Sweet Baby

When Banany was born, my mom gave her a dolly (Well, two actually...in case one needed to go into the wash or, heaven forbid, got lost). We started putting the doll in her crib so she'd get used to seeing her and, sure enough, she quickly became attached. When she began talking, she named her "Baby."

Along with the security of always having her baby nearby, Banany also became a thumbsucker, pretty much within a few days of birth. Recently, the dentist and pediatrician encouraged us to start working on the long process of breaking the habit. Banany suggested that she'd stop when she turned 5...which was a couple of months ago. Not surprisingly, we knew she wouldn't drop it cold turkey so we're trying to work on it together.

The twist is that when she sucks her thumb, she has to flip her baby's hand. She can have her baby without sucking her thumb, but cannot suck her thumb without her baby. The last few days, she's been willing to leave her baby in another room during times when she might normally suck her thumb. I think she does kind of want to quit, knowing that would really make her a big girl and I'm really proud of her...there hasn't been one tear or complaint.

But it suddenly occurred to me that, once we've kicked this habit, the baby would not play the important role that she has for the last 5 years. With the exception of one horrible outing, we literally have never gone anywhere without her. She rarely leaves Banany's side and has been her primary source of comfort.

I'm actually sad about this...it means my baby is growing up.

Banany with her sparkly new baby!

"The Sauce" as Banany calls it.

She was actually excited to have us "paint it on" her thumb.

Isn't she sweet?

The hand that has been flipped for numerous hours over the last 5 years.

Both babies have identical manged hands!

She's perfectly soft, and importantly, washable.

A forever friend.