Nursing

At one point this morning I saw myself in the mirror holding Elliott in my left arm, brushing my teeth with my right. The microwave beeped letting me know the breast pump attachments and binky I had just put in to sterilize were done. I did a run through of the contents of the diaper bag in my head, glanced at the clock and realized I had 5 minutes to get out the door to make it to our Nursing Mother's group on time.  I stopped and smiled at myself, I was successfully multitasking like a "real" mom does. And damn I was good at it. Going to Nursing Mom's group was important to me since my journey into breastfeeding was FAR FAR from what I thought it would be. I imagined giving birth and having my baby crawl up to my breast and take its first taste of my milk. I knew the basics: good latch, different holds, wide mouth, tickling the lips with the nipple, etc. I did, after all go to a breastfeeding class. Nobody told me about bad latch, nipple pain, thrush, awkward holding of the baby, tense shoulders, nipple pain, swollen boobs, cracked nipples...it goes on. But I was committed. I would not give up. I sought help, got prescription ointment for my sore nipples, suffered through the pain, even cried through many feedings...because nursing Elliott meant so much to me. I HAD to get through it and do this very important thing for my baby. I believe it's the healthiest thing for him and me and I am proud of myself for sticking with it. Proud of him for making me do it.

We made it to group on time today. However the room was empty when we got there because there was no group today. Ok...so I thought I had it all together today. Whatever. We got to have a nice visit to the 3rd floor to visit Aunt Tina and the other nurses who were there to help with Elliott's birth. Then a nice lunch with grandma, grandpa, and Uncle Stephen at Taco Bell.