Saying Goodbye to Bella's Binkies!

Stuffing the binky in the stuffing!

"Mary" Bella's little lamb!

Putting clothes on Mary

Bella has been our binky baby ever since she was born.  Max never liked them, the only time he wants one is when he takes Bella's to tease her.  We have been talking about getting rid of the binkies for quite a while now and decided it was time.  A few weeks ago we started talking about going to "Build-a-Bear" as a reward for giving up the binky.  Bella seemed excited about it, but was always apprehensive when we told her it was in trade for the binky.

My friend Lindsey gave me the idea about "Build-a-Bear" but they actually put her daughter's binky inside the bear.  What a great idea!  Today was the day so we got up, got the kids ready and along with our entourage of moral support, headed to the mall.  Chelsey, Kasey, Sydney and Max were all there to help Bella through this difficult time.  We helped her pick the animal, out of all her choices she decided that the lamb was the cutest!  Sydney took her and got in line to have it stuffed.  When it was her turn, she held her binkies and as they stuffed her lamb she put the binkies in one by one.  She had a very difficult time and several times she seemed very sad.  They finished stuffing "Mary" the little lamb and closed her up.  I felt Bella's sadness several times and I tried not to shed a tear, she was so brave!  We then went to the washing station where you brush your animal to get off all the "fuzzies!"  Then the girls went shopping and picked out a few outfits for Mary.  Chelsey typed up a birth certificate for Mary and we were done!  Bella wanted to carry Mary in her "house" all by herself!  

I am so proud of Bella, I know giving up her binky is giving up her security, the thing that gives her comfort. She was so brave, we tell her that every time she misses her binky that her precious binkies are close by.  Now she can hug Mary when she needs comfort, but I hope she will always remember how many people love her and who are always there for her.  We will always be close by to hug you Baby, and give you comfort and all the love you could ever need!