Operation Thumb

We have been working really hard the last few weeks at eliminating Maren's habit of thumb-sucking. She isn't an avid thumb sucker, but she likes to suck on it every time she is holding her special "green blankie". I've slowly limited her time with the blanket until she was only using it at night for a few minutes to fall asleep. Most people say that if it is the child's decision to give up the habit (or in our case blanket + habit) the process goes much smoother. So we came up with a plan for her to earn a pillow pet. She has been wanting one since Christmas when every kid she knows (and their dog) got one. Yesterday we went and picked one out, a cute little pink piggy, and brought it home in hopes that she would want it badly enough to trade it in for her green blankie.

Well, I think the piggy was the golden ticket. She waited anxiously until bedtime and then asked for her pillow pet. She didn't even ask for her blanket at all. Kirk and I left the room and told her how proud we were of her. I was worried that after a few minutes she would change her mind or start crying and I had mentally prepared myself for a long night. After 15 minutes or so, I went into the kids room to see how things were coming along. Jesse was still awake, but I climbed up the ladder to check on Maren. She was fast asleep. She did it without any tears!

I came out and told Kirk and good news. We were amazed! I couldn't help but send out a text to my mom and sisters even though it was late. One of my sisters responded that it was "bittersweet" because it means she is growing up - she was feeling the same since one of her girls had lost 2 teeth that day. And sure enough, when I went into my room and saw the little green heap on my bed that says "baby" on it, I cried.

Yes, bittersweet.