The Chupa has left the building.

On Saturday, Dante officially "ha dejado la chupa," or gave up his pacifier for good. His parents planned it for a while, but now they think he's too old to have it.

They took him to his cousin's house, who is an infant, and told Dante that they would give his little cousin all his chupas, since he is younger and needs them more. Dante was very mature about it and said it was okay, a bit proud to pass something down to him.

Of course, Rocio and Carlos gave Dante a Spongebob Squarepants stuffed animal (or, as they call him over here "Bob Esponja") to cushion the fall a bit. He cried a lot when he would need to go to bed, take a bath, or leave the house, but so far the transition has been okay. Bob Esponja has been lending his shoulder to Dante for some support in these rough times.