Faith is home from school today. Josiah tried to squeeze his way out of going but truth be told, I think he really wanted to be at school. For that, I am glad. 
Faith has a tummy ache today, complete with multiple trips to the potty, and feels a bit warm. Poor thing. Some bug is working its way thru her system. She’s healthy and strong, however and I know with some extra rest and fluids, she’ll be back to 100% soon.
I had such a hard time deciding whether or not to keep her home from school today! I mean, it shouldn’t be this hard right? Child is sick = stay home from school. Trouble is, Nova is so advanced and they keep such a challenging schedule that to stay home for one day often means a few days of catch up! I never want that for our kids but I know it’s part of life.
We can’t be healthy ALL of our days. Nor can we be on top of things 100% of the time. Playing catch up builds character, right? *lol*
I’m aching too, today, although PTL, not as bad as in the previous two days. I’ve decided to wean Dewey. It’s been a painless process really. Starting the first of January, we began just nursing him upon waking, once during the day before naptime, and then at bedtime. We introduced cow’s milk and he took to it like a champ. We stayed that course for just about a couple of weeks and then eliminated the naptime nursing. No problems there, either!
Then just last Saturday we eliminated the evening nursing session and not really on purpose, either! Dewey fell asleep on our way home from my MIL’s house and just never woke up when we brought him into the house so we put him into his bed. We weren’t feeling the best on Sunday morning b/c of getting to bed super late and most of us were nursing colds that were only made worse by lack of sleep, so we made the decision to stay home from church. Eric got up with the baby that morning and gave him a cup of milk so I could rest a bit more.
Voila! Weaning complete. In the beginning of this process, Andrew needed some distractions during those times when he was used to nursing but couldn’t. Now he doesn’t even give it a second thought. No pulling on my shirt, or twisting to face me (well, face my chest anyways. *lol*). Those times when he used to nurse have been replaced with rocking, reading, singing and drinking a cup of milk.
I do struggle with the fact that I’ve chosen to wean him instead of letting him do it himself. I mean, we fought SO HARD to be able to nurse!!! All I can say is that it’s time. He’ll be a year on the 29th so it’s not unreasonable to have weaned him, anyhow.
So as I handle the aches that are present as my body adjusts again, I’ll remember what a beautiful blessing it was to be able to nurse my child for a year. I’ll be thankful for the grace that God gave me to be able to make it thru the tough times that came.
OH, and the loveliest gift God could have given me thru this whole nursing saga was my darling husband! You were my irreplaceable partner from beginning to end! I could not have gotten this far without your support and your help. Thank you, honey!!!
Hang in there Momma, you are doing a great job. It is hard sometimes to know if they are sick enough to stay home from school – and to weigh the rest and not getting the other kids sick vs how much they will miss. Never an easy call!
Congrats on weaning Dewey – since he weaned so easily my bet is that he was ready.