Relinquishing the Key!

Yesterday I had my own personal milestone in motherhood. I relinquished the key to the pump room. This means I turned in my personal key to the lactation room for breastfeeding/pumping mothers at the Gillette Children's admin building. Today it was passed on to another employee returning from maternity leave.

Marly and Dean are now more than 13 months old. I have not used the pump room for about a month, yet I had resisted turning in the key. For one year, this closet with a chair, plug in, and mini fridge was my own personal haven. In that year, I came to know Tina (a Doc's research assistant) who's cube was just inches from the door. In the beginning, I was there three times a day. In the end, I was glad to be able to breast feed Marly and Dean for a year.

Really, I had no difficulty breastfeeding. I enjoyed doing it. My pediatrician sang my praises and made sure to tell me at each visit what an amazing job I was doing for my TWO babies. Funny thing was, prior to their birth and in the first few weeks of their life, I just thought I was suppose to do this for a year. I had read it in the books. My OB agreed. The hospital steered me down the same path. The pediatrician said, "Great!" I don't feel extraordinary in my act, but I do owe thanks to two key things which played a strong role in my achievement (besides the support of Mark, and of course Marly & Dean) - My Employer and My Pump.

At work, no one ever questioned the use of my time given to the task. Occasionally a co-worker would ask if I was still pumping, and then say, "Good for you!" My first day back to work was a full day staff meeting. My manager (who does not have children) asked me several times if I needed to go pump. That set a tone of acceptance for me.

I also dedicate my success to the Medela Pump n' Style Advance. I borrowed this expensive pump from a friend, and it is worth its weight in gold. This is the BMW of breast pumps. I love that darn thing. I pumped at work. I pumped in the car. I pumped in the car WHILE DRIVING. I pumped in airport bathroom stalls. I pumped on vacation. Through it all, the pump was tried and true. I used her little cooler on top and often stopped for free ice at SA. Really, I should have named her.

It is time to return the pump to her rightful owner, but I think I will miss her. Actually, what I am REALLY going to miss is the high calorie consumption & tiny waist line which resulted from the milk production. AND, I will REALLY miss the rather voluptuous bosom which resulted. Glorious cleavage oh how I loved thee!!! Long gone you are now! I wish I had shown you off more.

Ah yes, those babes do grow up too fast.

Marly & Dean, Mommy loves you!