April 11, 2007

What a sad thing...

My baby is 5 today! I can't believe he's that big! I have birthday party pictures I'll try to post soon if I can get away from Mattie long enough to get to the computer!

Since December we've been talking about Jacob stopping his thumb sucking when he turns 5. Well, tonight was the night. It was so sad! First I put a sock over his hand and taped it on (gently). Well, he felt about that like he feels about shoes on his feet! So I took the sock off and he used sheer will power to not put his thumb in his mouth. Well, he did try hard, but it made me so sad for him!

At one point he said, "Can't I just go back to being four?" And at another point he came out to the living room and said, "It's just so sad to stop sucking my thumb." We did shed some tears, though I didn't reveal mine. (I don't think we would have recovered!) Then later he said, "When can I be a kid again so I can suck my thumb?"

So, not only are we trying to break a 5 year daily habit, but he's encountering MAJOR philosophical issues to deal with as well!! It does make me sad for him to grow up and be done (or trying to be) with that part of childhood. But it makes me sad that he's so anxious about it too. Mostly it makes me so proud of him for being such a good boy about it! He didn't argue or ask if he could suck his thumb, just shared how sad it was and how hard it was to not do it. We did pray and ask Jesus for help and thanked him for helping Jacob grow up into a healthy, big 5 year old boy.

And about five minutes after I left (after rubbing his back, praying with him, singing to him, etc.), I went back to check on him and he was asleep...with his thumb on the pillow about 8 inches away!! That makes me even sadder for him when he's so cooperative about it! It makes me want to reward him and just let him suck it after all! Maybe he can stop when he's 6...

Oh, why do we have to grow up and experiences the harsh things of this world? Why can't we just snuggle in mommy's lap and suck our thumbs with Joe (his beloved puppy dog) forever??

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aw, what a sweet post. Happy Birthday, Jacob! What a smart, sweet and wonderful boy you are! I'm so proud to be your aunt!

Matt said...

Way to go Jacob...I'm so proud of you! Happy Birthday!

A girl who sees said...

Jacob, it's hard when things change like this sometimes isn't it? I'm so proud of you for being such a sweet boy and having such a happy heart about it though! Happy Birthday from Aunt Kjirstin and Uncle Danny :) We love you!

Dan and Marcy Salvatore said...

I remember this Nuk separation a bit differently in our home... or car as it was... Remember Liss? It's always good to remember that others are in different places that we can't fully understand in our place right now, and that they have to walk it with Jesus. I can walk alongside, encourage and pray.

Love you Lissa et al

Anonymous said...

mom i would be happy to let him suck my c o ck instead, my 3 were well use to sucking it by 5yrs old