Why I Am Still Breastfeeding My Preschooler

It was exactly a year ago when I wrote about the How and Why of My Breastfeeding Journey. I can't believe that until now I'm still going to write about it. It's not that I'm tired of telling my story about it, it just amazes me how far I have come. I won't ever forget, it's because of God's unending grace in my life.

My Love Bug is almost 4 years old now, 47 months and 28 days to be exact. And I'm happy to tell everyone that she still loves "Mommy's milk". That's how she calls it. Sometimes I wonder if it's just out of habit that she asks for my milk, but as I look at her every time she tells me she wants to "dede" (Filipino word for "nurse"), I can tell that she still likes it. There are times when people around us, specially family members would tease and discourage her from getting this liquid gold but she couldn't be dissuaded. She would always get assurance from me that it's just fine to "drink Mommy's milk".

My Love Bug at 47 months. She nurses when she takes a nap and at bedtime.

"She's older now; a preschooler. Why do you still breastfeed your daughter?" you may ask. I may only have a few reasons why I still do it, but I believe these are enough to continue doing it.

It's just the natural thing to do. From day 1 until today, I believe that feeding one's offspring is a natural thing to do, isn't it? Although there are lower forms of animals that do not care for their young (because they are not given the ability and the wisdom to do so), female mammals (including human moms) are gifted not only with the ability to care for their young but also with this precious milk to nourish them. My daughter would always say, "Mommy, it's okay for me to 'dede', di ba (isn't it)?" And I would assure her, "Yes, it is." :)

I remember that time when I gave birth, I was so afraid I would not be able to breastfeed my daughter. We (my husband, the nurses and I) did everything we could possibly do. Because not even a drop of milk was coming out from my breasts (I have inverted nipples), the nurses got an electric pump and start pumping my breasts. Nothing happened. Then they used a syringe so my nipple would "come out". Still nothing happened. I was petrified. But prayers with faith and persistence really do work. I was determined to breastfeed. So even without seeing that liquid gold I let my baby latched onto me (which I believe is a natural thing to do). And then the "natural thing" happened. The milk just flowed out! Until this day, my preschooler is enjoying and loving it!

The bonding moment is priceless. If I may say this, it's not just my daughter who is emotionally benefitting from breastfeeding her. I am too. I can't describe how I feel every time my daughter nurses. I'm overjoyed! And I can feel how happy she is too. It's like our "date", a special moment between us that even though we don't say a word, she knows she is loved and I am too.

It is a gift that you receive and give as well. I feel so blessed to be given this precious gift. I have learned from a medical practitioner that generally, women have the ability to breastfeed their children and there's only about 1% who wouldn't be able to do so. I am humbled to be part of the 99%. This is the kind of gift that you wouldn't want to keep for yourself. This is the gift that doesn't bless you alone (Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom) but the recipient (your children) as well. Who wouldn't want that kind of gift? :)

Are you a breastfeeding mom too? What are your reasons for doing so? Please feel free to share your thoughts on the comments below. I would love to hear from you.

Happy Breastfeeding Week to all the breastfeeding moms out there! We are blessed so let's be a blessing! :)

My One Word for 2015: Grace

The year 2014 is almost over. I mean, it's just two more days and we bid goodbye to it. It was a good year for me, I would say; it taught me to be grateful for those that came along my way, good or not so good. It challenged me to look at the brighter side of things, the one side of the embroidery - beautiful with all the colors of the thread forming a beautiful design, instead of gazing at the back side with all the threads knotted and tangled. I believe it taught me to hope for the things that matter most. And it is my one word this year, HOPE. True enough, hope anchors my soul to the One who gives it. This hope gently pushes me to move on when I feel like quitting. It enables me look forward to better things ahead of me. It encourages me whenever I am discouraged or disappointed. It helps me to see things which are not yet perceived but I am desiring to behold. In short, having that one word for a year gives me focus in life.

As this year ends, I have been thinking of that one word that I will hold onto for this coming year. As I ponder it, I realize that even before this year comes to an end, in the middle of November, the Lord has been revealing to me His manifold grace, not just in every aspect of my life but in my family's as well.

So for 2015, my one word is GRACE. I do believe that it's not about perfection although I can always strive for excellence, but it's more of His grace which is sufficient for me. It's finding His hand at work in every circumstance I am faced with as I view it with eyes of faith. I am hopeful that as always, God will use this one word as a light - to illumine my path, and a mirror - to reflect the aspects in my life that need to be changed or improved to make me the kind of person the Lord wants me to be or He creates me to be.

I am excited for this coming year and for what God is going to do in, through and to my life. I believe that through my one word GRACE, He will reveal it to me.

So, what is your one word for 2015? I would love to hear from you.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

I have often heard about the Thanksgiving Day when we were still residing in the Philippines. I would simply look at the posts of friends living in the US on how they celebrated this special day. This year, I am grateful that my little family and I were able to celebrate this day of gratitude together with my immediate family. The sad thing though was, we're not complete. Still, I'm grateful for a lot of things.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving Day friends!

Gratitude Challenge 7 (Last Day)

Day 7 of the Gratitude Challenge

1. Grateful that the God we serve created sabbath - a day of worship and rest in the presence of the Lord.

2. Thankful for His Word that has the power to create and make things possible.

3. Full of gratitude for His laborers in His vineyard. Surely, their labor is not in vain.

I'm thankful to all of you my dear readers for reading my gratitude challenge posts. I hope that in one way or another I have inspired and encouraged you to be grateful even for simple things. This may have ended but I pray that the spirit of gratitude in our hearts remain. Again, thank you.

So, what are you grateful for today? :)

Gratitude Challenge 6

My 6th Day of Gratitude Challenge

1. Grateful for "pit stops"; hubby gets to recharge then drive again.

2. Thankful for the Hillsong music; it makes hubby awake as he drives (at this hour) while lulls baby (and me ?) to sleep. Heehee!

3. Full of gratitude for every simple joy that God sends our way while on this road
trip back to Manila.

Note: This gratitude challenge was written when we were still residing in Manila.

Gratitude Challenge 5

Here's my 5th day of Gratitude Challenge:

1. Grateful that we (daughter and I) get to tag along Daddy once in a while on his mission trips. Besides the opportunity to see other places, it's the bonding moment with him that we are looking forward to.

Dasol, Pangasinan

Daddy as he prayed for the kids

2. Thankful that we can use travel time as learning time for our daughter. When we saw the rice field, I told her it's where the rice we eat is coming from. She started asking why and that hinted me to discuss with her the different processes that occur before it reaches our table. Her answer was precious: "Mom, I want to plant then harvest then cook the rice. I want (to) do it." 

"Mommy, the grass feels good on my feet."

"There's my shadow."

"I like this, Mom."

 

"Let's go to the beach and play sand."

3. Full of gratitude for people who welcome us (when we travel) to their house because of their love for Christ. Being away from home is really a challenge. However, meeting people who make you and your family feel at home makes it pleasurable

Our little ladybug together with the daughter of our host and some of the kids they (family) minister to.

"Ate, I can play with this?"

She asked if she could "play" the piano and she was allowed to.

So, what are you grateful for today? :)

Gratitude Challenge 4

My 4th Day of Gratitude Challenge


1. Grateful that I can cuddle and kiss my daughter to my heart's content. It's priceless! Time flies so I do it as much as I can and while she still wants it.

2. Thankful that I get to be hugged and kissed back by my baby. Who cares about wet cheeks and nose? It's precious! Haha! She specially likes to do "kiss nose" which she learned from her dad.

 3. Full of gratitude that my daughter always looks for "mommy" (me). It warms my heart. I hope she won't get tired of doing it when she's a little bit older. I know I'm gonna miss that if ever.

I know it's all about my daughter. She could be so "makulit" when she's up and about, and I'm not going to lie, she could get on my nerves at times, but as her mom (and just like any other moms to their kids), I love her with all my heart. After all, she's the reason I am called a mom.

So, what are you grateful for today? :)
 

Gratitude Challenge 3

Here goes my day 3 gratitude challenge:

1. Grateful for the ‪provincial life I'm living right now (at the time I was in Laguna, Philippines). Far from the pollution and noise of the city, I'm awakened by the chirping birds by the bedroom window; I witness the changing hues/colors of the sky; I can breathe in and breathe out without worrying what goes into my lungs; and most of all my daughter can run freely in our garage or veranda.

 

2. Thankful that I get to look after my daughter and witness every milestone she hits. I feel so blessed that I was given this opportunity by the Lord. Others may say "sayang" (waste) because I could have worked and earned to help ends meet but I don't think and feel that way. I say I'm blessed because God led me to this path and where He leads, He provides.

 3. Full of gratitude that God endowed me with so much breastmilk that I can still breastfeed my daughter even at her age (3 years old). To be able to breastfeed her this long is really a blessing, not only financially but emotionally as it deepens and strengthens our mother-daughter relationship. I would never trade this for anything.

What are you grateful for today? :)

Gratitude Challenge Day 2

Hello, dear readers! I am sincerely sorry for the delay in my posts. As I have mentioned in my previous post, constant changes are occurring in my life; my small family moved from one country to another, then from one city in this country to another. The challenge? There was no internet connection right away. But thanks to my little brother (who isn't little anymore) who made it possible. So, here I am again. And as I have promised (before), I'll be posting the rest of my Gratitude Challenge every day. Thank you for dropping by. :)

1. I am extremely thankful for families that God let me be part of; my immediate family (Daddy, Mamu, Ate and her family, my brothers (their respective families) and my in-laws.

With Mamu, our little ladybug, my sis-in-law and my niece

 2. I am so grateful for friends who have been with me through thick and thin. They are some of God's wonderful gifts. Trust that I have been the kind of friend that they wished to have.

3. I am thankful for people whom God has used to make me a better, stronger, gracious and loving person.

Some of my former colleagues

What are you grateful for today? :)

Note: Please note that the pictures are the only ones I have right now. It doesn't mean that just because someone (a family member or a friend) is not in the picture/s doesn't mean I don't consider him or her a family or friend. Thank you for understanding. :)

Gratitude Challenge

Hello there! Yay, I'm finally back! Haha! It's been a looong time. Things have been in a state of flux lately and it's just now that I'm starting to get to adjust with these many changes. I'm not sure though if these life alterations are for good... Well, no matter what, I know that the best way to respond is to be grateful... always. After all, the only constant thing in this world is change, isn't it?

If you're familiar with the ''Facebook Challenges'' that is going on for some time now, well I was one of those who have been nominated to join the ''Gratitude Challenge''.  I feel so blessed to be part of this. I would like to share it with you all. It's a 7-day challenge, so expect a post from me everyday (that means you have a valid reason to visit my blog every.single.day). Yay! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Day 1 of Gratitude Challenge
1. I'm grateful for each day that God is giving me; that He wakes me up each morning and gives me
    life.

2. I'm grateful for my husband Wilbert who loves me and whom I love.
3. I'm grateful for our daughter who is a constant reminder of a promise-keeping and miracle-working God.

So, what are you thankful for today? :)

Grateful for Today

If you have been following me in Instagram and Twitter, you may have noticed that for a couple of months or so, I have been using the #grateful #gratefulfortoday hashtags. I woke up one day realizing how blessed I am to be receiving blessings, from the most incredible to the simple ones, that I believe being thankful is the only way to receive such goodness coming my way.

Some might argue (?) that to be grateful when all the good things in life are going your way is just natural. But that's not what I'm saying. What I am saying is: start living a life of gratitude and see what it does to your life.

It makes you see the beauty in the mundane. 
The world may not be perfect, but when you have an attitude of gratitude you begin to see the exquisiteness of things around you.

Patterns. While we were staying in a bed and breakfast hotel in Cebu

My daughter's find from Book Sale

You appreciate each day given to you.

You don't have to be terminally ill just to comprehend how beautiful life is. Things may not be always going your way but a thankful heart will invariably see the purpose in every circumstance.

The more you are grateful, the more you give. Therefore, the more you receive.
I have experienced this countless times. You don't wait for the blessings and then give and  then be thankful. It's the other way around, I believe. Be grateful. Be a blessing. Be blessed.

How about you? Are you grateful for today? What makes you grateful? Would love to hear from you. :)

Note: Please feel free to use #gratefulfortoday in your social media posts. Let's spread the spirit of gratitude! Thank you. :)