Before motherhood, I thought I would NEVER have my child use a pacifier. I also thought I would NEVER let my child continually watch TV (what she is doing right now/the only way I could write this), I thought her baby book would be filled with milestone dates, her favorite foods, and 1st words (the only pages that have anything written on is the title page and the family members' names page); and I thought I would still have a career (does part-time blogging count as a career?).
Four months into her life and the realization that I knew NOTHING before motherhood, four months into living the nightmare of breastfeeding with an infection, and four months into doing cartwheels to get her to stop crying...four months after the the birth of our beautiful child, I TRICKED our baby into using a pacifier, and am ashamed to admit - have not only enabled her addiction to it, but encouraged it.
Two years later, this child not only NEEDS her "fire" (pronounced "fieya" much like the Pointer Sisters track from the late 70's) which she coolly named herself. She needs "2 fieya". One attached to her mouth and one to casually toy with much like an executive would with his Montblanc while on the phone, and feet crossed on his desk.
As much as I've justified her binky-addiction, turned my nose to what the experts say about orthodontal problems resulting from prolonged pacifier usage, and honestly - was too scared and lazy to even think about stopping the "fieya"-madness, the little mommy voice inside my tough "outside-the-mommy-box" exterior has been saying "it's time".
After hastily seeking advice on the internet on binky-weening, this morning, I dove in head-first. I explained to my little Dora while peacefully watching her show, "fieya" in mouth, that "big girls don't use pacifiers". That "see, Mommy doesn't use a 'fieya', Dora (the real Dora) doesn't use 'fieya', DADDY doesn't use 'fieya'. " I asked her to hand it over.
She did.
Not only did she hand it over, she goes on to say "Papa (her grandpa) doesn't use 'fieya'", "'Nani' (grandma) doesn't use fieya"....full-heartedly agreeing with her, while in complete shock at how well this was going, I couldn't believe what was happening. My tiny little baby girl was growing up before my very eyes - I couldn't be any prouder.
Before getting ahead of myself, it's only been 9 hrs., but she's only asked for it maybe 4(?) times. And every time, I just say "remember, you're a big girl now!" she briefly pauses, but moves on. In those moments, I realize she's moved on...but, have I? (sniff sniff)
We're putting her in preschool - when? (sniff sniff)
7 comments:
Aww!
The pacifier was my lifesaver when Esme was small - the foggy sleepless haze lifting when I realized it soothed her more than anything else would.
She pretty much dropped it a few months back, though, except to play with one every now and then.
But I'm struggling with the weaning still. I SO want it to happen, but at the same time I know I'll miss my baby, because, except for the moments she's nursing, she is such a BIG girl!
It's sad when they grow up!! But you did an awesome job and Dora seems to be handling this very well! That almost sounds too easy, but I'm so glad that it went that well for you. Boyd loves his little "lovie" bear blanket. He can't sleep without it. He never wanted a pacifier, but I have a feeling he might be going to kindergarten with his lovie!
I hope you're feeling well! :)
wow... i hope its still going well?
Awfully quiet over here...hope all is still going well ;)
Muncher STILL uses her paci, but only at naptime and bedtime. I started restricting use to her crib when she turned one, but at this point, I gotta be honest and say as long as she doesn't ask for it OUTSIDE of her crib...I'm totally happy with our compromise!
Similar to Dora, half the time when I take a look at the video monitor, she doesn't even have them in her mouth anyway...she likes to hold onto them...it's some weird tactile thing?!
Sorry, rambling...good luck!
moz: well, it sounds like she weaned herself for the most part! I think just using it some of the time is o.k. At least in my "professional" experience...hee hee. Well, even if they are such BIG girls, I think we'll probably always see them as our "babies" anyhow.
Nicolle: I know, it does seem a bit TOO easy huh? I'm SO surprised. The lovie bear is too cute! I'm doing much better BTW, thank you:-)!
Angel: Thanks, yes, it's still going pretty good! So surprising...
Bekkah: Always appreciate your "rambling". Things are good - just been a bit hectic. But everything's good. I think that's great - just during sleep time. I don't see any problem with that. That's what we're doing over here. I guess the way they are w/their pacifiers is the same way I feel about my laptop...just holding onto it gives me a sense of security!
This post was hilarious as you shared how you slowly allowed the reality of Motherhood to settle in. Tooo funny, but I've been there and done that. I cried when my first-born started first grade and I homeschooled him! Try to figure that one out (LOL).
Momsweb: Hi! Thanks for stopping by. I can't imagine what school is going to be like and can see me wanting to home school too! But then, when does it end?!
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