David, Lisa, Kayla, Isaac & Annika

We heard a sermon this month that talked about change. Our pastor asked if anyone was a little sad at how quickly our children were growing up? He said that he doesn't want his son to be in 3rd grade forever, but it's still a little sad to know that he won't be at this stage for long. It's a good thing for children to grow up.... but it's a change. And even though the change is good, and a change that you desire for your child, it's still a little sad.

I found this sermon to really hit home. We are truly enjoying watching Kayla grow up. Each stage she hits brings new challenges and new rewards. The rewards far outweigh any challenges we face. She is really developing her vocabulary and it is fun to be able to reason and communicate with her. But there is a little mourning that comes with her growing up.

We have officially weaned this last week. It happened completely unplanned, which I am thankful for. I had been OK with the idea of weaning her for awhile, and she seemed OK with not nursing any longer as well. She still enjoyed our 1 nursing session, as did I, but if I didn't get up with her first thing she didn’t need it or miss it. When my mother-in-law came in town I went to work before Kayla woke up, or mom got up with her while I slept in, and weaning just sort of happened. And we both seem OK with that arrangement. I had a good cry this weekend - not because I am sad to not nurse her, I guess more because it is a change that comes with a loss. It is a good thing - I didn't want to nurse her forever, and the fact that it happened so naturally was a huge blessing. But it's still sad to me. It's sad to me that this precious part of our relationship is over. I have treasured this aspect of our relationship and I am really proud that we've continued it as long as we have. She has been really precious lately - asking to nurse, pointing to me and saying "yummy-yummy-yummy" and pulling off and being so happy and content. I've found myself needing extra time to snuggle with her since we've weaned, I do miss that contact. But it's a good change. She is growing up, and that is exciting to me, even though a touch of sadness comes along too. We made it almost 20 months nursing, and I will treasure that time forever.