you know you've waited too long to wean him when...

Zion wakes me at 5:45am. He doesn't open his eyes but tenses all his muscles and whines as plaintively as possible, "Maaamaaa, nuh-nuh?"

"You're a big boy, Zion" I whisper to him while hugging him close. "You don't need nursing in the morning."

Zion turns his face towards the mattress in utter dejection.

"Maaamaaa," he whines anew, "coffee???"