I don’t know what was different. There was something about the sucking. She’s been sucking on things for a long time now, her fist, my finger, any toy or object that her little hands can grasp and pull to her awaiting mouth. But Sunday the sucking seemed even stronger, even more necessary, and her fingers didn’t seem to be satisfying the need. I put the soothie in her mouth….thwpt…..out it went. Then on a whim I went and grabbed one of the many binkies I dutifully bought back when I was a mom-in-waiting, and put it in her mouth.
It was as if she had always had a binky in her mouth. Wham. Just like that. She loved it. She was already an old pro…taking it in and out, putting it in backwards and sideways, spitting it half way across the room then crying till we went and got it. We went to a BBQ at my sisters house that day and the whole family sat and watched in amazement as we put the binky back in over and over again…each time it was gone for too long she opened wide waiting to get it back.
This was a good sign. Never before had she allowed us to put any foreign objects into her mouth. Could this lead to the bottle?
Monday Mom came up to watch fi while I worked. That afternoon we ran to fred meyer and bought “nuk” bottle nipples – the same brand as her now beloved binkies- tomorrow would be the day (duhnt, duhnt, duhhhhhh)
Tuesday mid morning my mom warmed up the bottle I had prepared and when she was ready popped it into Fi’s mouth. CHA CHING!!!! She took it! NO KIDDING SHE REALLY REALLY TOOK IT!!!!! We didn’t want to celebrate so we just smiled and waited. A couple of hours later Fi seemed hungry again so I took the bottle….CHA CHING!!!!!! She took it again! Then again later for 4 more ounces from my mom!!!!
That night I went to bed so proud of my little girl. But the surprises were just beginning.
I got to bed around 10p.m. and read for a bit…..the next time I opened my eyes it was 5:45 A.M.!!!!!! What? Was I confused? Had I gotten up and just not remembered it? Had Greg heard her before me and gotten up instead of me and taken care of it? What? DID SHE SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT?????? OH MY GOD!!!! I did what every mother does….I got up and ran into her room to make sure she was still breathing. There she was, sound asleep, on the other side of the crib and facing the opposite direction from where she started….but sound asleep.
My little girl slept through the night. I can not believe it. I didn’t expect it to happen for months yet. I don’t expect it to be a regular thing, but what a prize to get this so early.
To top it off she took another bottle this morning from Greg- finally daddy got to feed his little girl, he was so excited and felt so proud, it was wonderful- and then he bounced her off to her nap. All by himself. She not only ate from him but let him put her down too.
I can’t tell you how this makes me feel. I am finally not the only one that can care for this child. I mean, don’t get me wrong, we are extemely lucky people who have loved ones coming out of our ears helping to take care of her…but until this day I have been the only one who could truly meet her needs. I felt the slightest bit of pressure lift from my shoulders this morning.
It is my Independence Day.
Yeah Happy INdependence day!!! Just took her sweet time w/ it all I guess. I know how you feel.. FREEDOM!
ha ha Congrats!
Wooooo-Hooooo!!!!!
Little Missy “I’ll do it MY way” finally did it. Good for her. And good for you too! My sister Pam swore by the Nuk brand of binkies and nipples–Dawn wouldn’t tolerate anything less. But the timing has to be right, and it looks like you hit the sweet spot.
Just THINK of the possibilities that are open to you now! Long hikes, travel, Christmas Dinner!
Yeah!! That is GREAT news! That gives me hope that someday Jameson will make the choice to take a bottle! You said it so perfectly when you said you feel the pressure being lifted off of you for being THE ONLY one that can meet her needs. I hear ya! Congrats and I hope things continue in the same direction!