees.  I never noticed my girls' knees.  I'm sure they had knee pudge, b/cuz my kids all look alike and have been the same size at each milestone.  I was so excited for what was to come that I didn't bother relishing the today with my girls.

I don't know if God will bless us with more children, so I'm just trying to soak in every moment of Wesley's babyhood.  Which probably explains some of the wistfulness over his first foods.  I realize that time marches on, change is inevitable, babies grow up.  It's just so quick!  I'm not ready.  Not ready for another plate to fix and mouth to wipe, not ready for the way the diapers will change, not ready for this new step towards independence.

This poem sums it up nicely.

I know I look so big to you,

Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.

But no matter how big we get,

We still have needs that are important to us.

I know that our relationship is growing and changing,

But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness,

Especially at the end of the day

When we snuggle up in bed.

Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.

I know you think I can be patient,

Or find something to take the place of a nursing -

A book, a glass of something,

But nothing can take your place when I need you.

Sometimes just cuddling with you,

Having you near me is enough.

I guess I am growing and becoming independent,

But please be there.

This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,

Please don't break it abruptly.

Wean me gently,

Because I am your mother,

And my heart is tender.

~ Cathy Cardall