Helton brothers: Pacifier is gone!

Our little "sweet pea" is growing up! We decided at his 3rd birthday, the pacifier needs to go. This is a huge milestone for him. When he was younger, we used the pacifier as a plug whenever he was fussy, screaming, or needed to be soothed. Then we went from just having it at nap and night time. Now's it's gone.

We told him that he could go to a toy store and pick out anything he wants for the cost of the pacifier. Sunday night was the night...Jonas tucked his only pacifier in his jean pocket and we were off to the store. He roamed for 1 hour looking at every aisle and after calculating in his mind the best toy out there for the price of his pacifier, he picked out a remote control track backhoe. Before we got to the counter, I had told the sales associate our whimsical plan(in which she told her whole team, so they applauded him out the door) and slipped our credit card to pay for the backhoe. Jonas stepped up to the counter and knew exactly what he needed to do...paid with his pacifier. There was a sense of excitement and fear within him all at the same time during this transaction.

But he did it! And we are so proud of him!

Jonas was thrilled to own such a massive machinery. 8:30pm came around and he said "Backhoe is done for the day and we both need to sleep". Matt and I were hesitating this moment to put him down for the night. But he called it and we did our little bedtime routine. He climbed into bed and laid there looking all around thinking(I'm sure about his pacifier). Typically, he rolls over, turns his music on and tells us to get off his bed. :) Well, not this time. He looked up at us and tears started to well up and said "I'm sad". Matt and I cuddled with him for the next hour singing and praying for him. He eventually fell asleep but woke up looking for his pacifier 3 times in the night. It's so tough on Matt and I emotionally as well. It's so tough watching your kid sad. But it's life and we need to move on. I think Jonas will survive during this time but pacifier withdrawals might come and go for awhile.

Here's Jonas at 15 months old(same age as Silas right now). He has loved his pacifier and Roo for so long. Luckily, he has Roo still...we will never tell him to give that up.