Small Successes 6

1. My toddler has only nursed once in two weeks. This is a bittersweet success. Although I was prepared to tandem nurse (I’m in my eighth month of pregnancy with baby number three), I did stop offering a few weeks ago and she stopped asking. The last time she nursed she climbed on to my lap, looked up at me with her big, brown doe eyes and said, “Mama’s milk?” I pulled her in and savored the snuggles, which lasted about 20 seconds. After taking a token “sip” or two, she grinned and then tumbled off of me and returned to her heap of toys. Sometimes I wonder who’s weaning whom!

2. My preschooler and I made her Lenten mouse (extra long tail to accommodate ample good deeds not pictured). We made the little guy from felt and a piece of yarn. For every act of kindness Madeline performs during Lent (without Mom’s prodding, of course), we’ll tie a small knot in his tail. Madeline is very excited about getting his tail all knotty. We also make a Lenten Lamb to countdown the days until Easter. (I gleaned the lamb idea from Karen Edmisten last year.)

3. My cervix appears to be cooperating and not getting all anxious on us. Thank you, God! I was already 3 cm at this point of my pregnancy with baby number two. I understand I don’t play much of a role in this success, but I have been guzzling more water and trying to take a mini retreat each day for at least 20 minutes to rest.

This is such a helpful exercise because it forces me to assess how I’m doing, to take note of my maternal triumphs, however modest they may be, and to focus on the positive.

Why not share (and celebrate) your own small successes? Join other “successful” moms out there at Faith & Family Live!