The new Lyla

We went to our good friend's mission farewell

at the end of April and Lyla lost her binki.

She was so sad, but only when it was

nap time or bedtime.

***

Two weeks after she lost it our friend came to visit

and she found the binki and brought it with her.

I stuffed it in the kitchen drawer not wanting Lyla to find it,

but wanting to save it for sentimental purposes.

A week later I was getting Lyla some cereal,

reached in the drawer and got her a spoon

and closed the drawer.

I turned around and while I was turned around,

Lyla opened that same drawer and reached her hand in

searching for whatever she could find

and pulled out the binki.

Her face lit up with a huge smile and she yelled,

"BINKI!"

It was like she found a long lost friend.

I gasped and grabbed it out of her hand

and she began to cry.

So I hurried and snipped off the end and gave it back to her.

She just looked at it and put it in her mouth

and realized she couldn't suck on it anymore.

So she carried it around for a little while

and then dropped it and never asked for it again.

***

I think it was good for her, a bit of closure.

She seems so much bigger to me,

she has been talking so much lately

and she is so much happier without

having a stinky binki to worry about.

***

On another note...

as you can see I broke down and bought

a child leash.

I told myself I would never do it.

I've seen parents in crowded places

with their children attached to a leash

and

thought to myself,

"Now that's just sad" as I'm shaking my head.

But after taking Lyla to the zoo,

I decided I needed the peace of mind.

She's banned the stroller,

and refuses to hold my hand.

With two other kids to keep track of,

I couldn't think of any other option.

I've gotten a couple of laughs,

and a lot of stares,

and I'm still embarrassed to walk

around with my child on a leash.

So it is only used when absolutely necessary.

Never say never!