This month Jodie is eighteen months old. I get teary every once in a while just thinking about it. Don't get me wrong, I love watching her grow as I have been watching her sisters before her. I just realize that this will be the last time I watch one of my own discover the world for the first time and achieve milestones as she grows.

One of Jodie's firsts (and mommy's too) was a trip to the emergency room. We were at her big sister's fourth birthday party. Everyone was having a great time. Just as the cake was being brought out, Jodie slipped out of her chair and struck the edge of the table with her face and mouth. There was a lot of blood and a lot of screaming. Surprisingly, the room full of four year olds did not start crying at the sight.

Well on a closer look it was apparent that this was more than just a small cut. So Jodie and I blew kisses at the birthday girl and sent regrets all around as we headed for the hospital in rush hour traffic. The trip normally takes five minutes but at that time of day it took fifteen minutes which felt like an eternity with a screaming, bleeding baby in the car.

By the time we got to the hospital, the bleeding and screaming had stopped....thank goodness! By the time she was seen, she was calmly playing with the blood pressure cuffs and asking for "mama milk". It was decided that stitches were needed. A local anesthetic was given and Jodie received four stitches on her lower lip and face. She did very well, what a brave little bear!

When it was over and as I comforted her, the tears (mine) began to flow for the first time.

I asked the doctor before hand if he thought the stitches might inhibit her ability to breastfeed. His reply? "Not at all!"

That is exactly what we did before heading home.

Jodie continues to breastfeed about four to five times a day. She also eats rather heartily for a toddler...three meals plus a lot of snacking as the day goes by. She is on the tiny side weighing in at 19 pounds 12 ounces and is 32 inches tall. It's kind of hard to put on weight when one is burning all those calories pushing furniture around and chasing after three big sisters and a cat!

Until next month we remain happily nursing,

Jodie and Laura †

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