FINALLY!

I've finally finished Hannah's birthday post! (it's a few posts below, as I started writing it on her actual birthday)
I had planned to incorporate her first birthday party post into that one as well, but I have given up trying to finish the thing, so I just published it as is. I have so many cute pictures from her party and I know I need to post them!

As far as our week is going here in the Price household...it's been rather difficult! Hannah's two top incisors have STILL not broken through the gums and she has been quite miserable for several days now. Last week she had a low-grade fever and was overly fussy and discontent. Nap time and bedtime has been interesting to say the least. I've been slowly weaning her for the last month or so, and cutting out our last feeding *sigh* before bed probably wasn't the best idea during a furious run of teething.
Speaking of weaning...is it wrong for me to feel so sad? I know it's time as Hannah gets more frustrated nightly because there just isn't much left. I haven't nursed her before bed for the last two nights and the thought that the last time I may have nursed my baby has come and gone makes my heart ache a little. For the last few weeks, I've been trying to savor our time together, not knowing when the last time would be.
We had such a routine down that Hannah knows what is missing and isn't shy about letting us know she's not happy. Every night for several months it was the same: grab the burp cloth, nurse, turn on the fan in our room, close the blinds and curtains in her room, then turn her music on. Kisses and hugs came next, followed by bedtime prayers, then to bed. I've gone to great lengths to hide the Boppy. If I walk into our bedroom before bed and she spots it, it's all over. Not to be overly sentimental, but it's going to be hard to finally put that pillow in storage. Hannah and I spent so much time together with that pillow...hours and hours and hours. We bonded like I couldn't have imagined.
No matter how bad the day was or how fussy she was, or how many hours we were awake at night...whenever she'd nurse, it would all fade away and everything was made okay, even for a few short minutes.
It makes me sad when she cries and needs comforted and I know I can't offer her that kind of comfort anymore. It's been a while since I've nursed spontaneously during the day, but now that this chapter in our relationship as Mother and Daughter is coming to a close, it brings back all of the memories.
I am so thankful we were able to nurse as long as we did. Hannah latched on immediately after birth and never once had a problem. Neither did I. Except for a two day bout with a plugged duct, I never had supply issues or infections, and for that I am so grateful.
Because she no longer finds comfort in nursing, she's begun to cuddle in different ways. She has started to lay her head on my shoulder when she's tired. She even fell asleep on me a few weeks ago...that hasn't happened for a very long time.
It's hard to watch my sweet baby girl grow up. She's getting so big and so smart everyday. There are times I just sit and watch her; pulling up to stand on her toys, eating cheerios and reaching for her sippy of milk to get a drink (by herself), "brushing" her teeth and her hair, pointing to anything and everything she wants, and giving kisses and hugs to Micah and me. How much she's learned in just one year.

Well, goodnight :)