The Binky

photo by Bella's Photography

Isn't that just pitiful?

Henry likes his binky. He wanted it 24/7. It was getting to where he wouldn't go through meal time with out it. He wold take a bite or 2 of food and then binky, another few bites of food and then binky. It was quite ridiculous. I decided it was time to start getting rid of the thing.

A few weeks ago I took it away during the day. When he got up in the morning and after each nap  I always made a point to say, "bye-bye binky" and then threw it back in the crib. He didn't like it, but soon got over it.

He finally finished cutting all of his teeth last week so I started thinking that maybe we should go ahead and get rid of it for good, but I wasn't ready to commit. Saturday afternoon I just decided on a whim that it was time. I laid him down for his nap and just didn't give him the binky. He didn't make a peep. He laid down and when right to sleep. I was impressed.

Saturday night I was kind of sad not to give it to him, but put him in his crib and walked out. He was not a fan. He cried, and cried, and was just really sad. I could tell he didn't know what to think. My husband went in to "have the binky talk" (he wanted to make sure that he knew mommy didn't forget to give it to him) and then left the room. He continued with the really sad cry. I couldn't take it. I went in and picked him up. I just held him and rocked him. I wanted him to really know that mommy didn't forget. I put him back in bed and he cried for a good 20 and then he went to sleep. I really was prepared for it to last longer, but so happy that it didn't. He woke up at 10pm crying. It broke my heart. It was the pitiful "I want my binky" cry. I got in the shower so that I wouldn't hear him cry. I didn't want to give in. I came down stairs and my husband said he only cried for a few minutes. He slept great the rest of the night.

We are now 5 nights with no binky and he is doing great. He still lets a out big cry when we initially lay him down, but it only lasts 2 minutes (or less). I'm sad that he cries when he lays down, but I'm happy that the binky is gone. He has been more clingy this week, but I certainly don't mind the extra cuddles.

The best part is that he has started talking! He has gone from only saying Mama, Da (Daddy), K (Cade), bye-bye, ba (ball) to saying washcloth, all done, shoe, and what's that.

I'm really going to miss seeing this.

Thank you to those that have donated to Journey's Adoption Fund. There is still time to make a donation if that is something that you would like to do. 

Or, you can shop for a great bag and help donate to Journey's fund all at the same time. My friend Kendall is a Thirty-One consultant, and has set up a Bring Journey Home Fundraiser on her Thirsty-One site. You can shop from that fundraiser and all proceeds will be sent to Journey's Adoption fund.