Object of His Affection

If you know and love Ty, you know Bobby—his object of affection for the past 4-years. Like most "blankies," Bobby has been put through a lot during Ty's infant and toddler years. Aside from traveling extensively around the tri-state area, he has made every one of our trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and he even joined us on our maiden voyage to Disney World this past spring.  He's been peed on, puked on, run over by a car, slobbered on by our dogs, bathed against his will and left outside in the rain overnight. He was even lost a time or two, but I assure you—this really is the original Bobby. No one-two-switcheroo here!

When I think back, it makes me laugh that this odd little blanket won the bid for Ty's unending love. I was given several of these small animal-headed, silk blankets for my baby shower and I thought to myself, what child in their right mind would want this half-doll, half blanket hybrid creature?  So, with little regard I exchanged the five or so I had received to Babies R Us for more practical items (...like a wipes warmer and baby work boots—LOL!).

When Ty was around 3-months, we noticed that he loved the feel of silk. Responding to his every whim, Mema showed up shortly thereafter with this dog blanket. Although I appreciated the sentiment, I was secretly hoping Ty would hate it as much as I did. Much to my chagrin, it was love at first sight!

Now, over 4-years later, when I look at Bobby, I smile. He symbolizes the innocence of childhood. Someday I hope to make a quilt of Ty's most beloved boyhood memories. After all he's been through, Bobby has most certainly earned his place as the center square.  After all, it wouldn't be near as meaningful without his odd little dog head poking through the middle of Ty's childhood quilt.

P.S. The football that Bobby is holding is Bobby Junior, Bobby's Bobby, if you will.  A story for another time...