A giant step towards being a big kid!

We've been dealing with several bouts of ear infections and bad colds around here since mid-December but recently we've been hanging close to the house and trying to get well.   We have also been thinking - for some time - about how to get rid of the pacifier.  Well when Natalie got her most recent cold, and I could see we were headed for another trip to the doctor's office, I had an idea about how to possibly get rid of the paci for good.

Natalie LOVES the doctor.  Shots and all she always loves to go to the doctor.  She loves the fish tank in the waiting room, she loves the nurses and all the attention.  When I tell her we are going to the doctor she says "Nice Doctor Lady!  Check your ears!"  Poor thing has had more than her fair share of ear infections - to say the least.  I asked Natalie yesterday if she wanted to give her paci to the doctor.  She seemed cool with the idea and even told Jon that we were going to the doctor and she was going to give her the paci.  We talked it up big time and even shared our plan with Mamaw, Papaw, Leslie and Katherine.  We took two pacifiers with us to the office and when the doctor came in (one we'd never seen before) Natalie proclaimed that she had something to give the doctor.  Sure enough she grabbed both pacis and handed them to Dr. Edwards.  When the doc asked her if she was sure and if she wanted to say one last goodbye it looked as if Natalie was swallowing hard but she gave her a big smile and said "Natalie big girl, all done paci".

Believe it or not she went to sleep without a peep last night and didn't ask for the paci at all!  I'm sure this is far from over but our sweet girl made a big step in the right direction and we are so proud of her!

Such a big girl!