I'm a full-time mummy

According to this article I read, the natural age of weaning is to be between two-and-a-half and seven years.

Yeap! You read that right!

Between two-and-a-half and seven years!

My record as of today, is 17 months and 3 weeks+.

Read the excerpts below which I took from the same article:

Anthropologists estimate the natural age of weaning to be between two-and-a-half and seven years, based on developmental factors and with comparisons with other mammals. According to the World Health Organisation, the worldwide average for weaning is four-and-a-half years.

Many mums are told their milk doesn't have any goodness once their baby is older. In reality, it's not possible for the nutrients in breastmilk to "switch off" once infants reach a certain age.

Breastfeeding a toddler can provide 31% of his daily energy needs, 38% of protein, 45% of vitamin A and 95% of vitamin C. Breastmilk is packed with unique antibodies for immune system development and there are many studies showing toddlers who are breastfed get sick far less often.

Many people feel that breastfeeding past a certain age will make kids overly dependent or clingy, but research has shown the opposite to be true. Children who form a secure attachment with their mother become more independent and can more easily form attachments with others.

Breastfeeding a toddler can make it easier for mums too. With a quick feed you can soothe a sore knee or a tantrum, or get a child off to sleep! Plus you'll reduce your risk of anaemia, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, breast and ovarian cancers.

It can sometimes be hard to imagine how you can breastfeed away from home with a toddler. But in reality it can be easier than feeding a small baby. Toddlers can go a lot longer between feeds. Even if you are out for a few hours you may not need to feed and, if you do, it can be very quick.

I just love the part "Breastfeeding a toddler can provide 31% of his daily energy needs, 38% of protein, 45% of vitamin A and 95% of vitamin C." That just makes me feel awfully good! Of course, I don't have a clue how much percentage is the nutrients in my breastmilk before I came across this article but it feels good knowing I'm still giving Ben all these wonderful and awesome goodies through my breastmilk!

And I definitely agree with "Breastmilk is packed with unique antibodies for immune system development and there are many studies showing toddlers who are breastfed get sick far less often." cos I can see how rare Ben gets sick (touch wood!) and even when he did fall sick, he recovers so quickly and there are times we didn't even notice what's wrong until he's almost on the way to recover fully.... this is generally because he is active all the time and doesn't show much signs of being sick at all.

I thank God for the ability to still produce breastmilk for Ben and that we are all healthy and happy!

Ben, mummy promise you,

I will breastfeed as long as you still wants it!

Oh, btw if you are free (if not, please spare a couple of minutes),

do read up on this really truly inspiring article on the power of breastmilk!

Happy weekend to all of you!

I just have to share this article I got through email forward from an ex-colleague (* Thanks Shoong!)

RECALL NOTICE: The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.
 
Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.  No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
 
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.
 
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
 
DANGER: The human being units not responding  to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter his Kingdom so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
 
Thank you for your attention!
 
GOD  
P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'!

What do you think of this article?

Looking at this picture of Ben carrying his favorite buddy Elmo, reminds me of the inspiring story of "Footprints in the Sand":

The first time I read this article (which was a few years ago), I just went "Woooowwww" that is just so freaking inspiring and awesome!

It's like whenever you think you're in the worst phase of your life, you felt alone and helpless and there is no one to turn to or to help you back up, think again!

God is there with you all along!!!

Imagine, if life is smooth and uneventful all the way from the moment you are born into the world till you die wouldn't that be sad? It's like you're living with no purpose! What use are you if you're just doodling through the day all life long? Your life is much better than that! And life on earth is too short to be wasted on doing NOTHING!

As a SAHM, I do now and then feel left out when I see the latest things happening to my ex-colleagues, friends and/or family members. It's like their life (be it working or personal) is so much more exciting than mine! They get to go to company trips, they get to go holidays here and there, and so on. Then I go on thinking, "I am alone within these 4 walls day in and day out with Ben. Their life are so happening outside compared to mine!"

But then, upon closer look, I noticed that there are some of them who grumbles about the coming week days of work. They dreaded the coming Monday (Monday blues so to speak) and that they don't want the weekends to end. (Heck, I too don't want the weekend to end but it's not like it makes much difference to me since  a SAHM works 24/7, 365!!) And by around 5pm or so, upon closer look again, statuses popping out on their Facebook walls, counting down the hours and minutes before the work day ends. FYI, I used to do that too, when I was serving my 1 month notice of resignation (I quit to become a SAHM but that aside, I feel if you are paid to do your work, you should do it honestly and do it for God!)

So, now, I think again... I shouldn't compare myself with the life of others. They get to go for trips, travellling, dinners, and so on, they get paid but are they happy with it? Are they doing it cos they need the money to survive? To maintain their lifestyle? Are they doing their job wholeheartedly and doing it for God?

Of course, I am not saying all of them are like that, but some of them are.

Read: Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV), Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)

I came across this bible phrase years ago and since then, I told myself to do my work as if I'm working for God, not man. I do things that satisfies God and pleasing to Him.

Which is why when I quit my job and became a SAHM, I think it is the right thing to do.  I am in no way bragging that life as a SAHM is all glory and nice (one common perception by others is people think we became SAHM because we are rich and comfortable even with 1 less income to the family!)! I know we might have difficulties adjusting initially to one less income for the family but God is good! He provides ALL THE TIME!

So, back to the "Footprints in the Sand" topic, yeah, from now on, whenever I feel all alone at home with Ben, I'm going to remember this article. God is with me and Ben and He is watching and looking after us! Although I don't have those company perks anymore, no bonus, no annual leave, no medical leave, I know that  I'm doing the right thing and God is with us all the way!