Cheese and Pacifiers

Today exactly 6 weeks we got smiles from RJ!! None on record yet, but hopefully we will catch the moment soon!

.

I have been fighting with an inner argument. I really want to do what is best for my children, but I really don't like the idea of thumb sucking, finger sucking, or pacifier sucking. Just something inside me doesn't like the action of any of those things. I feel that I am personally a failure if I can't get my children to be happy without other foreign objects entering their mouths. I know that sounds silly, but it is a fight within me for some reason! With Morgan, when given the opportunity she rejected the pacifier! I didn't try too often but when she was inconsolable I tried and she really didn't like the idea...hence we did not force the idea and she did not need anything besides love from family to console her. RJ on the other hand is literally a mover and a shaker! He was a mover and shaker from the beginning inside me and now when awake he never lies still! He is always kicking and punching and moving! I love his energy, but without a pacifier (when he has a moment of screaming) the only way to make him calm is walking around the room at a brisk pace, making the 'sh-sh' sound, patting his bottom, and bouncing up and down....all at the same time! An exhausting feet! And sometimes that doesn't work! I am not using a pacifier all the time...just when he gets to the point he is inconsolable! We are not putting him to sleep with it and again I repeat are only using it when he is screaming, not just being a little fussy. I am still not happy with the idea, but I need to make him happy and if I can't do that with my love, I guess the plastic of a pacifier will do the job...for now...