Brandon and I have started to refer to the pacifier as the "P" as of our arrival back home from Michigan. Since we were all deathly sick (I say deathly but I know- it could have been worse I guess...maybe.), Brandon and I decided that we would just take the P away. Gavin's nose was stuffed up and so when he used the P, he had to basically have it hanging out of his mouth so he could breathe so we thought we would just take it away now while he couldn't really use it.
I'm not sure how to put it lightly but EUREKA! I mean, Gavin was already whiny and crying about being sick (I'm sure as much as MY throat hurt, his did too) so we could barely notice the crying about not having the P around anymore. We had them on the counter to be washed (I'm not sure why we washed them...maybe in case we were to give in?) and eventually DID wash them but we never gave in. Not once. The last time Gavin had a P was November 24th right before he got a bath that night. It took me until last night to dig out all the P's and throw them in the garbage. It made me a little sad to let that part of him go but I guess better now than later.
So, the first few days were rocky without the P. I don't know if it was more the fact that I so very much wanted to give in sometimes because he just cried so much (not sure it was all P related but the easy solution would have been to give in and give it to him)! But now, he talks so much more. He says things like rain, no, bye, uh-oh, oh man, "whats that" or is that, hi (with waving ALL the time), don't, now, more, pa-tah (peanut), water...basically anything you say, he tries to copy the words. I try to sound them out for him and the way he says things sometimes..cracks me up. He also has begun dancing like a fool since his dad charged an old cell phone and I pulled up the ringtones. Brandon showed him once how to play the song over and it was all over with after that. Over and over and over the songs get played and more dancing and dancing.
Before we decided to take the P away Gavin usually would point to the counter or just cry and we would toss one down or plug one in and be set with him being quiet..sucking his P and twirling his hair. Now days, I hate to tell everyone who knows Gavin but...he doesn't really twirl his hair anymore. That's right. As soon as we took away the P...his hands don't twirl- not his hair, not mine. A few weeks ago I would have given my left foot for him not to twirl/pull my hair anymore but now it makes me sad. I used to pick him up after my shower and he would run his hands through my hair but now that he is a "big boy" who doesn't use his P anymore... apparently he doesn't want to do this anymore. I used to pick him up when he was tired and he would twirl my hair around his fingers and rest his head on my shoulder- no more. I mean, not even his own hair! As most family (and friends) know, if you put that P in his mouth his hands went straight into his own hair, picking and twirling... no more.
Yesterday he did take a nap with me and twirl my hair a bit and it made me smile but that has been the only twirling since removal of the P.
R.I.P. Pacifier aka Paci aka "P" and to Gavin being a baby...no more. He is a big boy :) Below are some of his pictures from recently- being a big boy.
Who needs toys when you have an ice cream bucket!?
Teaching this boy to clean now...while he likes to do it! ;)
Gavin hitching a ride
Good job guys! I knew Gavin had some more words hidden in there some place. Glad to hear no more hair loss for you Sam.
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