Operation Abandon Pacifiers

We have been dreading this weekend for over a year. We know we should have taken Luke's pacifier from him when he was one, but we were weak! We saw his open bite at age two but baby Caroline and exhaustion caused us to fail to take our own prescription. We knew that the day was coming. We have talked with Luke about being a big boy who doesn't need a pacifier anymore. His pacifier is called "Big paci," a name that was acquired when I purchased him the size 3 pacifier last fall and he was so proud of it. Big paci is kind of like a friend, complete with personality. He only gets it in bed, although when you add it up that's more than half the hours of the day.
Knowing what we know now (it's harder to get a paci from a 3-year-old than a 1-year-old), we had decided to take Caroline's from her when we took Luke's. On Friday night Luke brought up the issue, saying he was ready to give up Big paci. We had talked it up, promising a trip to pick out a special toy. When bedtime came, he didn't want to go through with it. I decided to push a little bit (I had hidden the paci earlier) and told him he was going to be able to do it. After a 30 seconds of pitiful tears, the little guy pulled himself together! He agreed to take Black Bear, a stuffed animal, instead. Michael and I were giving each other unbelieving looks. We were truly expecting wailing and gnashing of teeth. Amazingly, he went on to sleep with very little fuss. We are awfully proud of him. I feel strangely wistful and choked up to see my big boy surrendering one more part of babyhood. Today we took him to the toy store and he walked around with such self-control and considered three or four trucks before selecting a three-pack with a tow truck, a garbage truck (eco-conscious Luke calls it a recycle truck), and a roadside assistance truck. I was pretty impressed at how he can now walk through a toy store, control himself, not pull things down, and agree on one special truck without having a fit. He seemed very mature to me.
As another reward for his decision to give up the Paci, we converted his crib into a toddler bed! We think this may help with his morning wetting (he still has to sleep in a diaper, though potty trained). We think that since he can't get out to go potty, it's not really possible to take care of it on his own. We used the railing that can replace the front side of the crib. Luke was quite pleased with himself and seemed to do ok this first day. I am terrified he will start waking or coming out of his room and that is why I have delayed this so long! He is an excellent sleeper and we hope that he will stay that way.
Luke has been asking for the paci every time he goes to sleep but is easily convinced that he's ok. The only major breakdown was last night. I was unclear why. Turns out he woke up at 11pm with a tummy bug. Poor kid! Caroline had it on Sunday and it seems the other three of us are now afflicted. He and I are having a tv marathon while Caroline hangs with grandma. I think Luke is mostly recovered--the tv is for me!By the way, Caroline made the transition well also. A little crying, 5 minutes or less, at most of her sleep times for a day or so. Goes to show that my fears were worse than reality!