Bye Bye "Papi"

Most of you may not care or see the significance of this post, but it is a big one to us. Those of you who have had to break your children of any habit will certainly understand. Mason since birth has loved his pacifier, or as he calls it, his "Papi." (sounds like Pap - I) In fact, in the hospital the nurses brought him back to my room with one stuck in his mouth. We were sent home with the hospital with at least 2 pacifiers (I didn't bring any...) and we actually still have at least 2 of those VERY pacifiers at our house! Anyway, we had cut back the Papi usage to sleeping only about a year or more ago. I figured I would give him until his 3rd birthday and then go from there. Several times over the last month or so Mason has taken naps at school with no "Papi" and we have praised him each time for that. Last night was the next big step. We have a very concise night time routine. In that routine, we come down stairs after baths and head to the master bed room, brush teeth, and then get the "papi" out of the basket on my nightstand. Well, last night, we were running and little behind, and Maya seemed extra sleepy. Trying to hurry to attend to her next step, I skipped going to the master bedroom. The rest goes something like this:
We sat in our normal spots for a while before Mason ever mentioned it. Brian mouthed something about the "papi" to me and I told him not to say anything. Finally, Mason said, "we forgot my papi" and I said, "Mason, you know how we have been talking about that you are turning 3 years old soon...." Mason, "uh -huh", I said "3 year olds don't use papi's." At first he said "yes, they do". Then I changed the subject and when we went upstairs he asked about it once on the way... I said "you don't need it - you are a big boy". Then when we were tucking him in he whined a little for it - but not too much. He cried out at about midnight, so I went up there and was fully prepared to give it to him... But when I got up to his room, I could tell he was just having a bad dream. He just kept saying "I don't want Daddy...I don't want Daddy..." so I sort of woke him up and said you are having a dream. He didn't ask for the papi and I didn't mention it. He cried out at 5 am for his Papi - but then went back to sleep. This morning he got up about 6:15 and I told him how proud I was and then he came downstairs and Brian praised him too.... we will see what happens tonight, but I think we are on our way to Papiless days and nights!!

And while we are saying "Bye Bye" to things. Mason has stayed dry during the days in a pull up for about a week! "Bye Bye Diapers...." (in my mind, I am singing the "Bye - Bye Diapers, Hello Fun" song from his potty training DVD...)

What can I say? My little boy is growing up!