When I gave birth to my little guy I knew he would be a “binkie” baby. How did I know this? Because, I have absolutely no problem with a little bit of ‘forced’ attachment. From the get-go, I stuck that plug in Jack’s mouth at the first sign of trouble. He’d barely manage to squeak out a “Wa-” before that artificial nipple snuffed it out. And, fortunately, my persistance won out because I managed to turn my child into a full-on addict. Sure, I felt a little bit of guilt at being his “pusher” but mealtimes at the local Mexican restaurant were much more peaceful for everyone.
But, really the joke was on me. Unbeknownst to me, while that binkie was still firmly placed in his mouth, he was also forming an attachment to an entirely different inanimate object as if he knew the binkie would be short-lived and was preparing a replacement vice. One in which I really had no vested interest at all.
His blanket.
I had been putting Jack to bed with this particular blanket because it was, quite frankly, a sweet little white cable-knit and it matched his room. That was it. And little did I know that he was cuddling up to this little blanket, building a relationship that would become first and foremost the most important part of his little life.
This blanket would one day be dubbed “Baby” and would be as present in his company as a box of Cheezits are in mine. (I’m not proud of that but thought it would put things into perspective.)
Cute, yes (the blanket, not the Cheezits, obviously). But I’d be remiss if I left out one important fact…”Baby” has not aged very well. What was once a gleaming white cotton has now evolved into a dingy gray. Her tight cable-knit now a much looser version of her former self (I can so relate with this.) Granted, she’s been through some trials and tribulations. She’s wiped many a snotty nose, soaked up remnants of dinner on dirty little hands and has been drug through the house at times carrying an 8-pound shih-tzu on her back. Yes, “Baby” has seen better days. But with the love of a hopelessly devoted romantic, Jack doesn’t notice. She’s still as beautiful to him now as she was the day they met.
Much like a lover nuzzles his beloved’s neck, Jack sniffs his “Baby” with as much unabandon. And here’s the thing about that…”Baby” has taken on a bit of a smell over the years. Again, Jack doesn’t notice.
“Baby” lulls Jack to sleep and eases his anxiety. She comforts him when he’s ill and stays by his side until he’s well. And thank goodness for that.
Jack has been sick for the past few days and has been as-of-late hunkered down in our bedroom watching Spongebob Squarepants, his “Baby” placed under his arm like a pair of sweethearts at a drive-in movie.
I checked on him periodically to make sure that he was still, in fact, sick and hadn’t decided to take an ample opportunity to pillage my bathroom cabinets. ( Need a reminder of that fiasco? Here.) Most of the time he was laying down, looking at the TV with that Spongebob Squarepants-induced open-mouthed stare.
On one of my rounds I walked into the bedroom expecting to find Jack in his familiar position staring at the television and was surprised to find him gazing lovingly at “Baby” and whispering what sounded to be “sweet nothings” in her ear.
“You know what, Baby? I wuv you. I do. You know how much?”
Baby looked at him expectantly.
“I wuv you very much. My favorite Baby.”
Awww…Baby is happy.
“And guess what, Baby? You don’t stink. I fink you smell real good.” And then Jack proceeded to dive in for what must have been the 472nd sniff of the day.
What I witnessed here folks was an intimate moment between Jack and his First Love. I should have guessed that his relationship with “Baby” would lead up to this moment but I don’t think a mother is ever truly ready to accept that she has some worthy competition. It’s obvious that Jack prefers the bedraggled look and slightly funky smell and I am just too clean and Dove fresh for his taste.
Do I begrudge Jack his “special” relationship? Nah. That blanket has worked wonders at easing a fit and lulling an active child to sleep. But, do I worry about that inevitable day when “Baby” goes missing and Jack loses the love of his life? God, yes.
Happy Monday,
Mindy
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Brandy
Tell Jack when he’s done with his baby – can I have it? I could use some comforting from time to time!
Hows about I buy you your very own blankie? I’d be too ashamed to let this one leave the house. =)
Mindy
Everybody loves a soft blankie. My kids were never attached to anything. My friend forced her son to attach to a stuffed animal, and she ended up having to buy backup replacesments on EBay at $80 a pop…and then her daughter came along and developed the same kind of attachment! BTW, I made your blueberry cake yesterday, and it was a great hit!
Oh, good Lord. Your friend’s situation would be horrible. (Although, I have to admit I did research replacement blankets and learned they have been discontinued…so, we’re screwed.) Glad you liked the cake! =)
Mindy
My sister had a “blankie”. A bright yellow one with yellow binding. She took it everywhere. We washed it frequently. And as it unraveled, we would cut out the torn parts and I would resew the binding. Know where “blankie” is today? The llx12 inch square that is left resides on my sister’s bed. Yep. She is 33 and still sleeps with “blankie”.
Could be Jack’s love is life long. But “baby” will need some work done over the years…lol.
♥Spot
That’s a great idea. The only problem with this blanket is I’m pretty sure it would spontaneously combust or dissolve into ashes if I tried to cut it up. =)
Mindy
Benjamin has a stuffed cat he’s always been attached to. I’m slowly introducing new ones, so that when one goes, it won’t be so bad. We’ll see how well that works out.
Good plan! Trust me on that one! =)
Mindy
All three of my kids had blankets (we call them nannies) and you’ve written beautifully about this special relationship. Don’t you hate it when they he throws up on Baby in the middle of the night and you have to wash it and Jack won’t go back to sleep without it?
Yep, I’ve scrubbed “Baby” many a times in the middle of the night to soothe a ‘yakking’ Jack. But, you’re right. it is truly a special relationship. =)
Mindy
Oh Mindy! I’ll tell you a story. All three of my kids have blankets, yes I say have because they all still use them! Destanee(20) can’t sleep without it, Josh has put a time frame on when she has to go without it, age 21 yes that Aug. 22nd and I can her gurantee you she is counting the days that she has to give her beloved friend up. Josh HATES her blanket and has put his foot down! Hunter still uses his every night. But can go without it to spend the night at friends and soforth, but I’m not going to say that he has to give it up I think it is up to him to decide when the time is right.Aubree still has hers but doesn’t use it but has it put away for safe keeping. So you see the blanket is a VERY special thing! xoxo~Val
That’s so cute! I think you’ve told me that before about Hunter but I didn’t realize the other two kept theirs too. Poor Destanee…what’s that girl gonna do? She’ll probably go through some withdrawals or something…Josh’ll have to buy her a replacement somethin’-somethin’. =)
Mindy
Yup- I feel your, um, emotions, to the T. Mcclellan has Blue Blanks, which has spent about 79% of its life firmly clenched between Mcclellan’s teeth, being gently sucked on. And the smelliness? I fully understand. 3 years of mouth-smell infused into a beautiful handknit blanket? A little incongruous. Or not, if you’re that 3-year-old…
Yep, Jack only smells ‘roses’ when he sniffs his baby. I’m pretty sure he’s in denial. =)
Mindy
Its funny, kids have the binkie’s and blankie’s. We have all sorts of security things when we are adults. Most of which arent good for us. The kids have the right idea.
I’m thinking if I had a blankie or binkie I might stay out of the Cheezits. Might have to take that up. =)
Mindy
Awwwwwwwwww.
I had a blanket when I was a kid too. My mom said I was so attached to it, I would stand in front of the washer the whole time it was washing, staring at the washer and waiting. Then I’d stand in front of the dryer waiting. She’d have to pull me away.
That’s exactly what Jack does. His eyes have to be on that “Baby” at all times…through the entire wash and spin cycle. It’s even harder on sunny days when its line drying outside. He has a hard time keeping his hands off of it. =)
Mindy
My youngest son is severely attached to all things able to:
1.) Go in his nose
2.) Touch his eyeballs
3.) Go in his ear
But that’s okay. Makes my life so much easier
Ain’t it the truth! It’s a small price to pay for a few moments of peace. =)
Mindy
You had me at cable-knit….sniff.
How cute! I also forced a binkie (we called it a passy) on Matthew. But he was a colicky baby for a couple of months, so it really did help to soothe him. He was never one for a blanket though. Still can’t stand them! My sister, however, snuggled hers for many years. I think one year it was left for Santa?
How sweet is that, the greast love story ever. A love that last through binkie’s old age.
We went through that with my brother, but his was a stuffed animal. I was sewn up so many times, it didn’t resemble a rabbit anymore. He could have cared less what it looked like, he loved it.