Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Bittersweet....



This is the remains of what was a freezer full of breast milk. It was leftover from the milk I pumped while the babes were in the NICU and weren't eating much. There are still two friends who have freezer fulls as well (thanks girls!). Unfortunately, all of the milk is expired and must be poured down the drain. As I was pouring container after container down the drain and rinsing them and drying them to be used for my mama's beads and other thrifty uses, it felt bittersweet. Bitter that I didn't get the milk donated in time so that someone else could use it (oh, the guilt!). Bitter that all those hours of pumping/pumping/pumping/labeling/storing was going down the drain.

Sweet that the pumping did fulfill its purpose in keeping the milk a flowin until the babies were ready, sweet that my breast milk is plentiful and the reserves weren't needed, sweet that at least my mom and her thrifty friend Barb will use the containers:), and sweet most of all that there were two healthy babies sleeping in our bed while i was pouring/rinsing/drying....





Of course I'd do it all again if need be, but here's to hoping the next time around will be a little ...more simple:) Jen

4 comments:

Tammy said...

Do you need the containers from my freezer too? I can bring the milk over if you want. Let me know. Otherwise, I'll just toss the containers.

Sorry that it expired :( but I'm happy you had so much milk for your babes - that is a great gift and it's good to hear that you realize it. It's bittersweet to me that I could never get more than 10 ml at a time, less than 1/6 of what the kiddos were eating as newborns. But the most important thing is that they grew so well and are big and healthy on formula. Thank God for the marvels of modern science!

Jenny said...

Hi Tammy,

I'll call ya soon about the milk. Thanks again for all you have done for us and our little ones!
Your babes are big and healthy--and CUTE too:) Talk to you soon...jen

ashley said...

Wow...lots of containers! Much more committed than I ever could have been. Thank goodness my babies didn't have problems!

Love the pictures! They are getting so big!

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

oh, the memories of those containers. such sweet friends that came and helped us in those tough days. I hope they all read the blog because I so appreciated them all.