Dexter Unplugged

About six months ago, Ben and I thought it would be best to wean Dexter off of his pacifier. We tried the, "you're a big boy now and there are little babies who need pacis - wouldn't you like to help those little babies?" approach. Dexter was totally receptive, helped box up the pacis for the Paci Fairy to give to the little babies, and was proud of himself for being such a big boy. Until it was bedtime and he lost his mind. Ben and I panicked, brought back his pacis, and Dexter clutched them all in fear that they would disappear. When Dexy moved to a big boy bed, we tried the same song and dance again but let him keep one paci for himself. That worked - we were successfully down to one plug. Over the past month, Dexter has chewed on this paci until it sprouted so many holes even he didn't want it anymore. As I was putting Dexter down for bed on Friday, he handed me the paci and asked me to take it. "This plug is broken. I don't like broken plugs." And he slept the night without it! Last night there was some back and forth about the plug so I kept bringing it back to him and taking it away at his request. It was clear he was having some trouble falling asleep without it (he kept sucking his cheeks in and putting his hand to his mouth like he used to do to feel the paci) but he did it. I don't want to jinx it but I think he's finally kicked his paci habit!