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It just dawned on me. I have officially been pregnant or breastfeeding for the past 5 years straight, with only a 1 month break around January 2015. Like, whoa. The twins are nearly 18 months old now and I've been weaning them gradually. We're at the point where we may have already had our last nursing session - it's kind of hard to ever know when it's really your last, and we may have already had it. It's totally bitter sweet, since these are my last babies, knock on wood, and as the last drop of milk flows from my body to theirs, my days as a Baby Growing Factory will officially be over. I simultaneously want to shout from the rooftops and celebrate with a couple bottles of champagne, while sobbing uncontrollably. The truth is, as hard and overwhelming as it can be at times, it's been equally awesome. I loved being pregnant. Even at 39 weeks with twins, being the size of a house with debilitating hip pain, it is the most amazing experience you can ever imagine - creating and growing life in your body. Every hiccup and stretch, even every kick to your bladder, it's simply breathtaking (in the good and bad way!!). Likewise, birth, though excruciating and disgustingly mortifying (yes, please, let's have a dozen strangers watch babies eject from my vagina, thank you, this is such fun!!!), is incredibly beautiful and life changing. It's truly an experience I wish everyone (who wants it) could have, and leaves my heart weeping for friends who are not able to. RELATED: Don't miss my 2 birth stories: And breastfeeding, ohhhhhh breastfeeding. "Breast is best" and all that. Well, there is a lot of pressure put on women to do this, and I want to say it's not for every woman - either because she can't or it just doesn't work well for her or her baby, and there is nothing wrong with that. FED IS BEST!!! With that said, breastfeeding was an incredible journey for me, with both my son and my girls, and I feel blessed that it worked out for us. It certainly had its highs and lows, though. The painfully cracked nipples and anxiety over whether or not they were getting enough in those early days. The soaked nursing pads and fear of having to nurse in public! But then, suddenly, it all became so easy and beautiful. Having the ability to calm a crying baby isntantly, nourishing them, bonding with them in a way no other person on this earth could. Not having to worry about packing enough formula or cleaning bottles. Over a cumulative 3.5 years of breastfeeding, I have nursed my babies pretty much anywhere imaginable - in a bar, on planes and subways, at the pool... I could write a breastfeeding version of Green Eggs and Ham! But, here I sit, with 1800 wonderful, crazy, painful, beautiful days of pregnancy and breastfeeding behind me. They made up such a huge part of who I was and who I am as a mother. As I get further away from these days of my life, they will likely become fuzzy distant memories, so, I want to pay tribute and immortalize them with some photos of my journey below, and then, when I'm ready, it's about time to organize some sort of booze-filled getaway weekend with my girl friends. BECAUSE I FINALLY CAN!!! Talk about a silver lining :) Collage of my first pregnancy, my son, who made me a mother! From the first sonogram to our first time breastfeeding in public!  Collage of my second pregnancy, my twin girls, who made our family complete :)  And of course I have to include in this tribute the best pregnancy keepsake ever: the stop motion of my twins featuring their adorable big brother!! Did you do anything to commemorate being done with pregnancy and/or breastfeeding? Is it something you look forward to or dread?? Share in a comment below!!
41 Comments
3/29/2017 10:22:01 am
I still miss breastfeeding, more than pregnancy. Probably because I struggled so much with both -- but breastfeeding turned out to be harder. It didn't work with my first kid and then after a cold my 7 month old daughter stopped. I also didn't make enough milk. But #3 lasted to 13 1/2 months (even though I had to supplement one bottle a day -- hungry kid and I just couldn't totally keep up). But as you said, "Fed is Best" and I did that. I didn't do anything to commemorate, but it's a wonderful idea. Moms need to celebrate more! 3/29/2017 11:05:28 am
Awww thanks for sharing, Nancy!!! It's so hard when things don't go as planned, especially when they are things we think our bodies were made to do and are failing us :/ I'm glad you finally had the successful breastfeeding experience you were looking for! 3/30/2017 10:22:28 am
I'm a dad, so I can't 100% relate to what you're talking about, but I can interject from a dad's point of view. I have six kids, two sets of twins in there. Sometimes breastfeeding just isn't possible. With one set of twins it worked well, the other set would have nothing to do with it. Babies are so subjective. As far as I'm concerned, food is food. My kids are all happy and healthy thanks to their good start in life - be it bottle or breast. Thanks for writing.
robin rue
3/30/2017 10:45:04 am
I loved being pregnant, too! It was the best I have ever felt in my life. 3/30/2017 11:17:52 am
I didn't love being pregnant because I was so sick with all of my pregnancies. But breastfeeding was such a journey for me and for my bonds with my daughters - there's no way I'd trade that. My youngest stopped nursing somewhat unexpectedly, and I was heartbroken - it took me a while to realize that it was just time, and to be okay with it. 3/30/2017 12:27:31 pm
This is such a bittersweet time, especially if these are to be your last children. The end of the breastfeeding relationship is hard, it is such a unique and wonderful bond.
Amber Myers
3/30/2017 02:30:32 pm
I personally wasn't thrilled with being pregnant. I just felt huge and sick. Not for me! I had two kids and I was done. 3/30/2017 05:47:28 pm
wow that is crazy. Sometimes we just keep coasting in life and dont even realize a lot has happened in a small amount of time.
Elizabeth O.
3/31/2017 05:49:30 am
I wasn't able to breast feed my twins for that long and I really admire you for doing so. You did a great job and now it's time to retire those breasts. I loved the video! I've seen that around facebook. I can't believe it's you! 3/31/2017 05:51:51 am
It's great that you're finally free from breastfeeding. It's great and it's definitely packed with benefits for your twins but you should also have time to rest and focus on your body. I think 5 years is a long time! 3/31/2017 02:53:33 pm
Wow, what a cute movie and family. It's very nice to see this post :) 3/31/2017 03:44:48 pm
That is a long time to be pregnant and breast feeding. I have never been pregnant or breast fed and don't even want to be. Pregnancy is the furthest thing from my mind, and actually my worst nightmare. Glad you had such a positive outlook on your pregnancy though.
jen
3/31/2017 05:25:00 pm
This was just hysterical and I couldn't agree more! Go enjoy and celebrate Mama you deserve it!
Laura
3/31/2017 11:49:29 pm
Twins would be full on. Sounds like you got through it. I have a love hate relationship with breastfeeding. At times I love it. This is a bond only my son and I have and I know soon he will wean as he is 16 months old. Then I hate breastfeeding at times. There is no schedule and with teething he constantly wants to nurse so I am unable to do anything else. I will miss it when he does wean but there will always be another child hopefully 3 to 5 more.
Blair villanueva
4/3/2017 12:35:37 am
Cute video and am feeling a bit jealous coz you have beautiful kids! Am wishing to have even just one soon :)
Jennifer Smith
4/6/2017 12:03:33 am
Informative post. Many women like to think motherhood is a cake walk. Honesty is needed more often 😁
Amber Ludwig
4/6/2017 04:18:31 pm
And you are a total rockstar!! I love that you always seem like you have so much energy and positivity!! I have one and some days I feel like Im going insane :P Lots of coffee!!! Seriously though, most days are pretty good, we have fun. But there is plenty of yelling and plenty of breaking points, every day! And there are some days here and there were I'm totally unmotivated and just wanna curl up on the sofa and in a time out, but alas, no can do, power through, tomorrow is a new day!!! Leave a Reply. |
 
About Me ^_^I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1). This blog is chock full of product reviews, family travel guides, and giveaways galore! It's also home to Bay Ridge Families, and several guides focused on kid-friendly activities and guides to South Brooklyn, Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, as well as family-friendly destinations beyond the NYC area (check the menu bar!)  
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