Dear Jacob,

HOW, HOW, HOW in the name of all that is holy did you become a child that has a security blanket? How did this happen? I know that other kids have them. I am assuming that it is because their parents gave them the same blanket all the time. We did not do this. We didn't have the luxury. The first criteria for any blanket that came near you was if it was absorbent. I also liked them to match, but this was not always possible. You were a "super spitter" and no blanket lasted longer then 10 minutes in your clutches before it was off to the washer. You still spit and I still have to carry 3 blankets everywhere I go. I am so grateful for Carter's brand waffle weave blankets I could cry. They can hold GALLONS of spit up. They are cheap too, so occasionally when I don't have the heart to wash a full load of them, they go in the garbage. (readers....this is wasteful, I know, but don't try and pretend that you haven't once thrown away a onsie after an explosion when you are, say, at the mall or driving across country....) That is not the reason your middle name is Carter, but it is better then the real reason!!

Back to the point....you have to be patient with me. I am not a mom that is used to her children having "special" things that can't be replaced. I am a bit absent minded and not terribly organized. Just keeping track of the children is a victory in my book. When you were born, you started sucking your thumb and you have not stopped. I was so glad...I hate having to track down Dummy's (or Nuk's, or Binkies or whatever you call them). I figure you will always have your thumb, so less work for me. Thank you. I might have been tipped off by the fact that every time you put your thumb in your mouth, you start reaching for something to hold. Laundry (dirty or clean, you don't discriminate), washcloths, mom's shirt, Lauren's hair (your favorite in the car...she can't escape). But, you didn't care WHAT it was, as long as it was something. As of today, you care. Well, actually it was more like a few days ago, but you care.

Right now, you are screaming in your crib because apparently, you don't have the right blanket. It is in your father's car. I forgot to bring it in. From here on out I can look forward to one more thing to keep track of, one more thing to freak out about if it is lost, and one more step at bedtime. That is ok, because you are a pretty great kid. I just want to say THANK YOU that the blanket you chose just so happens to match the newly "muralized" nursery. For that, I forgive the rest.

Love,
Mom

P.S. We need a "name" for the blanket. Lauren calls it Lamby, Jacob calls it "gup gup" (but I think that is how he says his name right now). Any suggestions?