Officially Off the Bottle!

I just want to take a few moments to document this milestone! I've been thinking for a while that we need to do this, but when we've tried giving Carter his milk in a cup in the past, he was having NONE of that. So, when we decided to give it another try this week, I really wasn't sure what to expect. Here's how it went down.

Wednesday Night - On a whim, I decided to fix his night time bottle for him in a cup with a straw. Lately, he's been loving his straw cup, so I thought he'd definitely go for it. I even heated it up for him! He took a few sips, and immediately spit it right out all over his freshly bathed bare chest. Nice. Then, a fit ensues. Soooo, I thought, okay, we'll try the old "trainer" cup with a spout. By the time I get up, fix it, and get it back to him, he is basically hyperventilating and throwing a huge fit for his bottle. We tried the second cup, and believe it or not, the fit gets worse. There was no pulling the wool over his eyes. He knew exactly what was different and he new what he wanted.... his BOTTLE. So I threw in the towel and went and fixed him a bottle. When I came walking back over to him with it in hand, he sees it, and literally goes from an all out, red face bawl to a straight up laugh, and says "bah bah!" Yes, he got exactly what he wanted. He went on and had his bottle and went to bed without another peep all night.
Carter 1, Mommy & Daddy 0.

Thursday Morning - I had a bottle prepared and waiting in the fridge, just in case. BUT, I fully intended on starting over with the cup of milk. I gave it to him, he sat in his chair, watched Handy Manny, and took his milk. Just. Like. That. Are you freaking kidding me? Did I just dream up the monstrous and dramatic fit he pitched last night over his bottle? And today, NOTHING??? Okay... we'll see how this afternoon goes.

I couldn't believe it, I HAD to take a picture for proof

incase it never happened again! HA!
Thursday Afternoon - I knew he was getting tired because little things were setting him off and turning into fits. So I halfway considered not fighting with him, and just giving him his bottle before putting him down for nap. But then I thought, nope, we've got to do this. So, fixed his cup of milk, and he sat in my lap and took it out of the straw with very little complaining. He was VERY fussy at this point, but he was doing just fine. Until the milk ran out too soon. So, another fit ensues. The bottle from earlier in the morning was still in the fridge, so I grabbed it quickly to keep him from throwing a tantrum. He took about an ounce out of that bottle before he decided he was full. Then, off to bed for a nap. Not as good as this morning, but still took the majority of his milk from a cup!

Thursday Evening - I really did not know what to expect at all. I figured he could go either way. First of all, our evening was a little weird because Daddy wasn't home. Daddy always gives Carter his bath, bottle, and puts him to bed. So, with me doing all that instead, I thought it may throw him off. Luckily none of that seemed to matter. He decided the cup was just fine, and he sat in my lap and had his milk. He sucked it all right up, and then looked at me and said, "Dee Dee?" (Night-Night?) He was ready, and went right to bed! Today's score: Carter .5, Mommy 2.5

Friday Morning - Took his milk from his cup like a champ!!

Friday Afternoon - He did take the milk from his cup, but he didn't seem too happy about it. I think he was just needing a nap more than anything.

Friday Evening - Another successful run with the cup. But more importantly, we made it through the entire day without it, and today was the first day of your life with NO bottle AT ALL!! YAY Carter!! I'm very proud of you, little buddy.

Hopefully the trend continues. If so, I think I know what my chore for Sunday will be.... sterilize and pack up all of our bottles for good! I'm sad to see them go, but I'm happy to not have to wash bottles anymore!