Done nursing...on to the straw!

Today is the first day that I did not nurse Paige in the morning. She didn't even miss it... it's a little sad for me, but I am happy too! Plus, Paige finally drank from a straw today! She was really excited about this and proud of herself, too! Done with one thing and now onto the other!

Weaning (Continued)

So, last night was the first time we put Paige to bed without nursing and she really did great. It seemed as though she didn't even realize that we omitted it from her nightly routine...there was no crying at all!! I can't believe that it went so seamlessly...I guess she really was ready to let the nighttime nursing go...she was just waiting on me. :o) Now I have to find the strength to give up her last feeding in the morning...I don't know when I will be ready to do that. I have to mentally prepare myself...motherhood is so hard and emotional, but man do I love it!!

Weaning...

When Paige turned 13 months old I decided that it was probably time to start weaning her from nursing. At that time, she was still nursing five times a day (I know that was a lot, but I have always been obsessed with making sure she gets enough to eat...I guess having a kiddo in the third percentile for weight will do that to you!) Anyway, I started taking away one daytime feeding each week and she didn't even seem to miss them.

After doing this, I definitely believe that weaning is a lot harder for the mom than the baby/toddler (ha!). I know this is the first of many things that I will have to "give up" as my little girl gets older. Of course, this is very minor compared to what she will want (or will have) to do without me as she grows...like go to kindergarten, or go on a date, or go to college!!

Wow, isn't it funny that parents strive to teach kids how to be independent and yet it is really hard to let them be independent when they are ready. For example, it took months for Paige to learn to drink out of a sippy cup (so she wouldn't be dependent upon me for her milk), and now it is heartbreaking to know that soon she will never nurse again. Don't get me wrong...I like not having to nurse her five times a day...but my baby has grown so fast! I am sure this is how a lot of mothers feel...it's so bitter sweet!!

Anyway, for about the last week or so, Paige has only been nursing in the morning and at night. So, on Wednesday I decided it was time to take away her nighttime feeding. This was definitely the hardest one for me, so I wanted to nurse her one last time (at night) and "take it away" on Thursday. I am pathetically pitiful, because I relished every moment watching her while she nursed last night. I cried a little and smiled when she reached down to grab my hand that was laying next to her. (She sometimes holds my hand when she is nursing, so I was glad she did it for her last time.) I am really going to miss the quiet time that we have together each night, but I believe that this is a good time to let go of the nighttime nursing...we will still have morning snuggles!

Raspberries and More

We had a fun night at our house tonight...just random stuff, but we had a good time. Paige's grandma and grandpa came over, so Paige was in an exceptionally good mood because of that. She loves spending time with them and showing off all that she can do.

I was blowing raspberries on Paige's cheek and she laughed harder than usual, so her grandma took some pics. This is one of my favorites.

Paige decided that she wanted the camera from me, so she started to throw a little fit...isn't that a pitiful face!Two seconds later, we took these photos...aren't toddler's emotions up and down!I think it is so funny when Paige sticks her tongue out like this in pictures! Hanging out on Daddy's lap!Saying "hi" to the camera with Grandma!

Down the Stairs!!

Paige showed me that she knows how to come down the stairs now. She was actually going up and when she got halfway to the top, she decided to come back down instead. I am so excited that she finally stayed on her belly (instead of trying to turn around and walk down facing forward)!! I gave her a big round of applause, and she was super happy with herself!! Yay, Paige!!