Best on Planet

My husband is the kindest, most reasonable and supportive person on the planet. This is especially apparent when it comes to nursing.

We've both been sleeping poorly lately; colds, stress, baby wakings or whatever. The thought was voiced that perhaps it was time to move Eden to her bed through the night. I told him that it was fine with me if he wanted to take bring her back and forth to me at night when she wakes up (as this full-time working outside the home mommy is totally supportive of helping him out, but definitely not ready to quit nighttime nursings anytime soon). The conversation was casual and didn't really result in anything more than a "mmhmmm" from either of us.

But it got me to thinking about weaning. And I'm pretty much terrified of it. So I went online to read some of my mommy-blogs and ran across some weaning stories.

Now, I've read through a good share of weaning stories on the La Leche League site already, and they always brought tears to my eyes. (Hmm...hidden agenda? Self-fulfilling prophecy? On the other hand, I've found lots of great articles there that have helped us along our nursing journey.) The posts I read tonight, though (and this one in particular) were beautiful. Peaceful. Not full of anger, disappointment, grief and sadness.

Back to my boy.

So I'm telling Nate about one story I read, about a 3 1/2 year old who, the last time she nursed, drank her fill and then sat up and said, "thank you for the milk, Mommy." He asked if I wanted to go that long with Eden. I told him I don't want to set a time limit, long or short, I just want to go until she's ready and I'm ready and it's natural. I told him I didn't want it to be sad, I just wanted it to be.....

"Natural," he finished for me.

Yes, natural. When it's right. And until then, we're all on board, all three of us, a nursing family. Because nursing is so much more than just a mommy-baby relationship. Daddy is a big part of it, too.

Thank you, Nate. I love you, and I love that you understand, and that you want what is best for Eden. Thank you for giving while I'm giving, too. I love being a parent with you.

Octoberfest

Today is Saturday, October 3. It's the sort of day where your nose is a little too dry for comfort, the air is warmish-cool and smells a little dusty from the light Santa Ana, and it's warm-warm-warm when you're in the sun. A typical, wonderful, Southern California fall day.

Not a cloud in the blue, blue sky. A slight breeze that kicks up every now and then.

It's summer, still, but with a teasing hint of fall that makes you want to whip out your scarfs, shake out your coats and throw a pot of beef stew on the stove until you realize you're still wearing a tank top and shorts and it's hittin' 90 degrees in the sun.

Ah, Fall.

It's Octoberfest in La Mesa today. Miss Eden and I are going to go meet Nate there after he's done teaching and take in the sights and sounds. She and I spent almost the entire morning outside today. We took a walk around the block before breakfast. Spent an hour and a half in the park right after breakfast, blowing bubbles and playing ball. And then spent another hour on the back porch, cleaning off the slide (she likes to clean it with baby wipes) and tearing up advertisements that Mommy pulled out of the magazine she was reading.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

Summer used to be my favorite season; I think it's pretty safe to say that now my favorite season is Fall. I'm not keen on the shorter days, but I love the cooler weather, the anticipation of long evenings at home. Holiday preparations, warmer, heartier foods. Steaming mugs of coffee, tea or cider on crisp mornings or cool nights.

Snuggling up under the covers.

Coats, seaters and socks.

Hot showers and snuggly pj's.

Crunchy leaves beneath my feet.

Visits to Michigan. :)