Baby

This is Baby.

Baby has been Ashley's "woobie" since she's was about 7 months old.  I remember it specifically. Paul and I got it for her as part of her Easter Basket for her first Easter.  It was small enough to put into her crib knowing that it would be safe to stay with her all night.

I know that by looking at Baby, you might be asking "What is Baby anyway?"  Well, my friends, Baby was a lamb.  After lots of Ashley love, in addition to Tater and Kitty making a snack out of Baby on more than one occasion, Baby lost both of her ears. So she is kind of an ear-less animal of some sort at this point.  Needless to say, that did NOT bother Ashley in the least because Baby lost both of her ears A LONG time ago.  Tater and Kitty have tried multiple times since then to chew on Baby which has given me many chances to brush up on my sewing skills (which aren't very good AT ALL).

Before

After

Baby would go to Judi's (daycare), watch TV with Ashley in the living room, been packed in diaper bags, traveled on airplanes and has even been lost. Like really lost. We took Baby with us to Ashley's ophthalmologist appointment when she was about two years old.  We knew that Baby would comfort her while at the appointment.  We waited a very long time to see the doctor so by the time we were finished, we booked it out of there as fast as we could. Once we got home I hadn't even thought of Baby and neither had Ashley until it was time for bed. Then here I am searching ALL OVER the place - in the car, under the seats, in the trunk, tore through the diaper bag, in the dogs mouths...you name it, I looked. No Baby.  So I finally thought it must still be at the eye doctor. By this time, they had already closed up shop. So we had our first night without Baby. She didn't sleep much and neither did I.  I kept wondering if it dropped out of the car and in the parking lot, and some kid saw it and took it and that was the end of Baby. My heart just sank. So as soon as the office opened the following morning, you bet I was right there ready to comb the office looking for it.  After the office workers said that they didn't see it, I just took it upon myself to search the place. I finally found Baby inside a little mailbox toy that was in the waiting room. THANK GOD! Needless to say, we learned our lesson never to bring Baby with is outside of the car. Or even better, outside of the house.  It was hard, but we have stuck pretty hard to this rule even to this day. Poor Baby lost out of the airplane rides to New Jersey, but at least we know that she is safe and sound at home. 

Ashley still sleeps with Baby but it's not a "thing" like it used to be where we'd have to search the house looking for Baby before bedtime. It was crazy...Ashley had a photographic memory of where Baby was most nights. We'd ask "Where is Baby?" and she would respond "On the end table by the couch" or "inside the microwave of my play kitchen". On a sidebar...Ashley does this with most things...it's kind of crazy! :).

Baby doesn't really leave her bed much now at all. She just sits there waiting for Ashley to come back each night. Baby may not be curled up in her hands like she once had been, but she is still there. I find myself searching for Baby after Ashley has fallen asleep, and tucking her right under Ashley's arm. I don't know if  it's because I feel bad for Baby getting "cold" at the other side of the bed, or that it's just me feeling sad that Ashley is growing and doesn't' necessarily need Baby to fall asleep each night.  I can almost guarantee it's the latter...

UPDATE: I forgot to note that "Baby" was also Ashley's very first word. :) Baby is very special.