Cold Turkey

September 21, 2017

5 years, 10 months, 2 days

2 years, 9 months, 1 day

Aspen!

Yesterday was Aspen's 9 month birthday. For some reason or another, I decided it was time. Time to be done with the pacifier. 

The poor dear seemed rather shocked at nap time when I told her "paci" was gone. Gone to another baby. Gone. Really, really gone. Naturally, she didn't nap (until she fell asleep in the car to go pickup Colter from school...but without a paci!!!). She threw a 30 minute tantrum in my room and then walked out and finished Frozen.

Elsa for life.

Bedtime. I dreaded it the entire day. I pumped myself up. I would stay strong. I would not cave. 

All was going smoothly - shower, snuggle in Colter's bunk bed and then down to her crib. That's when the tears started. She wanted nothing to do with me. After about 30 minutes, I took her out to the living room and we had a nice, long talk. The pacifiers found a new home with a new baby. Aspen will get a new princess dress tomorrow. She is a big girl now. She doesn't need paci. She will get a new princess dress tomorrow. (Emphasis on the dress...I'm not dumb, I know my children's weaknesses.)

She then went on the full hunt around the house for her paci. After about 15 minutes, she found a fake, plastic pacifier from one of her baby dolls. She decided that was sufficient and took it to bed - and started chewing on it. Well, clearly, that wasn't happening. With that gone, a full 15 minute breakdown happened. I stayed strong - thanks to my dear bff Emily and a series of texts.

I finally caved and let her sleep in my bed - she was asleep within minutes. She woke two more times during the night and fussed...but nothing intolerable.  

Sleeping beauty...sans Paci.

She woke this morning happy. And rather excited about her princess dress. She ran into the Schoolhouse this morning and said, "Hi, kids!!!! Princess dress!!!" She is such a different creature than my first born- she makes an entrance whereas Colter would slyly sneak in. 

So that's that. Her beloved Paci is gone. It feels like the last connection to her babyhood. It makes me a little sad, yet so proud. I realize the next few days/nights could be brutal, but onward and upward!!! I love that girl. My last baby is turning into quite the little girl.

Love this picture.

Playing along the Rio Grande out of Taos.