Weaning

Several months ago I came up with a plan for weaning Caris. I decided to get her set up on four nursings a day, then cut down one per month until we were down to one, and then spend another month cutting that one back to nothing. At the time this whole process seemed soooo slow and gentle, and the end seemed very far off. Well wow, it's March and she's down to one a day, first thing in the morning. It's so weird for both of us every time we cut one out. It's such a part of our daily routine! Last night was the first time putting her to bed without drinkie, and it was actually very nice. Everything was the same (kissing and hugging daddy etc.) but then I just carried her off to her bed, tucked her in, prayed with her and turned on her frog (it plays a tune for about 30 seconds), just like at naptime. It went perfectly for her, but weird for me. Today at nap she cried for a few seconds about wanting drinkie, but I assured her that she'll have drinkie tomorrow morning. How weird - and sad - it will be when there isn't that assurance any more. :*( I told her that when she is ALL done with drinkies, we will go and pick out her VERY OWN new cups, and she can have her milk in those special cups. I guess that will have to be our big deal. It feels totally false to celebrate her weaning when it really is a sad thing for both of us. I want to say it's bittersweet, but it's not sweet; it's just sad. Nonetheless though, it would make no sense to pump for 8 days while I'm in Scotland for an almost 3-year-old, so wean we will. Sigh . . . why do babies have to grow up?