I burned my boob.

Spoiler alert: This post contains TOO MUCH PERSONAL INFORMATION, so proceed at your own risk.

Yes, I did, in fact, burn my breast. Scalded it, actually. With a bowl of chicken noodle soup I was heating up in our over-the-stove microwave. On a day I had stayed home from work with a sore throat. On a day I was only wearing a cheap little tank top since I was going to be home all day anyway.

On my 490th day of nursing.

Yes, my nearly undressed boob made a perfect landing spot for scalding hot chicken broth. I have a neat little 4x4inch burn that is smack-dab, dead-center right on the working portion of a nursing mama's breast.

And, yes, it is very painful to nurse an easily distracted toddler with teeth on a burned and peeling nipple.

The scientific and curious side of me wanted to take pictures of it every day to document the various healing stages. It is, after all, a very curious part of your body to burn. However, the holidays pretty much ruined that prospect because there was no way I was going to leave a camera with pictures of my undressed torso lying around a house with teenage brothers-in-law. Nope. No Way. Not Ever.

I did learn (via a very helpful phone call to my Emergency Department Director Friend) that the skin of your nipple and areola differs from the skin on the rest of your body, and is much less likely to blister (especially if you've been nursing for a year and a half already). Quite fascinating.

I have written and re-written this post nearly ten times because I wanted to share my story with my other nursing buddies out there, and could not find a single other nursing mama online who had burned her breast and wanted to share her story. There's lots of general information out there about burns in general. But I was looking for comfort and camaraderie and support, and it was nowhere to be found.

So, if you're a nursing mama and have run across this post, know that I completely empathize with you. Be sure you get medical attention. Pump if you need to. And know this: It will not hurt as much tomorrow as it hurts today. It will heal much more quickly than you think.

And, everyone, please, be really careful when you're pulling hot things out of the microwave. Trust me, I know.

Merry Christmas, Baby Girl

Hi, Precious. My little baby monkey.

You're lying asleep with Daddy on the couch right now, and the two of you are so cute in the soft yellow glow of light from the Christmas tree and garland hanging in our living room. (Seems like I've seen this same picture before...) You are all stretched out and your shirt is pulled up enough that your little baby belly is sticking out all round and full of mommy milk. I want to tickle your belly button because it's so cute, or kiss it, but I don't want to wake you up. There will be lots of time for belly button kisses in the morning!

I didn't expect to be home with you and Daddy today and tomorrow but now that I'm home sick I am so glad I get to have these extra hours together right before Christmas. You are growing so fast and getting smart so quickly that I sometimes wonder if you're going to be grown up and going off to college before I figure out what I'm going to wear in the morning.

I wish I could tell you how much I love you. If I said those words a million times over past the end of time I don't think it would be enough. I love your giggles, your smiles. I love your lilting little voice, so sweet and beautiful. I love watching you think. I love watching you and Daddy chase each other around the house tickling each other. (Tonight you played this game right after your bath and so were running around naked. What a cute little baby butt you have. I should have taken some pictures!)

Two years ago at Christmas time you were just a tiny little peanut in my tummy. Last Christmas, you were just starting to really explore the world around you. This year, your world is busier, larger, more complex. You're learning language, you can climb things, you understand what pain is and you have a lot more teeth. Your little legs pump up and down a million times a day on a thousand different ventures, and everything is a game.

Sometimes I wish I could slow down time so that I could have another long cuddle with my little Baby Eden. But then I see you embracing life and I realize I want to push you forward as much as I want to hold you back.

I'm still new to this whole mothering thing, Baby Girl, but I do know enough now to know this: I have no clue what the next year will bring but as long as the three of us are together and our family is wrapped in love that is all that matters. Our house, our things, our jobs--that is all just icing on the cake.

I can't wait to see you in the morning, to see your impish grin light up your face and make your eyes twinkle like a thousand stars. Just like the Christmas tree is glowing in the dark room right now.

Only better.

I love you!

Love,
Mommy