My Friend Pablo

Our youngest daughter Megan has always been the quieter, more calm version of her sister. From sleeping to eating to social situations, where Kellie's anxiety sometimes gets the best of her, her sister has always had a laid back approach to life.

Big Sis Kellie never grew attached to any playthings, instead preferring to have mommy or daddy as her playmates. I would try in desperation to get her to find a "lovey" of some sort. Something she could sleep with so that I could leave the room when she was a baby, instead of having to stand, hanging over the crib for hours, rubbing her back. Or a toy she could bring along on vacations or even when we had to leave her with a caregiver to give her some additional comfort and support, but nothing caught on.

Megan on the other hand has been alternating objects of affection. The "binky" of course is the favorite, but she is also attached on various days to different baby dolls, Care Bears and Princess dolls. And now there is Pablo.

If you don't know Pablo, he is one of the Backyardigans, a show my daughter has maybe seen 5 times in her life. It really isn't about the show, but there is something about this little blue and yellow penguin that seems to have captured her heart. She has 3 versions of this little character. One that is small enough to easily carry, go into stores and ride in the car without much of a fuss...this is not the one she likes. The other is a larger than life, well larger than Megan, size doll. This one also fortunately is not the one she likes either. No the one she has become quite attached to is the version that sings and dances, spinning around the room singning the Backyardigan tunes. This is the one she wants to take in the car, have sit at the dinner table with us and if I would let her, take a bath with her as well.

As her first "best friend" I suppose I shouldn't complain. He is very attentive, is always there for her and always has a special song to share...but I am a little concerned about taking him on vacations...