The story about Elmo...

When Hannah was about 10 months old Ben, Hannah and I went to Babies R Us for a little shopping. We had a few things to buy (a supply of diapers or wipes probably--with 2 in diapers then) and time to browse for things we didn't really need. I headed to the toys section in hopes to find something that would occupy either or both while in the store. We found Elmo. Hannah was in love and never let him down the entire time we were in the store.

So we bought him.

He has been a part of our lives for such a long time, he's practically family. We have since received gifts of Elmo in a Halloween costume, Hokey Pokey Elmo, Silly Parts Elmo, Elmo this and Elmo that but Elmo doll has remained "the one true love" for Hannah. Hannah sleeps with Elmo, nurses Elmo, rocks Elmo and cares for Elmo as if he were her baby (even though we have many dolls-he is "the one"). She loves to watch him on TV too, we even have many of the videos to choose from and take with us.

Lately Elmo's name has changed to "Boots" because Hannah is also infatuated with Dora the Explorer. We take him everywhere and when she brings him along but doesn't feel like sharing him with others he stays in the car, waiting for her return. He takes a ride in the stroller when we go for walks, he flies in the air for fun, he hangs in the tree (because he's a monkey--well Boots is), he eats dinner with us and shares Hannah's sleep right next to her in bed. Needless to say that he is a part of our family.

Today, Elmo helped Hannah pop bubbles in the back yard, he took a nap with her and then went to the playground with her, Ben, Noah and Corey. On their way home from the park, Ben and Hannah were looking forward to having dinner but still continued to play their imaginary games for the car ride home. Ben grabbed Elmo and threw him out the car window. Hannah shrieked and started to cry. Elmo was propelled into a dangerous area of the street so Corey couldn't reach him, couldn't park the car to even try. So they came home, Hannah in tears but Ben had a solution...he would buy her another at the store.

Such is the sad story of our dear friend Elmo.

More to come...