Two Weeks!

I am proud to say that I have reached the 2 weeks goal.  I know, it's not much.  But for me, it's a HUGE accomplishment.  Breastfeeding has always been such a struggle for me.  I mean...really really hard...emotionally and physically.  Even this time, Kris was asking me why it's so important for me to breastfeed.  Well, honestly it's supposed to be the most natural thing for a woman to do.  And of all my friends, I'm the only one who has struggled with it.  Even if they've encountered problems, it seems like they've just put the kid to the boob and nursed like it was nothing.  That has not been the case with me.  My boobs have looked like someone put them through a meat grinder.  My babies have thrown up large amounts of my blood.  I've had to pump to give my breasts a break and had 4 streams of milk shoot out because they'd been destroyed so bad.  I've had the lactation consultant tell me that my kids have a high arch and a mean suck and that she wouldn't blame me one bit if I didn't nurse.  Breastfeeding for me has been more like halloween horror nights than a sweet time of bonding with my baby.  So, yes friends, 2 weeks is a huge deal to me!  I've still had bleeding.  Camden threw up some serious blood last week and I freaked out.  But unlike past times, I have been more determined, more intentional, and have had a more realistic expectation of how things would go.  Let's face it - most people completely lie about breastfeeding, stating that it doesn't hurt unless you are doing something wrong.  That's a load! and completely untrue!  Way to make a mom feel like she's a failure.  So, it hasn't been a walk in the park, but it has been sooo much better.  And I can say with pride and a big smile on my face that, at least for now, my baby is exclusively breastfed.  And honestly, if I don't make it another day...I will still be proud of my 2 weeks!