A Tale Of Two NiNis
Posted By jayna on August 29, 2009
Let’s switch gears, from soul bearing back to that whole motherhood thing, shall we?
I have something terribly important to share. Something groundbreaking and so intelligent, mothers around the world will shout praises in my direction for thinking it up.
Or, perhaps not.
But it is pretty darn cool.
Both of the girls have a lovey. A blankie. A comfort item. Whatever you want to call it, they both have it. The catch however, is that it’s the same thing for the both of them. Even better? I currently have at least 40 in the closet.
Really, it’s genius.
Before E was born, I randomly ended up with a package of birdseye cloth diapers. Just the super thin, single layer, gauzy ones. I had no idea what I was going to do with them and promptly tucked them away after they were washed and folded. Fast forward to the first week of her life, when I found myself covered in breastmilk, baby puke and baby drool. I ran out of burp cloths and reached for the birdseye. And the angels sang!
Those things are awesome at sopping up every imaginable liquid. I carried one everywhere – draped over my shoulder, tucked in her carseat, folded under her head when she lay on the couch, stuffed into my bra as a makeshift leak catcher, and tucked under her chin during feedings to catch all the “extra”. We were fully covered in birdseye. And by the time she was a few months old, one was always clutched in her hand, snuggled up near her face. They have such a loose weave and are so shear, that I never worried about prying it out of her grip as I lay her down for the night.
Over time, we stopped needing to sop everything up. The pile in the closet became all for E. She would clutch one in her chubby fist while sucking her thumb. Slowly, they were dubbed “nini” and it has since stuck. Everyone in the house uses that word multiple times over the day.
In anticipation of MJ’s arrival, I stocked up, fearing a great battle over just who was allowed to have control of them. So far, it’s worked wonderfully and exactly as I planned. E trades ninis back and forth with MJ all day, making sure she has the best one. And MJ is toted around the house, firmly clutching her own, snuggled against her face. When they stink, I bleach them. When we forget one somewhere, we grab another. They are tied on heads for babushkas, around waists for skirts and under arms for swings. They go on walks in the woods with us, swimming in the river, out to the barn and to restaurants.
The bleachable, replaceable lovey.
Let’s just hope MJ doesn’t buck the system and sticks to my little plan for her.
You're one smart mama :)
I love when kids attach to something like that. My oldest has had a poor ever since he was an infant that still to this day despite many surgeries sleeps with him each and every night in hand. None of my others have attached themselves to anything though I wish they would. So sweet!
Great idea :) I remember when Violet's blanket went missing and then returned. Crazy couple of days. You are genius!
Have a great weekend!
I just love the look of your blog!
The cloth diaper as lovey idea is good. I may have to adopt that with this next baby! Thanks for the tip!!
Dangit Jayna, why didn't I think of that??? Rylee has her ONE lovey (Lubby) that's old and beat up. Anytime we lose Lubby it's hell till we find him. We had a MILLION of those birdseye cloths too!