Saturday, September 28, 2013

No More Nuks!

Gerrit and I have wanted to get rid of Addie's nuks for some time now. We tried and failed miserably when she was 18 months old. We set a new goal for age 2, thinking she might have a better understanding that pacifiers were leaving her.
But other parts of life got in the way. She'd be sick, or we'd go out of town, or potty training began. There  never seemed to be an appropriate time. 
So, this week, we just decided it's time. I brainstormed some clever ways to make this less traumatic for her. I've heard advice about "giving the nuks away to a baby." But she's 2 and she's selfish. That would be a no-go for us. 
I've heard of many others giving the nuks to a "pacifier fairy." But Gerrit and I decided before our kids were born that we are not introducing pretend characters in her life and claiming them as real. 

Alas, I decided an awesome trade would be in order. 
We told her that if she wanted to open the BIG bag, she first had to gather all her nuks and put them in the little bag.

 She thought the pacifier hunt was pretty fun. 

Then together, we all said, "Good bye, nuks!"

What could it be?

Rapunzel of course!

 A fair trade, indeed!

Addie exceeded our expectations at bedtime. We were prepared for war, but it was only a small battle. She asked for her nuks a few times, but was satisfied with the reminder that we said goodbye to them. She fell asleep a little later than usual and woke up once in the night. Otherwise, the transition has been smoother than we thought. She didn't need toddler rehab or the pacifier patch. 
Great success!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

"Look at Me!" and Other Fun Phrases

One of Addie's new favorite phrases is "Look at me!" And she is usually quite the sight to behold.




Other frequent phrases:

Don't DO that! 

I tell you, no!

Wake up. C'mon, daddy. C'mon, mama.
(As she yanks on our sleepy limbs, after she has crawled out of bed.)

Here ya go. 
(As she hands me my glasses in the morning, thinking this is all it takes to wake me up.)

I wan' goldfish. 
(the snack)

I wan' 'Punzel. 
(She is obsessed with the movie, "Tangled.")

Pine out! 
(She puts her toys in time out, and is actually doing that as I type.)

I wanna help you.

Stop, please.
(When she is annoyed.)

My do it!
(Referring to just about anything.)

I wanna see it.
(She likes to see what we are cooking for dinner.)

No work!
(She yells at Gerrit when he is getting ready in the morning.)

I want [fill in the blank], Honey.
(When she really wants something, she sugarcoats it with a sweet nickname for us.)

I do it, 'gain.

Close your eyes! 
(If she catches us with our eyes open while praying. "Pot, meet Kettle.")

I wanna dance. I wan' tutu.
(An essential accessory when even the hint of a melody is playing.)


I have to go rescue the Little People farmer from "pine out" now. 
Until next time....