We lost the plug!!!

Over the past 6 months or so, I've been trying to get Caleb to get rid of his beloved plug (pacifier) to no avail. Ever since he was a few months old, he'd suck on that thing and make this sing-songy humming noise which meant that he was about ready to drift off to sleep. It was more than just his 'plug', it was truly a comfort, and he just wasn't ready to part with it. I didn't push it either because every time he was without it for an extended period of time, he'd suck on his fingers, and I certainly didn't want him to turn into a thumb sucker.

The plug did have it's limitations though.... Caleb knew he couldn't take it outside to play, and if he was trying to talk, I'd tell him I couldn't understand him, and he'd spit it right out. If we were out and about for a long day (like Adventureland), I'd bring it along and Caleb could only suck on it if he was in stroller. The real problems began when he'd want to sit in the stroller and skip rides just so he could suck on that thing. At one point I was talking to Dr. Jon about this and his comment was, "You know how some grown men take a smoke break??? Well you have a toddler who enjoys a good plug break". Ha-ha very funny.... but unfortunately, true!

This past Saturday night, we went to Ben's 4th birthday party and one of his presents was a Mack truck (from the Cars movie) complete with little Chick Hicks, Leak Less, and McQueen cars. It was love at first sight for my little man. He was totally obsessed with it, and has been asking for it ever since the party.

So tonight after we got home from Katherine's dance lessons, I told Caleb that when he was ready to throw his plugs in the garbage, we'd head out and get him his very own Mack truck. I made the stipulations CRYSTAL CLEAR, and he knew that once the plugs went into the garbage we'd get him Mack, but he'd never get them back. All of a sudden, he grabbed two plugs and threw them in the trash. I about fell over.

All of a sudden, he starts doing a happy dance and yelling for Mack. We're all cheering for him, and he runs and grabs his shoes and yells, "Mommy, shoes on"! Needless to say, at 8:15, with both kids in their jammies, we make the 15 mile (one way) trip to Wal-Mart and pick up this. Caleb was just beaming. He was so proud of himself, and in loooooove with his new Mack. I told him a million times how proud I was of him, what a big boy he was, and reminded him WHY I bought Mack.

We didn't get home until almost 9:00 tonight and I had to let him stay up and play with Mack. Since he gave up his beloved plugs and was now a big boy, he got to stay up and play with the truck he traded his plugs for.

Both Matt and I were fearing bedtime, hoping he didn't stay up and cry for hours, and praying we wouldn't give in to the pressure! Matt brought him into his room, put Mack on his dresser (so that he could watch over Caleb while he slept), and went through the bedtime routine. For about 3 minutes he yelled, "DAAAA-DEEEE", but didn't cry and didn't ask for his plug. So yea, the $20.00 was well spent!! Now, here's to hoping that tomorrow goes just as easily!!