Sleeping Bear Only

Today is Day 3 of the Bear stays in bed transition. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but finally decided it was time. She just seems to be getting more and more attached to him. The first day was really hard! That told me that I had waited too long and I was doing the right thing. Normally she has him off and on all day whenever she wants him. The fact that she had to leave "Be" in the bed was the hardest to deal with. She asked about him all the time and at one point after having to put him back at after nap time, she got hysterical! All worked up with crying, dry heaving, coughing, and saying Mommy and Be over and over again. One of the saddest moments ever! But we cuddled on the couch for a long time and she settled down. The next day was even better but still hard. So far today has been much better. She still asks about him and says, "I get him. (not super clear but I live with her all day so I know)". Earlier I was in the laundry room folding clothes and I heard a very happy squeal and "Dare!! (There)" and just knew she had gotten him. I walked into the living room to see her holding her bear. I squatted down and said, "Addison, you need to put your bear back in your bed and you can have him when you go Night-Night." She said "OK" very sadly and hung her head down, walked straight to her room and put him back, and then she came out and I praised her and we started building with the blocks. It's a work in progress but she is getting it and so far the crying has become farther and farther apart so that is good.

I don't want to take him away completely. When she first wakes up she has him for a little bit and then once she is really awake we walk back and tuck him in bed and give him a smooch. The same with nap time. When we leave the house we get to get him and cuddle him in the car. She is 19 months old now and just the same as if it were a passy, we don't believe she needs him all the time when she is awake. And it helps with the thumb sucking because she only sucks her thumb if she is holding her bear.

It is absolutely precious when she gets in bed and gets so excited. From the day she got him, she has gotten excited every single time she sees her bear. They have a very special bond. One that we aren't taking away, just limiting. :)