Before my blog’s updates last month, I have been MIA for like five months. It even came to my mind to give up for I’m almost losing the spark to blog. I don’t really mean inspiration because it’s always there. I just lost the guts and motivation to sit in front of my laptop and type I’m sure some of you have experienced this. And it’s totally weird that I’ve always wanted to regularly update this blog but can’t find the willingness to do so. Most of the time, my body won’t cooperate. And no, I’m not sick.
BIRTHDAY
My son turned 2 last April and I did almost everything DIY. When he turned 1 last year, I had most of the things needed ordered and had them shipped. Yes, costly. This year, I decided to just make use of my time instead to prepare everything on my own. It took me more than 2 weeks to finish name standees for I had only available time during my son’s sleeping hours. I was able to save 75% for the standee alone. Each 8″ letter standee will cost you 80 pesos and since my son’s name has 14 letters, I may need to pay more than a thousand. While doing it on my own only cost me less than 300. I also designed and print invitation cards on my own.
TRAVELING
For the last couple of months, we had to go to the city almost every week and traveling with a picky-eater toddler is sometimes a struggle. Most of the time food found in the malls are not his type so we often ended up with nuggets or waffles or cereals and just breastfed.
HEALTH
When my son turned 2, I know for a fact that my breastmilk is no longer enough to support the nutrition he needs. Unfortunately, he’s a breastmilk dependent. Whenever he saw me preparing food, he will immediately cry for ‘dede’. And more often than not won’t get up in the morning unless he’s already full with breastmilk, another reason to refuse breakfast and other meals. Although he remained very active, it was very noticeable how much he lost weight.
WEANING
As a first time mother and a breastfeeding one, it is very hard for me to finally come to a decision to stop nursing my child. At first, I was really hesitant, actually more on being worried about the outcome. It is one of a kind bonding a mother and child could have and I’m pretty sure that by this time I’m writing this post, I am missing it, so much!
Seeing my son wanting to nurse but couldn’t is really hard. I felt guilty most of the time. Even asked myself if I’m a good mom or is it really the right time to stop. But because of the food refusal and breastmilk dependent of a 2-year-old child, I believe I have made the right decision. Basing on how my son is now, a toddler who wakes up every morning with a good appetite for the rest of the day is somehow rewarding.
38 Comments
The length of time we breastfeed isn't a measure for how good a mother we are. 🙂
I would also want to have my little girl's 2nd bday to be a DIY one this year. Hopefully you could share how you did yours hehe 😉
Belated happy birthday to your son! I can relate to losing interest in blogging, I've experienced that so many times already. I'm glad to hear that you did not completely stop. there should always be a reason to continue. We can always at anytime as long as we don't completely stop 🙂
I feel you, sometimes I don't have time to blog because I'm so preoccupied with so many things. But the longest so far that I've been MIA was two weeks. BTW, I like the letter standee.
There are times i feel the same. It's not that I don't have something to write (in fact there are a lot of things to write about) but because of time. Talking about birthdays, we decided to have family getaway to celebrate birthdays of our kids rather than parties.
I've been there sis, MIA for almost 6 months and my website was hacked. 🙁 I also can relate about the blogging interest, I have so many things on my plate right now just like last year and I might be MIA again 🙁 Flying hugs for you mommy, I'm sure everything will be alright. ♥
Sometimes life really gets in the way of blogging. Haha! But I do get blogging burnout too. When I do, I just take a break also and just enjoy life. 🙂
Planning for my son 6th birthday, will try to have some DIY good luck to me
I feel you on weaning a breastmilk dependent child, it's really difficult. We've just gotten over the i-don't-like-food-until-your-breastfeed-me-first stage and I swear I almost gave up. Now, she eats regularly but still breastfeeds just to get to sleep.
Oooh, I feel that too. Great job on the DIY name standees! 🙂 I love DIY too. Good job with weaning. It's good also for him not to be dependent on breastmilk alone and to try other food for nourishment. 🙂
I want to have DIY name standees too for my youngest daughter's birthday soon! Good job with weaning. 🙂
Weaning is a really hard stage and it's ok to feel like that, you're not alone..
Life is what you make it 🙂
I, too, consider giving up blogging from time to time! But I "force" myself to keep on writing because I know I will regret giving it up haha. Congratulations on weaning your child successfully! It was difficult for me too (my son was almost 3 then), and I think I took it harder than him hehehe.
You will always know what is best for your child sis. I also felt guilty when I threw out my daughter's pacifier like a cold turkey, but I knew it was for the best. 🙂
I can totally relate! Each year since i started blogging, I've always had a few months of zero blogposts LOL I'm actually still trying to get back into the groove! 🙂
You know, even if your son wasn't crying, mahirap talaga for the mom to wean. I didn't have a problem with weaning my kids to bottle-feed, but I had some sort ofseparation anxiety. And naiyak ako kasi mami miss ko their eyes peeking at me and yung sinisiksik ako, hihi.
I'm gonna do a DIY stuff for my niece's 1st birthday on October. Goodluck to the me, hopefully I could unleash some creativity powers like yours 🙂
I like doing DIY parties myself. It's more personal and comes with so much love.
Belated happy birthday to the young man. Breastfeeding is one of the blessings i am able to share with my son and i hope we reach that two years. Weaning our kids may be hard but I guess our children will also send cues when they are ready. Blogging is something i believe most of us is passionate about and even if we be MIA for a week or even months, we will always go back to it as it has always been a passion.
The letter standees are so cute, they really looked like minions! I also breastfeed my son (20 months old) and we are unli-latch, I'm a sahm btw. Though he can survive a day without my milk when I'm outside. He can now eat what we eat but I still prefer to continue breastfeeding as long as he wants, maybe up to 3 years of age.
I guess its difficult to wean a child who is used to being breastfed. On the other hand, its healthy. 🙂
Belated happy birthday to your little one!
I guess most of us have experienced this one time or another as blogging more often take the backseat to give way to more pressing demands and more important matters like our children and family. I am sure you will get your groove back on sooner. Just hang in there and continue to prioritize those that matter most!
Have a lovely week ahead! 🙂
My friends who are also a fist time mom experienced that kind of situation, most of them stopped breastfeeding their child when they reached three years old of age, as that was most of their doctor said for a more healthy food source for a toddler. Teaching them to eat was the hardest part at first, but now, whenever I visit them, I can see their child healthier and bonds with them very well. Well, good luck on raising your son and wish you all the best!
I like your son’s name Archie. So cute, and seeing his face, it fits him very well. Deciding to stop nursing at two years old is a personal decision by the mother. There is no right and wrong answer to that.
Cute little one! Ah, for angels like this. It’s worth all the trouble, I know! They’re a taste of heaven here on earth. 🙂
It’s nice to see that you were hands on for your son’s party. It’s a bit tiring but I’m sure it would be much more appreciated.
Your son is so cute!! I love the Minion-inspired candles that spell out his name! :O
You are a good & caring mother Cheryl. God bless you & your son. Good luck with your DIY stuff…
Being a mother is never been easy, I salute you for being strong and for doing a good job in nurturing your son. The DIY birthday party for your son is something a child can be happy of, he’ll surely treasure everything whatever you’ve done to him.
I too sometimes feel demotivated or simply lazy to update my blog. More of a mental block I would say. Keep going by the way! You write really well..
You have a very cute and lovely son.
As many says, terrible twos.
Enjoy your everyday life with with growing son.
Good and lovely and simple life you have there!~ Being a mother ain’t easy but the non-easy part comes with the most rewarding part…When we see our kids smile..
It’s definitely more affordable to do things yourself than to buy them! Awesome job with the letters. I think it’s the right decision to wean your son, it has made him healthier and it was about time he started eating food too.
Thanks for sharing this part about your life. I know how tiring it can get to have to continue blogging. Hope this post is a good let-out for you! Rant all you can! xoxo
How old is too old for a child to still be drinking breastmilk? I think at two though, it’s time for him to start appreciating and learning the habit of drinking powdered milk.
Happiest 2nd birthday to your little one! My youngest just turned two too! I can relate with you with the traveling part. My son has a few allergies, so it’s a bit hard to eat out. Most of the time we bring him his own food. So traveling is stressful too!
I’d have to disagree with the comment that two is old enough for a toddler to stop breastfeeding or drinking expressed breastmilk. I love breastfeeding and I really, really promote it to my new mommy friends as much as I can (without being pushy). I breastfed my eldest until he was 3.5 years old, I stopped because I was pregnant with his baby brother and I was getting contractions when he’d nurse. That’s the only reason why I stopped. Otherwise, I’d continue if the situation allowed it.
Wow thanks for sharing your motherhood journey with us. All the best and take care.
When do children usually stop getting breastfed? Cute boy! I can relate to your blogging dilemma. Sometimes, even if I`m not really “feeling it,” I just sit in front of the laptop and write anyway because while I do so, I start getting excited about writing.
– Grace