APB for Pinks the Bear
Emma has a very, VERY favorite teddy bear. (Actually, she has two, as she got duplicates of the same bear as a baby.) His official name is "Pinks the Bear" but Em just calls him (them) TEDDY. Teddy is only allowed to hang out in Emma's crib, or in the carseat with her when we're on a long road trip (one in which a nap hopefully gets taken). This is what Pinks the Bear looks like when he is new and beautiful. The thing is, Emma likes to suck/chew on his arms whenever she is sleeping. Since Teddy then gets rather sodden and gross and smelly, we wind up rotating between the 2 bears - one for nap and one for overnight - and washing both of them in hot water with bleach every day. (Emma will cheerfully announce "TEDDY BAF" each morning when she gets up, and she likes to watch as the 2 bears go into the washer for their "bath" too.) As you might imagine, neither bear is looking so "in the pink" after such a long period of daily baths and nightly chewing. The time is quickly arriving when one or both of the bears are just going to fall apart from the wear and tear. There are ominous worn/balding spots on all 4 arms, which is cause for alarm! We have tried giving Em a substitute "lovey" instead, and Aunt Honda found Emma a very similar bear made by the same manufacturer, but alas, Emma rejects any and all loveys except for Pinks. To make matters more complicated, it turns out that Pinks is a Ty "Pluffie" which is a collectable toy like their Beanie Babies, and Pinks was retired (gasp) in January of 2004. We have located one new Pinks on Ebay and have purchased it, but it will get expensive fast if that is how we have to keep replacing the sacred teddy bear! (Who knows how much longer Emma will want her Teddy with her when she sleeps.... Mommy still has her "Star Bear" and "Blankey" at the age of 33!) We're putting this "APB" out there now so that just in case anyone happens to be in a store and spots a Ty Pluffie "Pinks the Bear" on the shelf, please grab it for Emma and we'd be eternally grateful! Mommy and Daddy will gladly reimburse you for the effort too!

(The preceding bulletin has been brought to you by Parents of Emma, who hope that she will continue to have long, solid nights of sleep complete with bear arm jammed in her mouth.)
- posted by Heather @ 7:47 PM