Minnie Mouse

A little over a month ago, Eliana started carrying around a doll or stuffed animal everywhere she went.  It started with one of my old cabbage patch dolls that she found at my parents house during a Labor Day visit.  Eliana and Dixie were inseparable for about four days.  However, I would not let her take Dixie to daycare, so she quickly adapted to loving whatever doll was closest at hand. 

Eliana insisted Dixie sit in the high chair her.  When Dixie got yogurt on all over her, I would no longer allow two in the chair at one time.  Eliana is kissing her baby in this picture.

Since Dixie had to sit at the table, Eliana wanted to sit at the table too.  Then Eliana wanted to give Dixie some of her milk.

I found them sleeping like this one night.

Eliana has been pretty nondiscriminatory with her stuffed animal love.  One day she will be carrying around "Woof Woof" the dog, then "Quack Quack" the duck, then big or little Mickey (she has two Mickey Mouse dolls, one is about twice the size of the other). 

Dancing with Dolly.

Snuggling with Big Mickey

Playing in the kitchen with "Ah Ah" the monkey and Bunny (occasionally called Thumper but mostly just Bunny).

But now, I think Eliana has found a true friend that cannot be replaced - Minnie Mouse.  I rotate Eliana's toys every few months, so I finally pulled Minnie out of the closet about a week ago.  Eliana has been obsessed with her every since!  Minnie is a great doll for Eliana because she has on a shirt (we used to put one of Eliana's old shirts on Mickey so that he would be wearing something), her pants are white so they look like a diaper, and she is wearing shoes.  These are all traits that we discuss at length about Minnie Mouse.  So many interesting parts in just one stuffed animal!  Eliana has been mostly ignoring her other stuffed animals in favor of being with Minnie.  Eliana thinks Minnie can do anything.  When we were outside coloring with chalk, she put chalk in Minnie's hand and had her color too.  She does the same thing with crayons inside.  Today at lunch Eliana was having grilled cheese and broccoli, so she insisted Minnie have a "cheese san-wich" too. I raided Eliana's play kitchen and made Minnie a cheeseburger, which Eliana showed her how to "eat" once she finished her own lunch.  Is this the start of a long and lasting friendship?  I guess we will find out!