OK, third time has to be a charm... Thanks to my dear friend Leigh, we have taken the plunge yet a third time and have gotten rid of the pacifier. Landon and I went to Build a Bear today and had a great time making a stuffed puppy that Landon named Pluto. Landon was enthusiastic and handed the man operating the stuffing machine his two pacifiers to put into Pluto's belly.
Landon holding the heart that he and I both kissed and put in the stuffing that now shares a space with two pacifiers in Pluto's belly.
Serious hug here. After we left Pluto had to share the seat with Landon in the stroller and is now among the many friends in Landon's bed with him.
We declared today, "Big Boy Day". He got dressed in his big boy clothes with big boy underwear and we set out to get stepping stools so he could stand to pee pee in the potty without mommy's help (or additional stress on my back), a build a bear who would be stuffed with the pacifiers (this time all pacifiers went- none left for any of us to fall back on), and cupcakes because one of the "No more Pacifiers" books we read had a little boy eating a cupcake because he did not have a paci in his mouth.
We accomplished all goals and had lunch at Panera's. Landon took the Big Boy theme seriously and did not sit in a booster or highchair, ate all of his meal (bagel with cream cheese, many pieces of my spinach lettuce, apple and water out of a big boy cup) without a struggle at all. I could not believe it.We finished the day by playing in the play area at the mall. He had a blast chasing all the older kids around and has become quite a climber. I was so proud of him.
We got home for nap and he did cry for paci. He did fall out of his bed for the first time. He did try to rip the build a bear Pluto open to get his pacifier. I did rock him to sleep. But when he got up, he told his Nanny who was here visiting, "Paci went bye bye." He said this very matter of factly and he is soundly sleeping right now without paci. He is very motivated by mommy being happy right now and I really played that up today. He IS a big boy and I am so proud of him.
I do covet your prayers as we go through this transition. We have expected a lot out of him but feel it is better to do these things now when we are able to give him our full attention. He brings us such joy- it is amazing and more so daily.
Landon also made the connection that "Uncle Fred" had the same name as his truck "Fred" and proceeded to show my Uncle Fred all of his cars. He had the most adorable look on his face when he held the truck, Fred, in his hand, slyly waltzed over to Uncle Fred and held up the truck to match Fred with Fred. How sweet.
Aunt Vivian made quite and impression when she surprised Landon with "Red", the firetruck from Cars that I had promised to Landon if he pooped in the potty! She also was a great snuggle buddy as evidenced by this picture! (And yes, if you are wondering if that is a pacifier in his mouth, it is. He still has it for naps and bedtime. The last baby thing to go. We have made so many transitions this summer, and he and the rest of us did not sleep for 6 weeks straight when we attempted to get rid of it, that I decided it wasn't worth it at this point. He is almost there and I am working on a good way to do it this time. I am thinking about Build a Bear as my dear friend Leigh suggested where Landon would put his paci in the belly of the bear and keep the bear.) Certainly not something I thought I would still be dealing with. 
Last but not least...speaking of big boy things...Landon is definitely Pee-pee potty trained and has started regularly sitting on the potty to try to poop- and is happy about it! I did have to change the reward now that he has "Red", but thankfully my mother in law found two cars he had been wanting at a yard sale for 2.50! Thanks Kay! He sat three times today after he learned of the new incentives!
Landon and Porter playing in Porter's pool. Porter is our across the street neighbor. These two love Cars and Trains and have so much fun playing together. It is a joy to watch them laugh and chase each other. Porter is the reason Landon is sleeping in his big boy bed!
Landon and his cousin Carrie. He was showing her Buzz Light Year- it was a huge toy that all the two year 