For the last year and half the boys were only allowed to play with Puppy and Shirt in their cribs. With a few exceptions such as illness and Mom-About-To-Jump-Off-A-Cliff, their favorite objects stayed in their bedroom. We just made an executive decision last week to allow the boys to play with Puppy and Shirt any time they’re at home.

I think it’s helped them to self-soothe throughout the day. Jonathan thinks it’s made them more neurotic.

Whatever the case, the callous on Benjamin’s thumb is now the size of a blueberry (he only sucks his thumb if he’s holding Shirt). And Puppy’s nose is barely holding on by a few threads (Jonah carries Puppy around by biting it’s nose).

Abuela recently bought a back-up Puppy, but thus far it has been totally rejected. Check out the difference between old and new - especially the tail (which Jonah rubs between his fingers) and nose (which is only dry the moment it comes out of the dryer):

...this is what a year and a half of devotion will do to you.