I think it’s been 4 days since Charlotte last nursed.  She has rocked it teatless!  I think the day she turned 13 months was the first day of no boob.  She hasn’t had a bottle in a month.  Boo yah!  That’s my girl!  I’m so proud of her.  I feel like we timed it pretty good so she breastfed the full first year, but then didn’t go too long past that so that she would be able to “ask” for it.  She hasn’t missed a bottle except at school when all the other babies are drinking theirs.  Sorry kiddo, you turned 1 so Mama stopped washing bottles.  Charlotte’s slowly warming up to whole milk in a sippy cup.  Again, she’s been a rock star with all this.

Mama on the other hand is struggling a tad.

I’ve been consulting my home doctor and master diagnostician, the Internet.  I was quite sure for a few days that I had either Appendicitis, Diverticulitis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or some other abdominal affliction.  I don’t.  No one told me about the cramping when you’re weaning.  Thank you Twitter friends for giving me the heads up as I had flashbacks to labor pains.

The best thing about breastfeeding was the bonding with my baby and knowing she was getting the “good stuff.”

That’s what I’m supposed to say, right?  Yes, that was wonderful.  But if I’m being really honest, I loved breastfeeding because I could eat anything I wanted and not work out that much.  I mean, slipping into my jeans 1 week postpartum and eating pizza and cookies was amazing!  That alone made the entire year of pumping 3 times a day and nursing totally worth it.

Yeah, well.  That (literal) gravy train is over.  When I stopped pumping last month, naturally I got busty quickly.  Then I noticed my pants were a tad tighter.  This week, after the nursing stopped, I couldn’t button my jeans.  I can’t take my rings off.

I’m so puffy and bloaty and my baby is all grown up!  Waaahhhhh!

Alright, my weaning whining is done.  I’m off to the gym.

A friend asked me this week, “How long did you breastfeed?”  I paused and said, “Oh!  I still am.”  This response was met with a slight look of surprise.  I went on, “Well, I mean, I’ve gone this long.  I might as well go the full 12 months!”  Charlotte will be 10 months old tomorrow.  (::sniff:: ::sniff)  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least 12 months.  Another mom friend asked me, “How have you done it for so long?”