Thoughts on weaning my 3-year-old

Dax had his last drop of breast milk the day he turned 3 years old.

He has slowly been limiting his nursing sessions and I was just done. We were down to nursing before nap and bed and maybe in the middle of the night here and there.

I always said 2 years old was my nursing limit. I didn't think I could handle nursing any longer. Dax's second birthday came and went and we didn't even discuss weaning him. He was too dependent on the milk. I felt bad because he was facing all these food allergies and sensitivities. I wanted to make sure he was getting the right nourishment and comfort her needed.

I gave him a countdown and warned him he would be done with milk after he turned 3. He would repeat it back and we would talk about it.

I know people have mixed emotions about nursing all together. Some say 3 is too old to nurse anyway. Some say nurse longer, to 5 maybe.

I just did what felt right to our family. It seemed to fit to let him nurse until he was 3.

My husband and I prepared for some rough nights. I figured nap was out the window.

I have been a bit surprised. 

The first day we didn't nurse for nap was the day after he turned 3. We had the house to ourselves. He cried for a little bit to nurse but I reminded him we can't nurse anymore. He loves to touch my skin as he sleeps so I offered him cuddles and skin to skin. He tossed and turned a bit more than usual (although not much, kid never stays still for more than a minute). Then he drifted off into a sweet nap.

Bedtime was similar. I almost caved at nap time and bed time that day but felt this was right for us.

He slept so soundly that first night without milk, well after he toddled his way back to my bed shortly after falling asleep and felt my skin to sooth himself back to sleep. One step at a time, I guess. He can sleep in my bed for a bit longer if it makes him feel safer.

I feel sad that I never snapped a last nursing pic. He sure loved to nurse and talk about his nursing.

He still has a few food allergies/intolerances, though we have successfully introduced a few foods back into his diet with no problem. We now face a new normal. I have to figure out how to get him to sleep without nursing on my work nights. I have to figure out when I feel safe enough to introduce the foods back into my system since I don't have to avoid anything due to nursing him. I have to figure out how to teach him that I may be able to eat something that isn't safe for him after he and I sharing the same diet for so long.

I'm ready. I think he is ready. He didn't even ask to nurse today, third day of weaning. He just snuggled me. He did skip his nap but he sometimes skipped it even with the milkies. :)

I feel like he is sleeping more soundly (as long as he is near me) than when he nursed. It is hard letting go with him being my last baby, of course. 

Three Daring Years of Dax

 

I just cannot get enough of this sweet smile. Dax is looking so big lately. I absolutely love watching him grow and learn. I say it with each kid but I'll say it again. I'm so blessed to get a front row seat to this little man's life. So blessed. He so much fun to be around.

 

 

Dax loved being sung to. He had to wait through his dad's birthday, his sister's birthday, and then my birthday before it got to his. He kept saying it was his birthday and he needed to be sung to. It was about the cutest thing ever. He loves having everyone's attention.

 

Dax loves playtime. He enjoys Legos, cars, swords, toy guns, balls, and action figures. Dax really likes to dump out all his toys and then laugh. I just don't get it. He loves to play pretend. He pretends to be a shop keeper and sell things. He pretends to cook and eat and serve food. He pretends he is a superhero and a ninja, jumping and pretend flying all over the place. He insists on going to the park every single day. His favorite part is the baby swings.

 

When Wen is home, Dax can be found somewhere near his daddy. He loves to climb all over him like a jungle gym, wrestle him like crazy, and watch cartoons together. They go on trips to the store alone where Dax always gets a small candy treat. He walks around asking for daddy when he is at work.

 

I just love that little dimple! Dax says, "I'm boss." He really likes it when people listen to him and follow his requests. Of course. His laugh is so adorable.

 

Ainzley and Dax love to put on face paint, read together, and they often play fight together. Dax loves snuggling Ainzley and sitting with her while she plays on her IPad. Dax likes to snuggle her and watch movies with her. He loves to play pretend and ride scooters with her as well. 

 

Anything Chaz can do, Dax can, too. It cracks me up to watch him mimic his big brother so much. He really thinks Chaz is a big deal! Chaz often wrestles Dax, throws him in the air, and snuggles him. Dax often looks for his Chaz. Chaz comes home from school and immediately yells for Dax to come hug him. They have a special bond. They like to go on walks together and exercise together.

 

Brijet and Dax play piggy back rides and doggy together. It is so amusing to watch. Jet gets down on her hands and knees and pretends to be an animal, dog or cat, whatever. Dax gets a snack and feeds his "dog" and Jet makes a fort using couch cushions, chairs, blankets, etc., for the "dog" to live in. She is also the one who cuts his fingernails and he loves it for some reason.

 

Dax is a character full of craziness. He recently started sitting down, holding his hands up, and saying "oooohhhm" to calm himself. He just does this in the middle of whatever we are doing.

 

 

Dax sure loves his mama. He had his last bit of nursing milkies as he fell asleep on his third birthday. He loves to be touching my skin as he drifts off to sleep and reaches for me at night. He likes to help me cook and do a bit of cleaning. He really likes when I take him to the park the best.

 

Dax isn't interested in learning his shapes, colors, alphabet, or numbers. I work it into our days when I can. He loves the number 3 for some reason. His answer for most things is "free" (3). He did learn the stop lights and could be found saying "red stop" and "green go" for the longest time. He even made it into a game with the kids on their scooters. If the kids have friends over, Dax claims them as his friends and insists they play with him. He gets so upset when his siblings leave him for the day for school or play. He is happiest when his family is all together either in the house or out enjoying a family fun day. He is very vocal about what he wants even with his delayed speech. He is still avoiding a few foods due to allergies/intolerances but we have successfully introduced 3 of his suspected foods into his diet and he has done well! I am so happy for my little man.

 

I just love this toddler/preschool age. It is such a fun, crazy age. Dax is making me smile daily.

 

Happy Birthday my sweet Dax. I love being your mama.

Ainz Rocks 8!

 

I can't get enough of that lovely smile. My sweet Ainz is growing up so fast. She turned 8 this month and was so excited. She asked about her birthday for months beforehand. She could barely sleep the night before and kept reminding us about her birthday! LOL

 

I love her enthusiasm! This shirt fits my Ainzley so very well. She is into the glamour, makeup, dressing up, and taking pictures. :) Maybe she got that last part from me.

 

 

I love watching her creative side when she works on her art. She convinced daddy to get her some glitter and went crazy! Glitter is all over my house! Haha. Perks of having a sweet girl.

 

 

We don't do big parties anymore so Ainzley was able to pick just a few friends to come over, sing, eat ice cream (she doesn't like cake), and play around. They did some art stuff and ran around like crazy.

 

Ainzley has such a sweet side. She works hard to comfort her baby brother and help him out even though he is pretty rotten to her. She loves to snuggle and offers to help out around the house.

 

I love seeing her so happy. She loved the rides at the Fall Fest here in town. Hearing her giggle is one of the best things ever. I love finding out what makes her happy and getting to know her personality as she grows and changes. It really is a blast to watch her grow. 

 

I love that she will pose for pics for me when I have a cute idea for a snapshot.

 

I'm pretty sure she is part monkey. No fear. Climbs to the top of whatever is around.

 

This kid loves gymnastics. She is really natural at it. She teaches herself from watching videos as we cannot afford to get her into gymnastics. We found a gymnastics place that allows a free play once a week so we went to try it out. She loved being able to use all the equipment.

 

 

Ainzley, of course, climbed on everything and jumped off everything.

 

I think she liked the trampoline a ton!

 

My sweet Ainz is 8. IT just seems so crazy to me. I close my eyes and picture her tiny 2-year-old self clinging to my shirt, hanging out my sling. I am so blessed to be her mama.

 

Happy 8th Birthday my sweet Ainzley.

*Nine* My Cool Jet is 9!

How do 9 years seem to go by so quickly yet so slowly at the same time?  

 

 

My baby girl is a big 9 now. That seems to much bigger than 8, so much closer to the teen years.

 

I look in awe at her beautiful face and wonder how our family got so blessed to have her.

 

She comes up with her own idea of how things should be and works hard to enforce her way.

 

Brijet plays so well with her siblings, making them all laugh to pieces.

 

 

One of her favorite foods is Chinese food so it is a special treat for her and her daddy to go out to a Chinese buffet together.

 

My Brijet is simple. She loves art and these little Glamour stuffed animals.  She says she will be an author, illustrator, teacher, and be super rich when she grows up.

 

She also says she will not marry anyone cause boys are gross and she will have no kids cause kids are just too hard on a mom.

 

I am loving my front row seat to witness her journey and loving every scene along the way.

All About The Chaz - *15*

Fifteen years ago changed my life forever. We became a family of 3, the beginning of my journey as a parent. I can remember that powerful feeling of pure love the moment I held my sweet baby Chaz.

 

Wen and I carefully chose a name and discussed newborn care. We had ideas of what parenthood would bring us, what this tiny being placed in our arms would need, but parenting teaches you so much. Everything isn't in the parenting books and, although parenting advice flows freely, things still came as a surprise and fell under the 'no one ever tells you' category of parenting.

 

 

Dear Chaz,

 

This front row seat to watch your journey through life has been one of the best parts of my life. Seriously. I eagerly watch with anticipation for the next act or chapter yet hold tight to the last image. It isn't easy to watch you grow and become your own person because you will always be my baby. 

 

 

 You are so loved. You have been loved on from day 1. You were the first grandchild of the families. Oh you so loved the attention.  

 Your aunts and uncles adored you.  You learned a lot from each and every one.

You loved playing outside and going for walks. You started asking questions as soon as you could talk and never stopped. You never followed the crowd, always opted for your own ideas.  

 

 You learned everything so quickly and then were eager to learn more.  Reading became a passion, it seems, and you just kept reaching for more.

 

I have loved watching you grow and change over the years. You have a great sense of humor and make me laugh daily. I love that you question and research everything.

 

I cannot believe you will be a full fledged adult in just 3 years. I remember watching you grow yet wonder where the time even went. I am so thankful that I was chosen as your mama. I look back and wonder how we got so lucky. You are truly one amazing young man.

 

I really look forward to watching you change through these high school years. I am eager to see where life takes you; yet, I want to hold you tight and savor these times together.

 

Happy, happy birthday.

 

I love you so very much, my son.

 

Love, Mummzy.

 

Dear Chaz, You Teach Me So Much

I just adore you.

 

I love watching you grow and change. 

 

You are my oldest baby, my sweet boy, yet so grown.

 

 

 I remember your stories of your imaginary friends. You always questioned everything and were eager to learn more. You taught me so much about how to be a mom.

 

I love how you give me history lessons. You make them so fun and have a wonderful speaking voice.

 

You have a firm set of beliefs, research everything, and keep an open mind.

 

You are caring and have a great attitude about life.

 

Simply put, you make my heart sing.

 

I am blessed to have a front row seat to view your journey in life. I am loving our time together and am eager to see where life takes you!

 

Love,

Mom

Their Childhood Versus Mine

I need to record their reactions when I tell my children about my childhood. Seriously, they look at me like I have 3 heads.

Wash dishes *by hand*
Do all the laundry, including iron and put away
Change my brother's cloth diapers
Then wash them out
Babysit my baby brother without my mom around
Vacuum all rooms
Walk to school without an adult
Cook
No air conditioner
No cartoons on demand
No computer

My childhood was way different than their childhood is. It is just interesting to note the differences.  Time and technological advances changed so much.

Oh, they cannot fathom their nana spanking or screaming! She is a sweet lady with them filled with hugs and makeup.

I am thankful for my mom being strict. I am thankful she taught me how to take care of a home so it wasn't such a shock when I grew up and did it alone.

My kids have a list of chores to get done on a regular basis. They often grumble about it (as I did as a kid) but it is good for them to have some responsibility. Responsibility doesn't just magically appear when they turn 18 and leave home. It has be encouraged, nurtured, taught. Each family has their own way to trying to accomplish this. Each parent hopes they are choosing the right way for their children to grow into kind, responsible adults.

I hope they will realize one day just how much love and care we put into raising them. I hope they understand why we made them work hard at school and taught them how to take care of a home. I hope they see how much we worked on our marriage to make sure we provided a stable home for them. I hope we are modeling a decent marital relationship for them.

 

These four have my heart and I only want the absolute best for them.

 

Thank you, Dax

Thank you, my sweet Dax, for teaching me that there is more than one right way of doing things.

 

 

Thank you for teaching me to seek out happiness and find joy.

 

 

Thank you for showing me to step out of my comfort zone.

 

Thank you for helping me find smiles as we navigate these food allergies.

 

Thank you for teaching me to look for adventure in a day of play.

 

Breastfeeding is Bliss

I had my first baby when I was 16 and knew I wanted to nurse my sweet baby.

I knew no one who nursed their baby. I do not even remember seeing a picture of anyone breastfeeding.

I read about it in a book and they talked about it in birthing class. That was my limited knowledge of the whole thing.

I had no idea it could become a controversial thing. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I just decided to go with it and see what I could do.

It was the most amazing thing.

It was just so natural.

I was in awe that my body could grow a tiny human being and then nourish him fully.

It was more than nourishment though.

Nursing my babies brought them comfort when they were upset, calmed them when they were overwhelmed, brought smiles and joy to tiny faces.

I loved our bonding times over nursing my sweet babies.

I am very blessed that I was able to nurse all 4 of my children.

There is nothing better in the world that seeing your newborn baby smile with content and joy as they satisfy their tummy.

Each of my children nursed for different amounts of time. Each came with their own set of difficulties. I am still nursing my 28-month-old son even though I swore 24 months was my maximum nursing limit!

Funny how babies change their mamas.

Parenting a Toddler With Food Allergies/Intolerances is...

*Reading every label

and then reading it again.

*Using 2 knives for the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and toast with butter and jam

because the jam has to stay safe.

*Hiding unsafe foods for the older kids

because the toddler likes to sneak food.

*Preparing several meals at once to keep all happy

and labeling the safe one for the toddler.

*Extra prep and anxiety for any party or get together

because you have to bring safe food and dessert so the toddler can feel included.

*Chasing a toddler around and never letting him out of your site at gatherings with food

because someone will eventually set something unsafe down and your toddler will get try to eat it and be ill.

*Watching for signs of reaction with breath held

because you aren't sure if he actually ate that unsafe food.

*Carrying around medicine/Benadryl/EpiPen and having an action plan

because he could react at any time, anywhere.

*Educating every person who will be with your toddler

so you can have another set of eyes and hands if needed.

*Taking up a ton of your time to research recipes and safe foods

because avoiding 7 foods makes cooking a little difficult.

*Calling restaurants or scouring the online menus

to try to find a safe place for family outings.

*Packing safe food for even short trips around the city

because you are not positive there will be a safe restaurant close by in case you do not get home in time for the meal.

*Planning playdates around food

to be sure the toddler can have safe foods and happily play.

*Questioning every tummy ache and vomit

because that could be a reaction to a food.

*In my thoughts all the time, every day

because food is everywhere and all the time.

*Scouring the health food section at the stores or finding specialty store

because you need unique things like millet flour, coconut milk, psyllium husk, nutritional yeast, and tapioca starch to make safe, tasty foods.

*Learning how to substitute ingredients in recipes

because finding a recipe that excludes all your child's allergens is hard but you still want to make yummy foods for them.

*Sometimes lonely.

Candle Fun and Dax's Speech Delay

 

It is no secret I love photography. I also cannot get enough of this little guy! Dax had so much fun blowing out the candle repeatedly. It was a great activity to work on his mouth muscles and patience.

Dax is a little over 2 years old. He is able to say just a few words.

Dax was saying a handful of words very clearly about a year ago. A seizure hit him and his words disappeared completely. I worked with him constantly and he finally found the word mama. That was all he could say for a while. I worked hard to find him help and set up speech therapy but it is a long process. In the meantime, I worked with him daily.  We worked on learning some sign language to help us communicate. 

 

 

Can you imagine how frustrating it is to see everyone around you communicating their needs and being stuck with no one understanding you? We worked with Dax so much to figure out ways for him to get his needs and wants communicated.

 

Dax has now been in speech therapy for a couple months and it has helped so much. He can say a few more words and tries hard to make more sounds. He is nowhere near the speech capabilities of a child his age but he is moving forward. The big 3 help tremendously in getting him to make sounds.

 

We will never know exactly why he lost his words or had trouble catching up to his peers. We have learned that he is more likely to mimic a sound when we do big motions while making the sound. He likes things big, wild, loud, and exaggerated so that is what we do to encourage him to talk!

He and I are home all day together. I don't really notice his speech delay too much. It is just who he is. However, when we are out and about with other children around, I notice it so much. The saddest part is that the kids, the little people his size, notice it even more. They yell at him. They ask him why he can't talk, which, of course, he can't respond. They talk, loudly, to their friends about that weird kid with no words. Ugh. It sucks big time. He is too young to realize it but this mama's heart hurts. I hope he either catches up to his peers completely before school or has some extra kind and compassionate children in his classes.