Weaned!!!

I've been exclusively breastfeeding Nina since she was born and it has been a source of pride and joy for me to be able to do that.  When she turned 2, her pediatrician felt that she was underweight and needed to gain more pounds especially with her forthcoming surgeries so we were forced to supplement with formula milk.  But, it was always a given that come night time - it would be her time to directly feed from mommy.

Lately, I've been having some health issues that required my intake of a certain medicine which was not advisable for breastfeeding moms.  Of course, I initially chose not to take the meds so I could continue to provide milk for Nina.  But, their dentist had recently advised us that we needed to make sure that her night time feedings are lessened and that the last thing she does before going to sleep was to brush her teeth.  If I continued to breastfeed this would not be possible because aside from the fact that she's latched on to me until she falls asleep, most of the time she's latched throughout the evening!  It's come to a point where in these past few evenings it has become harder for me to pry her away.  I often have sneak out of bed to sleep on the floor so that she wouldn't latch on and also so that I can get some sleep.  But then after just a few minutes, she wakes up and cries for me and I have to go back to our bed.

So, I finally decided it was about time to wean her.  We tried to condition her about it the first few evenings but it didn't work.  I tried placing Calamansi but the taste didn't seem to bother her at all.  Eventually, we were able to find a solution that worked.  I started last night but wasn't quite as successful.  But tonight, it worked perfectly.  To top it off, Nina now sleeps while hugging me!  And that's one position that I can't and will not even complain about.

Yes, I think she has been weaned.  Aside from finally being able to take my prescribed medication, perhaps now, I can sleep better :)  Come to think of it, with a baby as sweet as her hugging me, how could I not?

Marked Improvements

It's been a while since Nina started with her speech therapy classes.  Although I was initially not that pleased with her therapist because I felt that she was unable to maximize their (expensive) 1-hour sessions, I have to admit that she has contributed a great, great deal in Nina's progress.

These days, our little girl is like a parrot constantly mimicking what we say and what we do.  She has always been quite observant but these days, she constantly tries to make use of her growing vocabulary to point out objects and places around her.  We were surprised at how clearly she was able to say "umbrella" one time as well as other words like "fishy", "ayaw ko" (I don't like) and "hati tayo" (let's share).  Her teachers are surprised as well.  Of course, there are some words that are still difficult to understand but I know that with constant practice and with God's grace, she will continue to improve.

We are particularly proud that she has maintained her independent nature and would most of the time, refuse our offers for assistance, insisting that she be allowed to do things by herself, in her own way.  Yes, she is stubborn, but I believe that it's her stubborn determination and independence that helps advance inspite of the challenges she has ahead of her.  Now that's what you call a WINNER in the making!

Nina, you make everyone around you so blessed and so proud to be a part of your life.  You really are an inspiration!

our Little Miss Sunshine

Not Her But We

Whenever people see how far Nina has gone with her development, there will always be someone who would eagerly tell us that hubs and I make great parents and that she has improved greatly because of us.  Comments like these make me cringe - mainly because I know that we aren't perfect parents.  Now don't get me wrong, and this is not false humility but really - as parents, we can only do so much.  Yes, it is a fact that we try our best to do what we can for Nina, but I feel all these would be nothing if it weren't part of His bigger plan.

I personally believe that everything that happens has been planned even before we were born.  Our daughter has a mission on earth, and we, her parents have one as well.  In as much as we try our best to fulfill what we think is our purpose - if He does not anoint our actions and our decisions, these would be nothing.

They say our daughter is lucky to have us as her parents.  While that may be true, I say that we are even luckier to have her come into our lives because she has taught us so many lessons in life that we never expected, and has given us so many things to be grateful for.  So who is it that is blessed?  I'd say it was we rather than her... and all this is because of Him who never, never fails us - no matter how doubtful and unworthy we are.