good-bye faithful woobie

yesterday, luke had his 15-month doctor appointment. he's growing. he has an ear infection (again). he got a shot.

but the most traumatic part of the appointment, unknown to luke, is that dr. nale said it is time to give up the woobie.

my heart fell.

lukie has been attached to his woobie (aka pacifier) since he was only a few weeks old. i gave it to him in desparation one afternoon when he wouldn't quit crying and he has loved it ever since. he sleeps with his arm tucked around fluppy, one woobie in his mouth and one in his hand.

i knew this day would come, but i'd hoped that it would be his decision to let go of this little comfort, not daddy and mommy snatching it from him. but, in addition to potentially affecting his speech, children who use pacifiers after 12 months of age are more likely to get sick, according to dr. nale. so with that, michael and i decided the woobie would be on its way out.

the doctor said it would take a couple days for luke to adjust, but that he's resilient and it would be harder for us than for him. we could give up the woobie cold turkey, slowly cut off the nipple until he couldn't hold it in his mouth, put it out of reach and constantly tell him no when he asks for it. none of those sound like good options to me.

i mentioned to michael that we could let thursday be the last day for the woobie so that he had all weekend to adjust before going back to MDO on monday. but, when michael emerged from luke's room last night after laying him down to sleep, the woobie was in his hand.

i was shocked. and honestly, really sad.

my little boy isn't a baby anymore. he's growing up. tomorrow he'll be in kindergarten and next week he'll be moving off to college, not needing me to cuddle him or kiss his boo-boos or fix his breakfast. though maybe still wash his laundry.

i know the point of parenting is to grow up little independent people who are capable of taking care of themselves and, one day, someone else.

i just didn't realize it would come so fast.