Easy Come, Easy Go

I think before Wyatt was born, and really even now, the things I've thought would be the biggest struggles have turned out to be no big deal.  I say that without exception.  Nursing? No problem ... that was easy.  Dropping mid-night feedings?  Not a problem. Weaning? Not hard at all.  Taking him out of his swaddle?  Easy peasy.  Moving him to the crib (from our room)?  No issues.  Taking away the bottle?  He never even missed it.

BUT.  the one transition that I was certain would be a problem for us is taking away his paci. 

See, from the beginning he was a paci kid.  I remember him taking it in the hospital and thinking "great ... there is one habit i'm going to have to break eventually".  But it soothed him and comforted him, and frankly kept everyone sane at times. 

We kept several in his room, and one in each of our cars. 

 Wherever Wyatt went, the paci wasn't far behind. 

Now, after he turned 1 I tried to limit car-paci use, and definitely didn't let him use it in public.  Mostly because I didn't want to look like a redneck.  Ben kept asking when we were taking it away and I kept putting it off.  At one point it was 1 year, then 18 months, then 2.  I nearly pushed it to 2.5  but decided against that. 

Although he wasn't using them in public, he did go down each night with a minimum of 4 pacis.  Ben and I would always go to his room and "re-paci" him before we went to bed.  He was addicted.  He knew where we kept them and would frequently go into his room to get them.

On a whim last Friday night, I just decided I would put him down without them and see if he asked.  He didn't and slept all night without a problem.

He did ask for them for the next few days but I hid them and have just changed the subject (or ignored the request) when he asked.  

He finally stopped asking.  We have had no problems with sleep interruption. 

I can't believe it.  The things I think are going to be the most difficult with this kid are EASY.

That all being said, I would be remiss if I didn't also point out that the things which should be "simple" with him are anything but.  Seriously.  Cooking dinner? Can hardly do it unless he's asleep.  Preparing one of his meals?  Practically impossible.  A simple grocery store run?  Pretty much rocket science ....