No More Paci's

Yesterday we took the kids to the dentist for their check up. Before going I told Neen we were going to the dentist and she said "her going to tell me I not need my pathi's". I told her she was right, that the dentist would say that. I had already prepared and told myself I wouldn't let the dentist get to me like she had in the past regarding paci's.

When the dentist started in with she shouldn't have a paci.......blah, blah, blah. I told her that the last time I tried to take Neen's paci away she started showing signs of anxiety in the form of obsessive ear rubbing. She said she didn't care, to just throw it away.

Okay, Mama Bear coming out... I told her I didn't care how long she has it. I would rather pay for braces than to pay for a psychiatrist. She told me it was much more than braces. She said the paci had already changed the shape and alignment of her jaw. :( She showed me places in her mouth where her teeth no longer touch. So, the verdict.....I needed to take away the paci. You know, with the older kids taking away the paci never phased me. With Neen it's like a dagger through the heart.

I tried thinking of several ways to take her paci away, and then I thought of a brilliant plan. We gathered all the paci's this morning and took a trip to Build-A-Bear! I thought I was ready for it, but as soon as we walked in the store my eyes filled with tears. She picked out her bear, and put every paci she owns inside it. There were 11 in all, and she didn't flinch or hesitate when she dropped them in. We explained to her what we were going to do and she was all for it. The lady working with us was a gem. She was so supportive and encouraging to Neen. She let us all wish upon a heart and put it in the bear. My wish was that Neen would never miss the pacis and the days ahead would go smoothly. Wish us luck. She has done well so far with only a few meltdowns. One being in a parking lot when she fell down and scraped her knee. Made me want to cry again. I held her all through lunch. I think this may be harder on me than it is her! I just love her to pieces and never want her to hurt for anything.

Neen was such a big girl this dentist visit. She volunteered to go first, and didn't cry once.

Such a big girl holding the mirror while the hygienist showed her how to brush.


Neen's paci loot. Eleven in all!

Helping stuff the bear.

Everyone following the "heart" directions for the bear.

Here she is putting in the very last paci.

Time to give the new bear his first bath.

Neen choosing the bears name for her birth certificate. She named him Creamy. She said "like ice creamy". So, Creamy Paci Bear it is!

For being such a BIG girl we let her and Creamy get a cookie at the mall.

I can see this being the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

My favorite part.....you can feel the paci's inside the bear. :)


Here is a short video of her putting her paci's inside the bear. :(

P.S. Last night when I asked Neen if she remembered what the dentist said about her paci she said "da dentist a mean, mean, mean poopie!" :) Love that girl!