Adios Paci

Harding has known it was coming for a while now......the day that he had to say goodbye to a faithful companion--his pacifier. In fact, a couple weeks ago, he told a lady in the grocery check-out line, "I'm 2 years old. When I turn 3, no more paci!". Trip and I have been reminding him of this big step for some time. We told him that when he turned 3, we would have a birthday party and chocolate cake, and that he would have to give his pacifiers to other babies that need them since he isn't a baby anymore. I am not sure that knowing this was coming has made it actually happening easier for any of us. You see, Harding has absolutely loved his paci since he was a couple days old--check out the pictures below for proof. He usually slept with one in his mouth and one in each hand. For the past couple nights, Harding has not gone to sleep as easily as before. He has come up with multiple reasons for us to stay in the room with him. He even cried himself to sleep the first night, saying "I'm not 3, I'm still little" and "I don't want to give my paci to the babies, I need it"--we almost caved right then. I must confess that Trip and I will miss the pacifier as well. It was wonderful to have something that immediately calmed (and quieted) Harding whenever we needed it. Plus, this milestone is just one more bittersweet reminder that our little boy is not a baby anymore. I know I went a bit crazy with the multiple paci pictures below, but I'm feeling somewhat nostalgic that my son is growing up so fast. Plus, babies and their pacifiers are just precious!!