Binkie update

As you may (or not) remember, we tossed the binkies 10 days ago. I can't believe it's been so long!!! Time really does fly!

Anyway...after a few rough days, we're over the hump and it's ever-so-much easier now. He asked for it for the first few days, but we reminded him of where they are/were and he was OK with it. He's quite a bit more cuddly at nap and bedtime. And actually does a bit of whimper when I tell him it's time to go to sleep. I think at first it was legitimate, but now he's just milking it :) So I tell him he's going to have a good sleep with puppy and the rest of his bears, lay him down and off he goes. He does spend a bit of time playing/talking sometimes, but usually goes to sleep right away and without fussing.

Pacifier woes

As I posted yesterday, we tossed the binkies in the dumpster and Doodlebug didn't nap well (he never went back to sleep after waking up).

I put him to bed last night with little/no fuss.   He was quiet for about 15 minutes, then lots of tears.   Poor kid is soooo tired.  He did sleep through the night though!!!  At least he didn't wake me up, and that's what counts, right?!? ;)

He asked about it once this morning after bumping himself, I reminded him that they were gone and he was fine.   Nap time didn't go so smoothly.   He cried for about 35 minutes (he didn't want to lie down when I put him in bed), then slept for over 2 hours.   He woke momentarily after ~45 minutes then back to sleep.

Tonight was almost a repeat of the nap.   He didn't want to lie down when I put him in bed, he stood there crying.   I would have cuddled, but it only prolongs the agony (tried it yesterday).   So I left the room.   After letting him cry for a few minutes, hubby went in to cuddle him.   He settled down and lay back down quietly.   Over an hour later I can still hear him over the monitor making noises, but at least he's not screaming :)

They're gone!

The binkies I mean. Doodlebug tossed them in the dumpster this morning and watched the garbage truck pick them up a few hours later. The morning went well (I'm told, I wasn't here).

At nap time he kept asking for his "me me" and I kept telling him about throwing them away, the garbage truck and the dentist saying they were hurting his mouth. He looked in all the usual places we keep them, even a few we don't. He was OK during the book/diaper change then started crying when it came time to lie down. So I cuddled him and rocked, and rocked and ... Finally I told him he needed to lie down (he wasn't falling asleep on me), and he did and was quiet! He slept for a little bit, but about 45 minutes after I layed him down, he was up crying. He's OK as long as I'm holding him, but he wants nothing to do with his crib. So...he's upstairs. Crying. And has been for about 25 minutes now. Let's hope he goes back to sleep.

Doodlebug's first dentist

The boys all went to see the dentist yesterday.  No cavities, clean bills of health all around.

Yesterday was Doodlebug's first visit as a patient.  He's been there several times as an observer :)  The dentist's office is set up as an open bay style with three chairs in a row.  Each chair has a counter between it, so there is some privacy.  With siblings, they put one in each chair, two hygienists and do them at the same time.  Velcro Boy went in one chair, and he was being a bit difficult so I stayed with him.  The Professor went in another chair with hubby with him.  Since Velcro Boy didn't want to cooperate, Doodlebug went to watch The Professor so he wouldn't get a bad opinion from his brother.  All went well.  When it came to his turn, I was in the x-ray room with VB, so hubby was with doodle.  I heard some crying from where I was, so I had hubby trade places with me.  By that time however, Doodlebug had calmed down and was letting the hygienist do her work.  He did very well.  He was a bit shocked the first time she squirted water in his mouth, but then took to it like a trouper. 

The dentist wants to put sealants on The Professor's permanent molars, maybe in another 6 months once they grow further out from the gums.  His bottom front teeth are a bit squished together, so we're hoping they will spread out as his mouth continues to grow.

Doodlebug has to stop using the binkie (pacifier).  When babies are born, there is a curve to the roof of the mouth.  This curve flattens out with growth.  The negative pressure from him sucking has caused this curve not to flatten out as much as is normal plus there is a bit of misalignment in the front teeth also caused by the negative pressure holding the muscles from letting things move.

He has a cold now, so the dentist said when he's better the binkie has to go.  We'll go cold turkey like we did for VB.  On trash day, DB will toss them in the dumpster, then watch the garbage truck pick-up.  Doodle is very stubborn and will cry for a LONG time before giving up.  I give in before he does.  This way I can't give in.  Plus it gives him a finality that they're really gone.  So, in about a week we'll be binkie free!