Lovey

Long before Phaeton and I were planning our own children, our friends and family members were basking in the love and joy of parenthood. For years, every time someone we knew had a baby, we had our staple gift that we'd give: a Ty Pluffie stuffed animal (with sewn eyes, not button) and a board book. Both Phaeton and I worked for Barnes and Noble at the time, and both of these items were always plentiful in stock. Parents would report to us how much Baby loved cuddling with the Pluffie's soft fur. Our nephew, Ashton's animal was a Dalmatian dog named Dot who quickly became his "lovey". My sister Amy, and her husband Pat, stocked up for the years to come to ensure there would always be a clean Dot around.

Our nephew, Ashton at 14 months old, fast asleep with Dot.

When we found out we were expecting, we knew we needed to find an animal for our baby to fall in love with. Phaeton was still working for Barnes, so I made him promise he'd buy at least 3 of my favorite giraffe Pluffies, to hopefully become our baby's lovey. We'd keep one at daycare, one at home, and one in case of emergencies. There was one problem: Barnes and Noble recently stopped carrying Ty Pluffie toys. So I got online, made a ton of phone calls and found the local Motherhood Maternity had one more giraffe in stock. I figured that'd at least hold us over until Adeleigh arrived. I made them hold it for me and rushed over to buy it. My excitement quickly turned to sadness when I discovered that the one and only giraffe had button eyes. Worried of the choking hazard, I begged the sales lady to order me a giraffe with the sewn-on eyes. She probably thought I was nuts, but checked anyway and found Pluffies no longer available to order. What was on the sales floor was the last of the product they would carry - for - ev - er. I stood there for about 10 minutes looking down at the giraffe, his button eyes watching the lone tear that ran down my cheek, while Michael Bolton's "How am I supposed to live without you" played overhead. Then, I placed him back among his zoo Pluffie friends. Bye, bye forever Giraffe. I hope you find a happy home where the children won't choke on your eyes.

I was on a mission. Now on to Plan C. I got back online and after hours and hours of searching, found out that Ty stopped making Pluffies with sewn-on eyes. I found a lady on eBay who had stocked up on these Pluffies and had four giraffes left in stock. Smart lady she was. It's funny how when someone stops making something, it instantly costs three times the original price tag to purchase. My original $7.99 obsession became a $20 inconvenience. I sat in front of the computer, switching the Quantity back and forth between one and three...one, no three. No, Phaeton will flip if I spend $60 on three of the same stuffed animal. But what if we buy one, it gets dirty, and we have to endure 45 minutes of uncontrollable screaming while it's in the washing machine? Three. But what if she doesn't even consider it her lovey, then I will have wasted 60 precious dollars on a dumb toy?

I bought one. Then I found an online retailer with the button-eyed Pluffies for $4 each. I figured if we have a meltdown while Thread Eyes is bathing, Button Eyes will hold us over in the short run. So, I bought two, just in case. After inspecting them, I realized the button eyes aren't going anywhere. I think they are quadruple-sewn in. So, my choking hazard neurosis was completely unwarranted and not necessary. Then, with the help of Shay, I named them all Raffee. Adeleigh was going to appreciate the headache Raffee inflicted on Mommy because of how awesome, and soft, and not a choking hazard Raffee was! I had it all planned out.

Its funny how no matter what possibilities you plan and prepare for; you never really know what the future holds. I've learned time and time again, I can't force something to be, just because that's what I planned. So, no matter how much I tried making Raffee Adeleigh's lovey, she just wasn't ever that attached to him. She didn't mind his presence, but that sense of longing and needing him wasn't quite as apparent as I had anticipated. Pacifiers on the other hand - those have become a hot commodity in the Gaglio household. If there's a paci anywhere within 10 feet of Adeleigh's face, she'll find it. She'll double fist her pacis and switch every few minutes, just to keep it interesting. And fortunately, the paci she's attached to costs about $4 for a 2-pack, so replenishing our stock doesn't break the bank.

So here we were, with 2 extra Raffees sitting in their bags, un-needed and un-loveyed in the closet. Life goes on. More babies are born. So, out come the giraffes into baby gift bags, given to other adorable children, in other homes, where they hopefully will be loved.



And then, for the first time the other night, I saw the sweetest thing. And every night and naptime since, I've caught the two of them snuggling close, clutching on tight to one another. So I guess after a year of having her one and only Raffee lingering around, she's grown to love him more than I'd realized.

Michael Bolton's "How am I supposed to live without you" played overhead.