For the love of Pinky

When Daniel was born, someone bought him this stuffed dog:

It’s an “asthma-friendly” stuffed puppy dog and it’s the softest, snuggliest little guy ever.  My husband has asthma, so I was excited to see that a company actually makes asthma-friendly stuffed animals.  Please note that Daniel has many other types of stuffed animals.  Many he received during our baby shower and plenty that we bought him ourselves.   I was just trying to encourage Daniel to snuggle with this special dog during his naps and bedtime, so he would have an asthma-friendly piece of cotton stuffed against his face and body opposed to something that was asthma “unfriendly.” (Ahem.)  Better to be safe, than sorry.  Well, it worked and Daniel still sleeps with “Puppy Dog” today. 

So when Annabel was born, we bought her this:

The same asthma-friendly puppy dog, but in PINK.  We call it “Pinky.”  Annabel is 16 months old, so she only says a few words here and there, but she does say “Pinky.”  Actually, it sounds more like “Inky,” but it works.  I understand her.  What makes Pinky different from Daniel’s Puppy Dog is that Annabel is OBSESSED with Pinky.  Daniel just sleeps with Puppy Dog. Once Daniel is up and out of his bed, that is the end of Puppy Dog for the day.  “See ya next time Puppy Dog.” 

But Annabel is quite different.

Pinky started out as Annabel’s nap and bedtime stuffed animal.  But then she started reaching for Pinky when she was on the changing table.  Pinky kept her quiet and STILL when I had to change her diaper, so that was no problem.  And then Annabel had to have Pinky in the car seat with her during our long vacation road trip.  Fine.  But now things are gaining momentum.

Annabel has begun to SCREAM for Pinky if we leave the bedroom and it’s still in her crib.  Just two weeks ago, Annabel could sit and play with her toys in the living room, but now she has to have Pinky clutched in one arm.  She’s just learned to walk on her own and she has to have Pinky in one hand while she teeter totters around the house. 

(I guess I should be glad she’s holding onto something soft in case she feels the need to slam her head against the coffee table or wall.)

Today, a new habit has emerged.  Pinky had to join her for lunch!  Ugh.  As soon as I put Annabel in her high chair, she screamed for Pinky.  I was holding my ground and just handing her milk and goldfish crackers, but the screaming just got worse and worse.  So I ended up feeding Annabel her chicken soup, yogurt and applesauce while she hugged Pinky against her chest. (And yes, Pinky now has to take another “bath” to wash that broth and pink goop off her fur.)

I’m not trying to be “Mean Mommy” and not let my sweet daughter have a “lovey,” but there is another issue with Pinky.  Annabel puts her thumb in her mouth when she holds Pinky.  Not all of the time, but I notice it right before she goes down for naps or down for the night.  She clasps Pinky in her arms and shoves her thumb in her mouth.  When I check on her an hour later when she is sound sleep, the thumb is out of the mouth, so that makes me happy.  But sometimes when she has Pinky during the day now, and she’s playing, I slowly see her try and creep that thumb in her mouth.

I managed to avoid any pacifier addictions with both Daniel and Annabel. Which was thrilling!  But now I might have to deal with a thumb AND Pinky addiction at the same time.

Leave it to my adorable little girl to shake things up.

Hot, Hot, Hot…

…and getting HOTTER.

The months of June, July, and August are BRUTAL in Florida.  We are all relegated to our lovely air conditioned homes.  (Although today, I was desperately pleading with my AC unit to PLEASE move down below 79.  PRETTY please??)  I equate this weather we are experiencing to a northern snow storm.  I’m just forced to be creative with indoor activities.   “Creative” is not my strong suit, so I usually just end up spreading bins of toys into different play areas in the house.   I can give Daniel and Annabel the “illusion” that we are in some super cool indoor play zone.  This usually doesn’t last very long, so I’m so thankful for the following: Our public library, Gymboree, the indoor shopping mall, Barnes & Noble and its train table, and the POOL.  The only time we can all hang outdoors is if we are immersed in some sort of water and slathered with SPF 50 (if there was an SPF 100, I would use it.)  It’s even too hot to hang in the shade.  We bought the kids a water table, but that lasted five minutes.

At least “Beez” uses it.

Letter To My Dog

Dear Beez,

I remember when your name was “Steve.”  That was before Daniel and Annabel decided your name would now be “Beez.”  Sorry about that.  You’ve taken it very well and I appreciate you answering to BOTH names now.

I remember when you were our only “child.”  I remember picking you up and bringing you home and sleeping by your crate all night long because you were scared.  I remember being so nervous and anxious to go to work and leave you home alone all day.  I kept wondering what you were doing and what piece of furniture you were scratching up.

I remember buying you little scarves, T-shirts and fleece jackets.  We even custom ordered you a Redskins jersey with your name on it.  I remember going to PetSmart to get you a photo with Santa.  We framed it and hung it on the Christmas tree.

I remember taking you to puppy school and obedience classes.  Mark would take you to the dog park or the lake almost every day.  We spent a day running and playing at Great Falls.  We would take you for car rides so you could hang your head out of the window and enjoy the wind.

When we went out of town for the weekend, we would be sure you were in a five star “pet resort.”  We would look at the doggie cam every hour to make sure you were okay.  We would all sing in the car when we picked you up.

I remember buying you special homemade dog treats and celebrating your birthday each year.

Then we had actual children.

Now there are days I forget you are here. 

There are days I wish you weren’t here because you jump on Annabel or you try to grab Daniel’s lunch. 

We don’t buy you special treats.  Sometimes I don’t remember to fill your food bowl in the morning until you circle around my feet. 

You don’t have any new clothes or new toys.  You’ve had the same ball for a couple years now.  And you seem fine with it.

The lakes and dog parks have been replaced with quick ball throws in the backyard after dinner so you can get some exercise and not drive us crazy. 

Most days I put you in the bedroom so I can play with the kids.   You used to be “top of the heap.”  Now you are the lowest rung on the family ladder.

But at the end of the day, there you are. Fast asleep on the chenille blanket at the end of our king bed.  And if you weren’t there, I would miss you.

You’re a good dog Beez.  And I don’t say it enough. 

Love,

Your Mama