The love of my life <3

Just wanted to share some recent pictures of my little man =) I've been going through some very stressful events the last few weeks and Jackson has kept me pushing on with his unconditional love. I don't know what I would do without him.

A letter to my breastfed baby

First time Breastfeeding

Jackson,
The whole time I was pregnant people hounded me with advice. Don't co-sleep- you'll smother the baby. Do co-sleep- baby needs mama close. Get this stroller- its the best one on the market. Look at these bottles- they prevent baby from getting gassy. The list went on and on. I felt so overwhelmed. Well your great aunt told me that I better breastfeed you. She said it so matter of fact, like it was a law and I would go to jail if I didn't do it. Me being the researcher that I am had already decided that I was going to breastfeed, which I told her. I then had to sit there and listen to horror stories about clogged ducts, sore nipples, engorgement, and (oh god) don't forget about mastitis. When it finally came time for you to be born I had myself all worked up about the complications that come along with breastfeeding. Something that had seemed so simple and natural now terrified me beyond belief. I was setting myself up for failure.
Once you were born we immediately put you to the breast, which you took like a champ. The overwhelming feeling of love inside of me for you was incredible. I have never felt that way before about anything. Breastfeeding started an amazing bond between us that I wouldn't trade for the world.
Like all breastfeeding moms we went through the hard times as well. Poor latch (you 'clicked') which lead to sore nipples, engorgement, feeling uncomfortable nursing in public, and eventually mastitis which almost ended our breastfeeding days. The thing that kept us going through all those tuff times was the look on your face when I nursed you through the pain. Your face was filled with love and contentment. Almost like the only thing you cared about was being held close to me and nursing. Even through the times where I cried nursing I was in so much pain. You were always a booby boy lol.
I will breastfeed you as long as you want. I will take the nasty looks and the criticism for however long you need me to. Because I know that I am doing the right thing for you, and that's all that has ever mattered to me. When you are ready to not need my breast to comfort you anymore, and when you don't ask for it anymore, we'll end our nursing experience. Even though it will be so hard for me. We will do this on your terms just like we always have.