Binkie for Bike

After 2 years, 8 months and 28 days, my sweet daughter decided on her own (with a little prompting) to throw her beloved binkies in the trash. It has been a looming battle we have not wanted to face but took the opportunity and bit the bullet, cold turkey. She immediately asked for a high five as soon as they hit the bottom of the trash can. I obliged with a smile and thought "I could be in for the longest night in history!". I explained to her that when daddy got home we would take her on a special trip to the store to pick out a new toy. She knew exactly what she wanted, a fast car! Here is what she came home with:




She has been riding this thing around the house like a pro! She is still learning to use the breaks, however!

The first night was a little rough. She slept with the bike in her room, but still asked for her binkie and said she couldn't sleep without it. It took a few hours but eventually we found her like this:
It has not been as bad as I thought, although nap time has become a constant battle of the wills. It usually doesn't happen without a few spankings and repeatedly putting her back in bed. She is doing well considering. I laid in bed with her the 2nd night and she tossed and turned and kept trying to find a way to soothe herself to sleep. She was so restless. Finally, I looked over and she was sound asleep.

This is a huge milestone for Sarabeth (and mommy and daddy). Although we are happy to finally break her of the habit, it's also sad to see her without it. Something about her binkie kept her a little baby in our eyes. I guess she always will be, but she is becoming more grown up every day. I am proud of her and I know this is just one of the many good choices Sarabeth will make.