on breastfeeding.

i've nursed each of our six girls now.  i hoped to nurse clayton, but he wouldn't

have it at all.  at 11 months, he was already drinking porridge out of a regular cup 

at the orphanage. our smart boy quickly learned to do that because spilling 

it might mean not getting more.  i've pumped on 23 hour flights across the

ocean in order to be able to continue nursing bianca when i returned home

from uganda with her 'twin' brother.  

i've had the honor of nursing teeny

tiny orphans there--one 6 weeks old & i don't know where he is now,

one was 8 weeks old & i recently watched him go home with his 

forever family, one was a brand new baby boy.  he was very sick.

friends put in an IV, a feeding tube & began the process they

too often had to do as nurses in uganda--do as much as they

could and pray the baby would live.  i asked if i could stay

with him and breastfeed him through the night.  he was starving.

tiny ribs poking through, shallow breaths, dry skin & mouth,

empty eyes.  he didn't even have the natural instinct babies have to

suck.  slowly as we cuddled under my mosquito net that night, he

got it.  that night is precious to me--i'm only part of the team that God

used to save that baby's life, but i stand amazed at our bodies and what

He has created.  i've seen recent pictures of him & he is a happy, smiling, 

chubby baby now.  

as emelia, evie & i are in our first weeks of this 

beautiful nursing relationship, i'm in awe again.  thankful to 

to bond with them, comfort them & to nourish them all the day and night.

i'm not into drama or mommy wars in the least bit.  i believe everyone does

the best they can with what they have & believe.  i do wish that it weren't

such a hot topic of debate & even disgust sometimes.  i do wish that women

who choose to breast feed weren't made to feel awkward or scandalious.

i do wish that everyone that has such issue with breastfeeding in public

had that much of an issue with the lack of modesty in many female's

everyday clothing.  i do just wish to nourish our babies.  peacefully.

happy world breastfeeding week.