The Saga of Elaina's 'Lovey"

Elaina has a 'Baby' that she has had since she was a few months old. From about the ages 9 months on she was very attached to said 'Baby.' She took Baby everywhere.....

 Baby even made a trip or two to Portugal. She got to visit Grandma and Grandpa Voelker. She also made a trip to California and Arizona. On that trip, she got chocolate milk all over her and had to be bleached. After Baby was lost in Walmart and other stores a few times (we always found her)....she was asked to stay home because mommy did not enjoy the crying at bedtime when Baby could not be located.

She got several rips and had to be sewn into some pajamas for protection. (Elaina used to stick her hand inside baby to sleep)

At a certain point, she was almost beyond use. Elaina was forced to pick a new 'lovey' so she wouldn't have to throw away a Baby that was in shreds. (Rest assured we still have Baby to this day...you were worried right?)  So...Elaina briefly picked this bunny...but being as she found it at a firehouse egg hunt (see above picture)...it was not made to last.

Enter...'Lamby'...a stuffed lamb that became the 'lovey.' Lamby got to accompany Elaina on a trip to London to meet Uncle Tobias, Aunt Angela, Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Charity...you can barely see her in the bottom picture. (just her ear)...but alas...lamby started to leak little styrofoam beads.

Enter....Cotton Candy....a stuffed dog who at one time was bright pink. As you can see in the picture at left...she is now a bit dingy, and so are her clothes...but as of yet, no holes.           

However, Elaina has begun training a replacement. She informed me yesterday that when Cotton Candy wears out, Oreo will be her 'favorite stuffed animal.'   So...three generations of 'loveys' are pictures here (two, unfortunately, were beyond keeping: )

Mother's Note: I love how Elaina truly loves with her whole little heart, whether it be her 'lovey', her family or her friends. She is such a loyal and loving little girl. I plan to tuck Baby away some day in a box of Elaina's childhood treasures...however...for now, baby lives atop a shelf in Elaina's room where she can observe her 'mommy' and Elaina still gets her down now and again to cuddle. Cotton candy still sleeps with Elaina every night and right now she has a broken arm because a shopping cart ran over it. Her arm/paw is in a sling, which is made of a tye-dye handkerchief. I love Elaina's imagination.  I'll leave you with a picture (of course: )