"It's a pillow, it's a pet..."

"It's a pillow pet!" Kylee was very very excited to receive her long awaited pillow pet in the mail today! She has been talking about them for months! Several months ago we also started talking about giving up her thumb. Yes, for all her almost 4 yrs she has sucked her thumb, when she is tired, when she is hungry, when she is bored, when she is sad or insecure. We talked and encouraged and even prayed together that Jesus would help her. We tried a rewards chart and sometimes it seemed to help and other times, she didn't care about those silly stars. But she always had the grand prize set in her heart & head...a pillow pet. I believe she has also been ready mentally to give up the "habit", but just didn't know how. How do you give up something you have always done and that you love and is always there for you? But she has recently been talking about her China sister that stopped sucking her thumb, and she has been extra aware of the whole topic. A friend recently recommended that I try the yucky stuff you put on the thumb. I knew about it, but frankly didn't really think it would work. If it works so well why don't more people use it or talk about it? But I thought hey, why not. So 2 weeks ago we started it, 2-3 times a day. The 1st application she cried. But I explained to her that it wouldn't hurt and it wasn't punishment. It was just to remind her not to put it in her mouth. That night I did lay down with her until she went to sleep. It- took- a- long- time! Poor thing just tossed and turned and fidgeted trying to figure out how to relax with out her beloved. But she was so determined. No tears, no complaints. And after about an hour & a half, she fell asleep. I was sooooo proud of her. I had a mixture of emotions about it all, I was thrilled, proud and even a little sad. She is growing up! She has had very few moments of weakness over the last 2 weeks. It's just done. She even puts the "stuff" on her thumbs herself (with supervision of course). I don't think we will be needing it much longer. Our little girl has made a huge accomplishment! And I will say it again, we are so proud of her! She is very proud of herself too! Now this pillow pet....though her desire for one stayed consistent, the specific "pet" changed regularly. She finally landed on the lavender "hungry hippo". She also felt it was important that little brother have one. And she felt it very important to have said pets in time to take to Grandma's house. So we placed the order 1 week ago and have been waiting excitedly everyday for their arrivals! I wanted to get her initial reaction on camera, which was pretty special. The delight in her face was precious! Unfortunately I didn't have my camera at the post office and she couldn't wait until we got home to open it. So here is a little of her loving her new "pet". And she does LOVE it! Oh, little brother got the "silly monkey". Congratulations, Kylee! You did it!