Finger lickin’ FREE!?

I don’t often take pictures of Tatum when she is like this:

But, this is the classic Tot look. Fingers in mouth and baby’s nose rubbing her nose.  It’s her happy place. And honestly, those fingers are inserted into her mouth more often than not.

It has been ADORable  cute for a long time, and it still is, but not only is it inhibiting her ability to have manners at times (she inserts her fingers in her mouth when appearing to be shy) and it is also ruining her teeth.

Actually, today, the dentist said that it is going to hurt her new teeth as they grow in because they’ll grow out, and she won’t be able to bite down straight. EEK! Dr. “Vee” looked her straight in the eye and shared this with her as Tatum started to slightly blubber. Dr. Vee said she would give her a prize if in 6-months she’s finger lickin’ free.

This brought on the ideas….I told her I’d give her until Friday to decide what would be a new toy she’d like to have if she could stop.

We conversed about it in the car… (note the “coffee” cup. It’s an empty cup of nothing. A mommy-alike gaff)


Then she showed me her pretend binky.

Well, maybe. Then maybe if she could just try putting baby to her nose and putting her knuckles at her lips. She was successful ALL DAY.

Tonight? We shall see. Quitting this habit is going to be good lesson for her.

She can do it a little at a time everyday.

Stay tuned….