Forming an attachment to a lovey is common in “toddlerdom.” Corbin and Lynley have been sleeping with a little stuffed animal or security blanket since they learned how to roll over and stopped wanting pacifiers. During the last few months, Lynley has shown favoritism to one special lovey, but not before testing out quite a few!

First, there was this little, yellow lion that came with their baby activity gym. Lynley loved this doll more than the others when she and Corbin played on the mat. She also really liked a little, pink doll that we got her for her first Valentine’s Day in 2013. Last fall, she starting becoming attached to lion and Penny, as we called the dolls. For months, they all seemed to be inseparable. I loved the thought of Lynley growing bigger and bigger with something she played with when she was the smallest. But, lion and Penny got boring, and she was off to many other loveys.

At Christmas time, she was gifted several baby dolls, but Lynley still preferred her stuffed animals, a Tigger doll at this point in time. After trying to introduce a few different teddy bears to her, one being Derrick’s childhood bear, she finally settled on one. A soft , white bear with a plaid bow is her favorite, and I am just in love with their relationship.

Clarice, is Bear’s official name. She is a Ty Beanie Bear, and she was given to me on April 1, 2008 by my loving husband. Derrick and I would have been celebrating our four month dating anniversary on that day, but he was overseas at a trade show, while I was working at a news station in Tyler, Texas. I expected nothing more than a phone call at an odd hour of the day. But to my surprise, a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a cute stuffed bear came for me that day. This unexpected gift also came with a sweet note, “My beautiful girl, the more I know you, the more I love you.” I will never forget the feeling I had when I read that note. At that moment, I knew that Derrick would be my husband and the father of my children. I now whisper those sweet words to my lovely Lynley.

Her Gee, Gee (Jeep) will always be her number one lovey!

Bear has been on quite some adventures with Lynley, the most recent being a trip to Nanner and Gramps (my parents) house. During our visit, my mom, sister, granny and I took a trip to Hobby Lobby. The babies and Bear came with us. Lynley held onto Bear on and off, and she rode with Lynley in the shopping cart. But after several incidents of being thrown on the floor, Bear decided she would rather ride in the back! At some point, Lynley must have gotten hold of Bear again and dropped her because when we reached the checkout, I noticed she was missing!

I think I was more sad than Lynley. We searched the store and had no luck finding Bear, so I bought Lynley an adorable patchwork stuffed lamb. She was somewhat interested in it, but it was definitely not the same. I left my name and information with the store manager; and wouldn’t you know, almost as soon as we got back to Nanner’s house, we got a call about Bear! She had been found on a bottom shelf in the back of the store. We were ecstatic! But since, we were already home, 30 minutes away, we sent in some superheroes. My wonderful stepdad and brother dropped by Hobby Lobby on their way home from work and rescued Bear!

Here’s Lynley, Gramps and Bear at lunch the next day. I hope Lynley and Bear remain best friends for many, many months and years to come.

P.S. Corbin has an attachment to a pink monkey, but that’s another post!

Do your child have a lovey? What is your most memorable moment of their relationship?