So, yeah, Ingrid is a year. And that means I’ve earned my Breastfeeding Merit Badge, as she’s been nursing just as long, and still is, with no plans wean on this end, at this time.

Breastfeeding is weird, you know? It’s so political and emotionally charged and all this …. stuff, and one always has to disclaim it, "happy mama=happy baby," etc, and I truly believe that. But in all of the political correctness, I feel a little shy about admitting that… I’m really proud of myself. Not just my self, but my body. It’s the first thing it really did right, it feels like, and it has done it SO right.  I never felt conflicted about nursing, i always knew I wanted to, and even nursing in public… I was nervous the first few times, but then it became almost a source of pride, like "HELL YEAH, I’m feeding my baby the ol’ fashioned way! What of it?"  When I worked, I pumped, and while she never needed much of the pumped stuff and did a bit of reverse cycling, but… it worked. it worked! that’s so amazing to me. Insert disclaimer here, but hot damn, I am really proud to have hit that milestone.

I’m sure people will start asking or wondering or maybe making comments like "if they’re old enough to ASK…" (which, as another internet friend mentioned, "she’s been asking all along" and I’d add a ",dumbass" to that) and I plan to just smile n’ nod and say "there are lots of benefits to toddler nursing…" or something. Anyway. Go me & my boobs.