Documentation

This never happens. So I must document it. For posterity's sake.

Blake and Blanket's relationship is still going strong.

"It" is now officially a "he".
As in "Mom. Where is blanket? Oh, wait HE is outside on the swing."
Or " Look mom I found HIM."

Maybe I could convince Blake to call "him" a "her". It might be the only "HER" we ever have around here.


If you haven't been introduced to Blanket, read here or here.

Lost and Found

Blake has been very grumpy the last few weeks. I compare him to a menopausal woman (no offense to actual menopausal women). He is moody and emotional. I never know how he will respond to anything. He is sleeping terribly. Not sure about hot flashes, but I wouldn't be surprised. The last week has been almost unbearable. Can I get an AMEN from anyone that has seen him lately. This is the look I have grown accustomed to-

Then last night, after dinner, we had a breakthrough. Blake was jumping up and down and laughing. This is what we saw -

Blanket has been missing for almost a week. If you haven't been formally introduced to Blanket, see here. I had the substitute blankets and thought Blake was fine. He never actually said anything about missing Blanket, but obviously it was very upsetting. I think he was in mourning over his good buddy.

Blake hasn't let go of Blanket since he found him (Eli actually found him under the couch). He ate ice cream with him, brushed his teeth with him and switched him between hands to put on jammies. He woke up crying last night, because he couldn't feel Blanket by him.

I almost have my happy little boy back. He still has something hormonal going on - or something 2 1/2 year old going on, whatever. But he is soooo much happier. So am I.

Blanket, I love you. We all missed you. I will never mock or disapprove again. You make my little boy happy. Please don't go away for this long again. I don't think I can take it.

Blanket - My Friend, My Enemy

Blake has a friend.
His name is Blanket.
Blanket is a person, not an object.
Blanket is the fifth member of our family.

Blake and Blanket began their friendship over a year and a half ago. They have had good times and bad times. Sad and happy times. And many, many sleepy times. I decided I needed to get a backup in case something happened to Blanket. I have not been able to find another Blanket anywhere. I have looked far and wide. I have had people look in Washington and Indiana, with no success.

Blake was doing well for a while and wasn't quite so dependent on his friend. I thought maybe he would finally branch out and make new friends. He stopped taking it to church and carrying it with him all day. We were all very excited - and then preschool happened. Not for Blake but his big and wise older brother that he is lost without. When Eli went back to school Blanket came out with a vengence never seen before. I knew it was bad when Blakey snuck Blanket into his church bag and insisted on bringing him to gymnastics - are you kidding me! I worry about the peer pressure that Blanket puts on my sweet little guy. He is like a drug that Blake cannot live without. He is dirty and smelly and does not bathe often enough.

On Tuesday, I lost Blanket. I was a master at distraction and kept Blakey's attention on other things. That night we made a trip to Target to pick out a new Blanket. I figured the real Blanket would turn up eventually, but that it was time to broaden Blake's horizons and introduce him to the world of fleece, silk, flannel and cotton. He happily picked out a new Blanket (the exact same as his original, just in a different color). I thought we were set, that now he would be OK with this new blanket and move on. Or at least give me a chance to wash Blanket more often. We got home at 11:30 that night and I loaded the kids in the house - Ben was out of town. I was walking in the garage and something caught my eye. Something familiar and blue. It was Blanket folded on my front porch waiting for his best friend to come home. This is where I realize how sad the situation is. Someone in the neighborhood (I still don't know who) recognized this as Blake's Blanket and knew to leave it on the porch for him - that he would need it when he got home.

I figured we were in good shape with two blankets he loved - finally a backup he would accept. Oh was I wrong. I have created a Blanket Monster. He now has two blankets that he wants to take everywhere. I did some major negotiating to convince him to only bring one in the grocery store today. When it is down to the wire and he is forced to make a decision, it is always the real Blanket he wants. I guess I should admire his loyalty, but Blanket is giving me an ulcer.

I guess Blakey will only be 2 years old once, right?!

Blake and Blanket playing Mario Kart

Beckett, Blakey and Blanket

Blakey and Blanket taking a nap

Eli, Blake and Blanket eating breakfast

Blake and his two friends