Today was the first day in a year (minus the 9 week unpaid maternity leave), that I did not have to take my breast pump with me to work. My daughter is one, so it’s time… but coming to grips with this season coming to an end is bittersweet. We’ve formed this bond, and in the busyness of life having to sit down and be with my daughter in a quiet and still environment has helped me slow down and be in the moment with her.
There are so many times that I get caught up in some Facebook drama, and instead of enjoying my family… I’m sitting their scrolling through other people’s enjoyment. Bella is one of those kids that requires constant interaction, even while breastfeeding. So while she’s nursing, she also has a hand in my hair, in my mouth or gripping my shirt… so bringing my phone to our nursing sessions is an effort in futility. Bella has been a reminder that I need to be in the moment, and now instead of that reminder to unplug, I’m just going to have to do it myself. Choose to put my phone down and be with my family. To minimize the distractions. To show them that they are more important than what’s on social media.
So yes, putting the pump away (more like consigning it away), is amazing; it’s also bringing an element of sadness. Especially when Bella woke up noticeably taller today, and I’m realizing that these moments are fleeting… and as she toddled after me calling my name as I was picking out her clothes, I realized that we will forever have this bond… It’s just evolving.
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