Ode to "pa"

Dear Paci (affectionately known from here on out as "pa")~

No one could have prepared me for the "love at first sight" bond you and Reese would share from day one. Literally. The first night of her little life demanded that pa {you} be introduced just so that mama could get rest after a 41 hour labor and 50+ hours of no sleep. It was as if you and Reese had been old friends...long before she met anyone else. She didn't need coercion or affirmation. She took one suck and found a long lost friend. Maybe this is why nursing was difficult. I had read to not introduce a pacifier or nipples too early so as not to disrupt feeding. Because of the above information, mama ignored said advice.

We managed. We got through the countless naps of you falling out of Reese's mouth while trying to drift to dreamland. We figured out how to reach behind the passenger seat in the car, nearly cutting off all circulation in our arms, to plug you in when Reese would howl to and from locations. We discovered how great those do-dads are that connect pa to a shirt. And we decided that Avent was our favorite pa brand.

You made Reese's life and therefore mom and dad's much easier! We sailed (and maybe at times paddled) through colds, teething, boo-boo's, long airplane rides, and major life changes because of you. No matter what had happened, as soon as pa came in sight shrills of laughter and clapping would ensue because you were there. Nap times were longed for, bedtime requested.

You were loved so much that soon another pa joined you. One for Reese's mouth and one to hold while she slept.

But then the sad, sad day came when it was time to say goodbye. Reese's addiction love for pa had grown so much that if she didn't have it at all times and happened to wake up, she'd scream at whatever hour of the night it was until we came to the rescue. Having Allie in the same room only complicated matters. Plus with Reese's 2nd birthday fast approaching, it seemed like the right thing to do. 

Our first attempt proved fatal. Mom and dad hadn't thought it through enough (more mom than dad). I had decided to cut the tops off one morning after Reese had awoken for the day. Dad wasn't feeling well. This also happened to be the day mom was going to the movies with Aunt Monika and dad was babysitting. I told him hopefully it would only be a few minutes of crying and then she'd fall asleep. Dad learned just how much Reese loved you that day. He said she screamed and cried like he'd never heard before. Mom got a call during the movie to ask where the other "uncut" pa's were. This event only made us more nervous for the real thing but we had to do it. You both were too attached and the sentiment had to end.

Let's just say...pa...we really miss you. While we aren't inviting you back and even had Reese do the big girl thing by throwing you both in the trash herself, it's been a rocky, bumpy road! I'm promised that eventually she will forget and sleep soundly. I hope so! You've now been replaced by a cute, soft bear that Reese named "lovey." It's not really a fair trade but we hope she'll love that bear one day half as much as she loved you. It was a great 2 years, pa! You served us well...a little too well. 

Love, Reese's Mama