Milk does a Body Good

*** This post might be awkward for anyone who had adverse reactions to reading about breastfeeding. LOL. Livy, Well, you turned 1. Can't believe my little sweet pea is now 13 months old and your first birthday came and went. We had an awesome party that included all four of your grandparents and a bunch of your friends. About 30 or more people where there to celebrate YOU. You are one blessed, loved little girl. I barely remember all of the work I did to make all of the cupcakes, cookies, snacks, decorations, party favors etc because the actual party itself was so fun. You walked around in your beautiful dress like a princess all afternoon.

You weren't too sure about that cupcake at first but you got the hang of eating that sugary goodness :) You are totally my kid! I have to say though, I kind of thought by 1 year old, you'd be eating waaaay more solid foods and kind of wean yourself off of the breastfeeding. You know at first, breastfeeding you was difficult and painful but I'm glad I stuck through that first week. It's been worth it. Even the early morning/middle of the night/every 2 hour feedings have been worth it. For a while I kind of resented the fact that my body was still adjusting and recovering from childbearing and then I was the one who had to wake up every few hours while your dad slept soundly though the night (how does he do that???) Even still, after 13 months, I occasionally get angry that I can't enjoy a full night sleep without any interruptions while he doesn't even hear your cries over the monitor. But then when I see your sweet face, I'm so blessed that I get to have set-aside, special time with you. I've enjoyed breastfeeding because we get to share intimate moments together of bonding, of me holding you tight and praying over you. Your daddy gets to sleep but we get to bond. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

You know while you're nursing, I tell you all the time how much I love you and I like to think that you love me back, even though you can't express it with words or intentional actions yet. The Bible actually talks a bit about babies and milk and Paul refers to some of his church disciples as babes who are taking in spiritual milk. I realized that when we are baby Christians God gives us the spiritual milk: like breas-tmilk, it is satisfies all of our nutritional needs. It seems that there's a certain growth in Christ that many Christians first have when they come to know God -- like a growth spurt or a "spiritual high." I think its because of the spiritual milk: that's exactly what a new Christian needs to confirm in their hearts that what they believe is true. It's the time when foundations and bonds are formed between us and God. Yet, we're not made to drink breast-milk forever (no matter what some whackos out there say)...we do need to get our nourishment from the solid food. And solids can be troublesome: we can develop allergies, poor eating habits, and get constipated or sick from our foods etc. But we need it just as much as we used to need the breast- milk. Once we start maturing in Christ, we take on the spiritual solid foods -- we weather the storms, we don't let fear, doubt and unbelief shake our faith, and we continue to press on in endurance for the race marked out for us. Instead of seeking God for what He can give us (spiritual milk) we will begin to seek Him for who He is (relationship, love, trust, etc develops). I feel like once you are weaned, true relationship and maturity in Christ can begin. So enjoy your milk as I enjoy feeding you, but the time will come when you will be weaned; I will be sad but I will also be hopeful that our relationship with grow in new, fun ways.

I love you, my precious daughter. Love, your momma