Mimi Cessation

Emily was the first one in our family to call her pacifier/dummy/binky/soother a "mimi." We thought it was so cute, that it's what we all started to call them - to the point that we forgot what they even "really" were called.

Jacob LOVES his "Mimi." He pretty much only had it to sleep. For some time I've known we need to take it away, but have needed him to have it too much myself. We tried taking it this summer, but he woke up every 20 minutes crying (uh, make that screaming) for it, which woke up Jane - so I had two tired and screaming babies. I caved after a couple of hours.

I knew I couldn't face my brother in law (and our dentist) again without taking it (since Jacob has developed an overbite), and have been working up the courage since the day he turned 3.

I decided on a plan of action - to "trade" them at the store for a big truck, something he has been wanting for a while. Last Saturday we went. We talked about it ALL week, and featured the phrase "big boy" in every conversation. He was so excited to go trade them for a new truck. So, when we got there and realized I'd forgotten the camera, there was no way we could put it off. I bought a disposable one (I've got to get my little Cannon back from bek to keep in the diaper bag again) to mark the occasion, so please excuse the crummy pictures.

We let him suck it "one last time" in the car on the way to the store.

This is his favorite blue one. Handing it over to Dad to put in the bag with the others. Bag of mimi's in hand - heading into Target. This one looks good.It even goes up and down! This is the one. Putting his mimi's into the back for transport to the checkout. He even pushed the cart himself - see those cute little hands?
(only a few minor crashes.)

"I'm trading my mimi's for a truck."

The sales girl looked at me like "Lady, we don't take those!"

I whispered to her "Just go with it, throw them in the garbage after we leave."

Here's your truck, big boy. Pushing it out of the store. One happy shopper...Leaving the store I was a little anxious. He was so willing to hand over the mimi's (instant gratification issues?) I said to Rick, "I just don't think he understands what he's agreeing to." Sure enough, when it was time for bed, he asked for his mimi. I gently reminded him that he had traded them. He said "I want two things, a truck AND a mimi."I was bracing for the meltdown, the tears, the screaming and the long night. He was sad, but said "OK" and went to sleep (albeit in our bed - but by himself.)

The next two nights he asked for it at bedtime, but after a gentle reminder (and lots of playing trucks during the day), he was OK and slept easily and through the night without it.

I must confess, that 1st night after I lifted him back into his own bed, I sat beside him and watched him sleep without it in his mouth. He looked so big, and I cried. I'm glad the transition was so smooth - but it was one of the last vestiges of babyhood, and I was a little sad to let that go. Fortunately for me, I adore my big boy just as much.