Snuggle Guys

When Madeleine turned two, a neighbor gave her a small grey and white stuffed dog which she immediately named Scruffy. Scruffy is also the name of this neighbor's real dog who Madeleine adored and who we would periodically walk. Before receiving Scruffy, Madeleine wasn't very interested in any stuffed animals. I don't remember that she really played with them at all and certainly didn't have any favorites. But for Madeleine, Scruffy, both real and pretend, meant love at first sight. Four years later, Scruffy still sleeps with Madeleine every night and is the toy that Michael and I fear losing most.

Josephine, on the other hand, began cuddling stuff animals and soft dolls before she could walk. Last spring, our friends Chuck and Kim visited and gave both girls gifts. Josephine got a new spring outfit, and Madeleine received a small stuffed monkey. Madeleine liked the monkey a lot, but for Josephine this time, it was love at first sight. In the beginning, Madeleine would let Josephine hold the monkey but Josephine quickly took him over. For several weeks during our drive to school, Madeleine would periodically glance at Josephine clutching the monkey and remark "You know, that's MY monkey." Whether Josephine understood at that point or not is unclear, what was clear is that Madeleine had lost control of the monkey.

Trying to defuse the situation, I bought Madeleine a sweet tiger to replace the monkey...as well as a second monkey. After living with the fear of losing Scruffy, Michael and I wanted a backup. While we try to keep the two monkeys apart - one is generally 'school monkey' who makes the commute and provides naptime cuddling while the other remains home to guard Josie's crib. The monkeys do occasionally cross paths and despite our fears, this has not disturbed or seemingly even registered with Josephine. She loves them both, and also has affection to spare for a few other select favorites (Lamb and Pink Teddy, namely).