My Bankie

You know how some kids suck their thumbs or twirl their hair or otherwise sooth themselves? Well, I have an ear-tickler. There is a sure way to know when Braxton is getting tired. He finds one of his blankies and starts to "tickle". He usually does it when he gets up in the morning, usually before nap time, and always, always before bed. If he is feeling sad and the blankie is no where to be found, you can find him with his finger in his ear rubbing around and around. Tonight, he even shared with me the ear-tickle experience. He went from one of his ears, to the other, then to Mom's ear, then to the other... But he won't let Mom tickle for him - apparently I don't have the technique down quite right :).

The ear-tickling is just one of the roles that the "bankie" plays in Braxton's day to day life. The bankie is a staple in any sleeping event. It also comes in very handy when we play "peek" or to put any of a variety of stuffed animals to sleep (then quickly tear the blanket off, sending the animal flying, and yelling "awake!"). The green blankie in the picture is the "original". Fortunately for us, we have 2 more. One plays a very similar role at daycare. The other, Grandma Sandy gave him as a "back-up" so that the bankie could get a bath once in awhile. Well, though very well intended, the bankies now go as a pair ("mo' bankie"). Along with these, Braxton has also gotten pretty accustomed to bringing 2 stuffed animals to bed - his Hippo (ippo) and his rabbit (this one is pretty clear). And he is adamant that he (not me or Dad) will bring them all to bed. So, to watch the little guy head off to bed is quite entertaining - 2 bankies, 2 animals, and whatever else crosses his mind at the time (a hammer, a book, a hat, whatever) all in his arms, tripping him up, and falling to the floor. Oh, what a kid!