Debinkification

It's been over a week. That means Emma is officially debinkified, right?

Our pediatrician told us months ago to get rid of Emma's pacifier. It took us a little while to muster the courage to actually go through with it. We knew that cold turkey was the way we were going to go -- and we knew it would be tough. So, two Friday nights ago, we decided to just go for it. We tried to reason with Emma, telling her that pacifiers were only for babies. We had her put her binky in her doll crib and explained that she was a big girl now. She said, "OK, Mommy" (melt my heart) and handled the first night really well. She woke up a few times and was a little upset, but she managed to go back to sleep each time. We clapped and cheered in the morning and she even said, "only babies," when she woke up. Fast forward to nap time. When Emma realized we meant the pacifier was gone forever, not just one night, then the tornado hit.

It took several nights of screaming -- to the point where Emma was falling asleep standing up in her crib and screaming with every head bob -- before she calmed down. I must say, I am impressed with her manipulation skills. She tried everything to get her binky back: "Only one, Mommy." "Please, Mommy, Emma NEEDS one." "Only the white one, Mommy." And she even devised little plans to get us back in her bedroom: "Emma needs a new pull-up. Poopies in there." (Two minutes after her last diaper change.) Anyway, it's been a week and things are much better. Emma doesn't really ask for the pacifier anymore. Bedtime struggles are at a minimum. She's done fine with naps at daycare. And we are once again a peaceful little family. (Until the next thing...Potty training? Big girl bed?)