The end of an era

Well, I think it's official.  We are done nursing.  Last night, before I put her in bed, Lucy was told that our final nursing session (4am) was not going to happen anymore.  For the last year or so, she's nursed before nap, bedtime, and at 4am.  In the last weeks, we've said goodbye to the first two, replacing them with "a big hug" when I hug her tight, rub her back, and sing to her.  She was no longer saying "I want to nuuuuuurrrrrse" at those times anymore, but still calling out at 4am.   Two nights ago, we had our finale.  I knew we were getting close and this particular time ended with the kind of peaceful resolve that I have hoped for.  She nursed, then before I put her back in her bed, she asked for a "big hug".  I held her and rubbed her back and put her peacefully satisfied back in her bed.  The end of an era. 

 If you would have told me years ago that I would nurse my babies for nearly 2 years (or more than 2 years) each, I'd have thought that was a little nuts.  What kind of crazy woman nurses a child who can speak in full sentences, eat cheeseburgers, and say the alphabet?  Well, come to find out, I'm that kind of crazy woman.  Come to find out, it felt more natural and beneficial (not more nuts) to continue nursing.  And, come to find out, the World Health Organization has recognized the many, many benefits of breast feeding for mother and child and has recommended that, whenever possible, mothers nurse their babies to at least age 2.   And come to find out, I have a different perspective now on Paul's words on craving the Lord like a baby craves a mother's milk.  And, come to find out, it hasn't been a burden or weird or draining to nurse any of my children.  Rather, it has been a source of comfort, nourishment, closeness, and health.  It has been such an easy, natural, peaceful part of raising my babies into toddlers.  I've nursed them in all moods (mine and theirs) in countless places, homes, and countries, at all times of day and night, and it has been a very good thing.  At the end of this era, I find my eyes welling with tears.  This is the end of babyhood in our home, the end of being a nursing momma, the end of serving my babies in this awesome way.   I'll hang on to having one diapered kiddo in a crib with a paci for a little while longer, but this part of babyhood is over.  My reward for crossing the finish line?  I mean, other than deep satisfaction?  A night or two away from my babies in a few weeks with dear hubby.  There are some perks to being at the end of this era...