transitional objects, the ladybug puke cloth, and 2sleepyheads

Dr. D. Winnicott developed the developmental theory of transitional objects, especially in relation to children finding comfort once they realize that they are separate beings from their mothers. in the sleep training "research" that i've been doing in an attempt to help the mini develop good sleep habits (that's another post altogether), the transitional object plays a huge role. especially at bedtime.

while the mini was in utero, i always wondered what her transitional object would be. for me, i had a white knit blanket with satiny edges that i lugged around forever and eventually, it disintegrated. i loved that blanket. when the mini was littler, she became pretty attached to a lamaze octopus, and although the octopus is awesome, it is heavy for her to lug around right now and it's legs make sounds when you squeeze them. not so good for sleeping. (i can imagine a cacophony of sounds emanating from her room at 2 am. not pretty.) but if that's what it was going to be, we'd make it work.

if you guys remember, the mini had/has been a puker. when she was an infant, she'd spit up or forcibly vomit almost every time i fed her. and she fed a LOT. so, i got my friend 2sleepyheads to whip up some extra large burp cloths with some leftover cloth that she had on hand. she made me three out of the softest light blue flannel with a ladybug and polka dot pattern on it and they quickly became indispensible. to me anyways.

well, in the last month or so, the husband and i realized that the mini has become quite attached to her puke cloths - probably because now, no outfit of mine or hers is complete without it! we did an experiment over the last 3 days - whenever we put her down for a nap or to sleep, we fold up the cloth and put it slightly out of reach next to her - along with other blankets and soft toys. whenever she wakes up, it appears that the first thing she does is look for the cloth, wiggle her way towards it, and pulls it down so that she can rub it on her face and play with it. totally cute - and transitional object issue solved!

just wait till her wedding when we tell everyone that her favorite blanket was a burp cloth i got for her to VOMIT on!

but until then, i'll enjoy sleepy's exquisite mad sewing skills! she seriously makes the sweetest bags - and has an awesome "bag of the month" club. she also makes this texas rag quilt that just might be mine one day. she also has these innovative cooling breast pads/eye masks which are decadent!!! her second etsy shop, CleanAsAWhistle, embraces natural laundry and cleaning methods, all of which i am dying to try!

thanks, sleepy, for everything! the mini and i love you!