Airplanes, Pacifiers, Diapers & Animals, Too!

I journal to Hayden---here's an excerpt from my most recent ramblings:
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Hayden,

On Saturday we went up to Nana and Papa’s. While we were there, the air show at Keesler Air Force Base (with special guests, the Blue Angels) began. Unfortunately, you have your momma’s ears, so at the loudness you came running, screaming, hands over the ears! Oh, it was awful. We immediately headed indoors since you couldn’t be convinced you were fine. Thus started two days of afternoons with you in Mommy’s lap, crying and screaming. Sunday night you fought going to bed like crazy. We thought you were getting sick, but no. We thought you were just fighting it, but no again. The best we can surmise is that you figured the airplanes were coming for you. Monday night went well. Tuesday is a different story, however. I had to lie on your floor until you fell asleep. I snuck out, but an hour and a half you were up and thus proceeded to stay up until 1, when Daddy went to the couch and you stayed in bed with Mommy. Then you began tossing and turning, sitting up, talking, etc. for another 45 minutes until I threatened to put you back in your bed. So then it was after 2 AM, and we all got approximately 3 hours of sleep. Last night, Daddy was at church because it was his week to lead Bible study. I started the bed process early because I expected a fight. Oh, and I forgot to mention what happened at supper! While strapped in your chair, the AC kicked on and you nearly tipped the chair trying to get out because you thought it was a plane! And the only way you’ll be outside at school is to be strapped into the high chair. It’s since gotten better, but my goodness.

So back to Wednesday night. You started screaming and running in the opposite direction at the mention of bed. So eventually I had to put the baby gate back on your door (which I hated because I felt like I was caging you in). Daddy had to do this Sunday night as well (when you screamed for over an hour). After 25 minutes, you crawled on your bed and gave in. Tonight went much better, but I’ll talk about that in a moment.

You’re still afraid to play outside, but at least we’re progressing. And now, to tonight.
Again, the mention of bed sent you running. And after asking at school if you were still using your pacifier at naptime and them informing me that you hadn’t used it in months, Mommy made a decision. So I cut the tip. Only I cut too much! But it worked! You put it in, pulled it out, looked at it, put it in, cried over it, and then I asked you, “Do you want to be a big boy and throw it in the trash can?” You looked at it, then at me, nodded, we said “bye-bye, paci,” and dropped it in. Then we went crazy celebrating. So we are now pacifier free! And in order to get you to go to bed, you currently have a puppy, 2 monkeys, and 2 elephants in your bed (you’re sleeping on top of the monkeys). You went right to sleep—no pacifier! And hopefully, while Mommy’s on Spring Break next week we’ll become diaper-free! YES!!!! Saturday we are going to the NOLA zoo. It’ll be your first chance to see the animals you love so much up close! We can’t wait to see your reaction and take pictures! Yea!!

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It's been an interesting 2 weeks with mister. I can't believe he'll be 2 Easter Sunday. We know ridding ourselves of the pacifier was long overdue, but with the way life has been, I figured it was one less fight. If I had known it would be this easy, I would have done it months ago when I thought about it but didn't follow through! Now, just to get over this fear of airplanes and to survive potty training, and we're good to go!