Binky Today

So.  Emily turns four in just under a month.  It is time to check in on her binky... a post that I started planning last August when her binky looked like this.

She wasn't really sucking on it any more since a piece had already been cut out.  But on the evening of August 10th I told Emily that because she had continued biting the rubber tip, it was almost split all the way across...

 and she would have to completely cut the tip off.

 So...

 she...

did.

 Since that night, Binky has remained in her hand...

 and still very close to her at all times.

Although, she did put it in at least one time since the snip.

Over the months we have been talking to her about what to do with Binky.  It doesn't bother us that she has it and even though the dentist didn't really care before, he REALLY doesn't care since it is never in her mouth.  But, I did come up with a great idea (I think) to put Binky in a "binky bear."  Emily has never done "Build A Bear" but for her first one we would put Binky inside.  That way she could snuggle her stuffed friend AND have her Binky close by.  For months though, she has been telling us that she is not ready and we told her that she should just let us know when she is.  

So, last weekend, we were going to go out to the mall and Daddy asked if she was ready to put Binky in a binky bear.  She excitedly said, "yes!" and started to go upstairs to get Binky.  But, as she walked up the stairs she was doing self talk and saying things like, "it's okay.  It's not scary in the binky bear."  Honestly, I was getting teary as I listened to her.  Then, when she reached her room she exclaimed, "I can't find Binky!  He's hiding because he's too scared."  Daddy suggested that perhaps Binky would like to go with us to look around Build A Bear.  Apparently, Binky was up for that.

When we got to the store, I gave Emily Binky in the baggie and she showed "him" around.

Binky checked a few different animals to see if any were a good fit.

But, while Daddy and I pushed for a couple of them...

Emily and Binky were really digging the camo bear.

Oh my.

Then, we left the store so Emily and Binky could think about it for a bit and when we returned we checked in with Emily and Binky.

They were ready!

So, we went back inside where Emily settled on a Koala and then waited for someone to come over and help us.

But, by the time the girl walked over and things were seriously serious, Emily was feeling nervous.

And after checking in one last time...

she decided that she just wasn't ready yet.

So, Binky remains in her clutches and we will continue to wait until the perfect time.