Unplugged (Update)

It has been twenty days since Tanner and Abigail have used a pacifier!

Tanner was a trooper the first few days...he would go right to sleep with no problems while Abigail cried, screamed, and/or whined for 45 minutes to an hour.  On day two, my "banshee" woke up Tanner with her carrying on after he had been asleep for over an hour!  For the next few days I put them down for naps in separate rooms, which I think may have made it worse.  Now Abigail was crying for me, her pacifier, and Tanner too.  Meanwhile, Tanner was taking longer to drift off alone in the other room. 

Wiped Out (7 months old)

Eventually I gave in and put them back in the same room.  I didn't want them to keep each other awake so I came up with a way to keep them occupied in their own crib...books!  They always had one board book* in their crib along with their blanket and a sleep pal but it was a book that I had selected.  I began letting them each pick one board book from their book shelf to take to bed with them.  They like being able to pick a new book for nap and night time.  At first, Abigail would roll on to her tummy to "read" her book to her sleep pal which meant that she was awake for 40-45 minutes but she wasn't crying and keeping Tanner awake.  Tanner would lay on his back and read his book, but quickly put it down and fall asleep.  Occasionally I would have to go up and speak to them about settling down for their nap but not often.  Now they both roll over without even "reading" their book or briefly glance at it before nodding off.

Christmas Hangover (7 months old)

Matt and I both admit that weaning them from their "pacis" was a lot easier than we thought.  We lucked out with the cold turkey approach...I am sure it isn't as easy for everyone.  All I can say is BE STRONG, and DON'T GIVE IN!  They can do it, and you can too!

Catching some ZZZZZZs in Grammie's arms. (20 months old)

* I only allow them to have board books in bed since they are much more durable than paperback books.  If I am not there to supervise a board book has a much higher survival rate, especially with Tanner (he is a peeler).  I also NEVER let them have library books in bed or unsupervised.  All the library books they have are kept in our bedroom and read with an adult before bedtime.