milestone!!!!

Today is a big day for Gryffin and I!


Gryffin was born at 38 weeks and 1 day. Today Gryffin is 38 weeks and 1 day old.
That means, that as of today, my body has sustained and nourished my child on the outside for the exact same amount of time as it did on the inside. Gryffin has thrived beautifully on exculsive breastfeeding, with zero "formula."
Nothing has ever made me feel more proud of myself and my body than this. Knowing that I have given him the very best nutrition there is makes me feel so confident and sure of my body and it's ability to care for my child. It may not be the most beautiful or perfect body out there, and it really isnt even in the best shape that it could be, but it has served it's purpose wonderfully.
It is not news to anyone that I believe breast is best. And in all honesty, I find formula to be repulsive. I am not trying to make formula moms feel guilty, everyone is intitled to their opinions and I really do see the pros to formula feeding (I just personally wouldnt want to drink the stuff, so why would I make my baby drink it?). There have been tons of times in Gryffin's life where I really, really want some one else to feed him. I want to be able to go out without worrying about pumping a bottle for him, or where I will be able to discreetly nurse him. However, I know that what he truly needs is breastmilk, and dispite my own selfish desires, I have stuck it out.
I dont talk about nursing near as much as I used to because I have found it to be a very hot topic. People have been down right rude and hurtful to me when I express my joy and pride in my nursing relationship with Gryffin. But today is a day to celebrate.
We have worked through sore, cracked, bleeding nipples. We made it through almost constant nursing (Gryffin nursed every hour, on the hour for the first 7 weeks of his life). We worked past 2 supply drops where I thought I would never be able to produce enough to satisfy him. I have learned to develope a thicker skin when it comes to comments and negative people. I have kept my mouth shut when someone told me that "nursing is the same as formula, you arent doing anything special."We made it through horrible Post Partum Depression, which made the sound of Gryffin's cries drive me insane and the thought of holding him to nurse made my skin crawl.  And here recently we are learning how to nurse with teeth...and biting...very hard, scream inducing biting. I would have chopped my own arm off if I needed to, in order to insure we make breastfeeding work.  All this may seem trivial to some, but I am proud of us. Very proud. Gryffin is getting the best of the best and breastfeeding is a gift that lasts a lifetime. I could go into the science of it, and all the amazing things that breastmilk does, but I wont because that is not the point. The point is, that even when it was rough, we kept going together. There have been very few things in my life that make me proud of myself, so I am not going to miss the opportunity to express my happiness at this milestone!