The Break Up

The morning of the break up. 

That's the face of excitement and determination right there!

Dear Ruby,

We've told you quite a few times recently but for the record, I want you to know how incredibly proud your mama and daddy are of you! It's been two weeks since you "broke up" with your boppy and I am STILL in disbelief of how well you handled it. It actually makes me laugh because ditching your binky was a transition I have been thinking about and DREADING for months now. I've considered countless strategies to wean you from your beloved boppy, spent hours talking it over with family and friends, and even waited for my first trimester of pregnancy and then holidays to pass so that I would be fully rested for the week I set aside for the break up drama. All that and then you go and act like it's no big deal! I even told your Dad the other day that I felt badly for underestimating your ability to handle it. I underestimated your grasp on the big picture and readiness despite your agreement with "the plan". But I guess that's the funny thing about being a parent. As I raise you, YOU are teaching me lessons. Well, lesson learned - my girl is tough, brave, smart, resilient, and as long as you are properly prepared you can handle big girl stuff!

So that we'll always remember how it all went down, let me recap the break up process:

We decided the best was to get rid of the bops for good (you've just been using them to get to sleep) was to let you decide who you wanted to give them to, someone who could use them. You were sure you wanted to give them to a princess - specifically Cinderella (she then would take them to her castle and give them to the babies.) In turn you would get a big girl bed. You clarified, a PRINCESS big girl bed (yea.....right...) We talked about the plan in detail for a couple weeks before we went to Disneyland and you thankfully seemed on board. 

 

The night before we went to Disneyland we wrote a note to Cinderella and wrapped up all but one of the boppys so that you could have a final nights sleep with your precious bop. 

Thank you Cinderella!

Here you are proudly holding your boppys in front of Cinderella's castle. Yay!

We had to hunt down Cinderella and of course at first we found almost every Princess EXCEPT Cinderella. Mommy was starting to get a little nervous...

BUT THEN WE SPOTTED HER! 

 Nana and I watched you RUN over to Cinderella and hand over your boppys with zero hesitation. I was so proud of you and couldn't help but tear up (ok fine - I was crying!) 

Cinderella seemed so honored to have been "the chosen one" - she was so sweet and read the letter with you. 

You did it! So very proud of my girl! 

As a present Nana bought you this special Cinderella cell phone so you could call Cinderella direct and check on your boppys at anytime. You've been calling daily and it's quite sweet. 

A celebration treat

All in all the break up was shockingly painless. There were moments of weakness and sadness but not the hysteria I was prepared for. Not a single tear was shed at bedtime the first night - or the second. Nap time was rough the first week, not because you were screaming or crying but because you just weren't sleeping or if you were it wasn't for long. Thankfully this week we are back on track. Way to go girl!

I can't believe how much you've grown up the last few months - you really are a big girl now! We love you SO much Gracie girl! 

Love,

Mama