Dear Grace

Dear Grace,

I can not believe that in 3 short months you will be 3 years old. Your time with me has impacted my life so greatly that it seems much longer.

My girlie. You came into this world on an icy January night. Two hours of pushing a baby we didn’t know was almost 10 pounds. You entered the world silently, but didn’t stay that way for long. You had an agenda right from the start. Milk.

I spent hours nursing you while you sweetly stared at me until you drifted off to sleep, suckling all the while. As you grew, your desire to nurse never waned. 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, and now 33 months. Still going strong. Learning to share with your brother, this tiny being who invaded your world without your consent. Occasionally you tell me milk is for babies and you are a big girl, and my heart knows that eventually the day will come when you decide you are finished with this chapter. For now though, you snuggle next to me at night, and nurse while we sing the abc’s two times.

We rarely get time together, just the two of us. Your little brother is becoming so interested in you and playing with you. He looks at you with such love and adoration. The moments we get are special. I treasure them. Each night we get two abc’s of snuggle time, just you and me. I hope it last a little longer.

You have taught me to be strong. I’ve held you through illness, injury, and mean words from “big kids.” Your spirit is big, your smile is contagious, and your laughter brightens my days.

You have taught me to do what’s right for us and don’t worry about anyone else. Nursing an older toddler doesn’t come without judgement and sideways glances. I will never let other people’s opinions get in the way of what’s best for you.

You have taught me about love. A love I didn’t know existed until you burst into my world. We are connected in a way that only a mom can understand, grown from my body and my breasts, but mostly from my heart.

Thank you Grace. For being mine. For taking me on this journey. For healing my heart every single day. Every hug, every smile, every laugh, and every latch. Every day you light up my world. As we continue to grow up together, I hope that you always know how thankful I am for you. For all that you are, for all that you’ve taught me, and for all that you bring to my life.

Love,
Mama