Matthew's Build a Bear

Since Matthew was small he has sucked on his first two fingers on his left hand.  We've been advised not to make too big a deal of it and were hoping that he would stop on his own, but now that he's a little  older we had started to consider positive incentives for him to stop.  A while ago Scott offered that Matthew could get a build a bear if he stopped sucking on his fingers.  It didn't really take and we didn't push it.

About a month and a half ago Matthew had a dentist appointment in which he overheard the dentist telling me that Matthew would probably need braces, not even because of the finger sucking but because he has a big overbite.  Matthew assumed it was because of the finger sucking and immediately resolved that he was going to stop so his teeth would get straight again and he wouldn't have to have braces.  I felt kind of bad, but I do want him to stop.  I told him his teeth might still need braces but not for a long time til he was big.  But he still wanted to stop sucking on his fingers and he hasn't done it since.  For a while he was biting and sucking on all the collars of his shirts, but he's pretty much stopped that too.  Now he tells us he thinks his fingers are dirty and gross but he used to think they were delicious.  I was happy to hear that.  I asked him if it was because of all the digging in the dirt he's been doing.  He said he did "gardening" not digging in the dirt.  We must make that distinction.  

In any case, it's been about six weeks with no finger sucking so Scott and I decided it was time he could earn his build a bear so we finally went and got it.  Matthew was bouncing off the walls he was so excited!  Here he is after choosing his bear.

 He had a lot of fun stuffing it and putting in the heart.

And fluffing up his bear at the fluffing station.  We had to wait in line to fluff behind a birthday party, but eventually got in there.

Matthew picked some Army clothes for the bear.  Here he is getting ready to put the clothes on.  Anna helped him patiently.  I was afraid there would be a meltdown since she was not getting a bear but she was surprisingly good natured about it.  She knew Matthew had earned this special treat.  A build a bear has been offered up to her for other things, but she hasn't quite earned it yet.  We'll see how that goes. 

And here is his bear all dressed.  He decided to name his bear "Oso" after Special Agent Oso a cartoon bear on TV.  Oso is also Spanish for 'bear."  The Build a Bear workers knew immediately about Special Agent Oso.  We decided if Oso is a special agent he might have had to have some military experience.  :)  Anyway, congratulations Matthew for growing a little bigger and more grown up and earning your special reward!  And welcome to the family Oso!