Goodbye, Emmy

It's been a long time coming. In fact, it would have been last summer but with a baby on the way we decided to hold off on anything that could be a source of regression. Cupcake's pacifier, Emmy, was a staple in her sleep routine but would soon be the cause of massive dental work if we couldn't kick the habit. Sigh.

So, once Cutie Pie arrived and we all settled in we started to talk about the transition. At first mention of getting rid of Emmy Cupcake was all tears. We let it sit awhile. Then we brought it up again and told her no more Emmy in the car. After a few weeks she almost forgot Emmy was there for car naps. Next up we took Emmy away at nighttime. After a few sad nights she was fine with Emmy only for nap. Then we let her keep Emmy at nap for awhile...admittedly a long while. Every couple of days I would tell her that when she was ready we'd go to the Build-a-Bear store and she could pick a special friend to hold Emmy for her. Every time I'd tell her about it, she'd reply in a sweet little voice "No thanks, let's wait a few more days." A few more days became weeks, became months. I was worried it might get ugly. Then to my complete shock she woke up from nap about a month ago and in a matter-of-fact voice told me that she was ready to put Emmy in a bunny's tummy. I jumped on it. A quick call to Dad to meet us at the mall, a diaper change for Cutie Pie and we were on it. I didn't want to risk a mind changing, though I braced myself for massive tears at the crucial moment.

Here we are at the store....Emmy in mouth one last time while holding the lifeless friend she picked.

 

 Stuffing her bunny- she chose "kind of full"

 Rubbing a heart to warm it up and get it "going"

 

Putting the heart to her ear so that bunny will be a good listener. 

 Touching the bunny's heart to her heart so that bunny will be caring and kind.

The moment of truth.  There were tears. Lots of tear. Can't you see them? Oh, wait....that is because the Mom and Dad were crying. Cupcake was all smiles. She's putting Emy away for good. Tucking away one last piece of "baby" as she proudly takes on Big girl. She was ready. We were not. Even though we knew it was best...she just decided so quick and was so mature about it that we both were taken off guard that this simple act showed us that our eldest really is growing up. 

Here she is giving bunny a bath...to make sure she is all clean and ready for her new home. She named her Juliet. Ironically one of the names once on the list for Cupcake.

That's it. We brought Juliet home. She has slept with us every nap, night, and in between. She goes in the car, she eats at the table. She is included in bed time prayers and story time. When Cutie Pie cries, Cupcake runs to find Juliet convinced she can make it better. Strangely, she usually does. One month later with our dear Juliet and not once have I heard it mentioned....Emmy. She's gone. It is finished. Another milestone to tick off. On one had a mother's heart is filled with pride for the grace such a sacrifice was met with. On the other, my heart is slow to accept that they really do grow so fast.