Look Mom, No Paci!

Maren has been attached to her pacifier since day one. Warner never took a paci or sucked his thumb, so this was new territory for us. Once we realized Maren really liked pacifiers, it was just so easy for us. I'd dump four or more pacifiers in Maren's crib at night and she would happily sleep until morning. Or, on car rides when quiet was desperately needed, all I'd have to do is give Maren her paci and blanket and - poof! - there was silence. And silence is a welcome addition to my otherwise noisy days.

As Maren grew older, the promises of breaking her of her paci habit began. Kevin and I finally swore that when she turned two, that would be the end pacifiers. July 29, 2011 came and went and still I was putting Maren to bed along with her favorite pink pacifier. We did begin talking to Maren about how she is a big girl now and big girls don't have paci's, but she was not interested in discussing the issue. And again, seeing as quiet is often my goal, I ignored Kevin's suggestions to work on the "paci issue".

Two nights ago as we were getting the kids ready for bed, we suggested (for the hundredth time) that Maren sleep without her paci that night. We quickly added that she could get a prize if she slept without her paci. She was intrigued. We asked her what she wanted for her prize, and after some deliberation, she decided on a new Bob and Larry (read: Veggietales) movie. And so the plan was in place. As I put her in her crib for bed, she cried and asked for her "pink bappi". I reminded her of our deal and, like magic, she went to sleep.
Two days and one Veggietales movie later, she is still going strong without her beloved pink pacifier. Whew. Let's hope it continues.