For the past year or so, Michael has been begging me to go into the Keepsakes Box in the garage and find Quacker and Bugs. These two stuffed animals kept Michael company in his incubator and provided a little color and some stimulation for him. When Michael was born in Paris, a lot of people sent us care packages from home. Most of them were full of American food that we so badly longed for- but some people sent cute little things for Michael. Bugs (the little stuffed bunny) was sent to us by my Grandma and Quacker (the little yellow ducky) was sent to us from my cousin Julie. These two little guys were really cute and small so Damien and I brought them to the NICU and asked if we could put them in Michael's incubator. They told us we were allowed to do it- but that they would have to disinfect them and then place them in sealed sterile plastic bags so no infection entered Michael's 'little home'.
Over the years Michael has become more and more aware of his beginnings and has looked with increasing interest at the photo album devoted to his long journey from Paris to America. One thing that has always peaked his interest are Quacker and Bugs. Of course Damien and I cherish them because they brought us comfort too, but we were surprised to see that Michael wanted to see them so badly. Well, Damien finally went into the garage to dig into one of the three Keepsake Bins to look for these two little animals. When Michael first saw them he was shocked at how little they were. We explained that next to his little body- they probably looked big to him. But now that he was bigger- they probably seemed smaller. We thought that was a cute observation. Michael also loved that Bugs wears one of Michael's french hospital bands around his ankle. One funny thing is that for the entire time we were in Paris- they insisted on spelling Michael's name
Mickael. This bugged Michael and he said, 'Didn't they know how to spell my name?" Hey bud- it comes with the territory. Maybe if your Mom and Dad didn't go to Europe pregnant that wouldn't have happened!!! Michael was so proud to be holding Quacker and Bugs but was surprisingly delicate with them. He knew how special they were and wants to save them to show his kids one day. Michael explained to Matthew their significance and has insisted that I put them on display on a high shelf in my kitchen for a while so that Quacker and Bugs can be a part of our family in America.
One other very special keepsake from Michael's birth in Paris, France was a little giraffe named Sophie that was given to Michael by one of his many nurses, Severine, right before he was to be discharged. She explained that every baby born in France is given this little squeaky toy and that Michael should be no different. She hoped that Sophie would remind Michael of France as he grew older. For the first few years- Michael had no interest in Sophie. Then Sophie became 'really cool' to Michael and was played with and squeaked often. Last year, poor Sophie was feeling her age and lost her ability to squeak. Then this year, her pliable plastic neck began to crack. Michael was really upset over this so Michael taped her neck so that it wouldn't crack anymore. His love for this little toy is so sweet. I thought it might be fun to get him a new one for his birthday last month! When he opened it- he couldn't believe I had gotten him another Sophie all the way from France! Then he pursed his lips a little and said to me, "Sorry Mom. I made a deal with the first Sophie that I would never trade her in." I swear- this is word for word what he said. It was so sweet. From the picture- you can tell how much 'love' the older Sophie has gotten compared to the newer Sophie. I assured Michael that his original Sophie isn't going anywhere and that now Sophie has a new friend. He liked this and then made sure that if he played with the newer giraffe, he gave his original Sophie some love, too.
For the past year or so, Michael has been begging me to go into the Keepsakes Box in the garage and find Quacker and Bugs. These two stuffed animals kept Michael company in his incubator and provided a little color and some stimulation for him. When Michael was born in Paris, a lot of people sent us care packages from home. Most of them were full of American food that we so badly longed for- but some people sent cute little things for Michael. Bugs (the little stuffed bunny) was sent to us by my Grandma and Quacker (the little yellow ducky) was sent to us from my cousin Julie. These two little guys were really cute and small so Damien and I brought them to the NICU and asked if we could put them in Michael's incubator. They told us we were allowed to do it- but that they would have to disinfect them and then place them in sealed sterile plastic bags so no infection entered Michael's 'little home'.
Over the years Michael has become more and more aware of his beginnings and has looked with increasing interest at the photo album devoted to his long journey from Paris to America. One thing that has always peaked his interest are Quacker and Bugs. Of course Damien and I cherish them because they brought us comfort too, but we were surprised to see that Michael wanted to see them so badly. Well, Damien finally went into the garage to dig into one of the three Keepsake Bins to look for these two little animals. When Michael first saw them he was shocked at how little they were. We explained that next to his little body- they probably looked big to him. But now that he was bigger- they probably seemed smaller. We thought that was a cute observation. Michael also loved that Bugs wears one of Michael's french hospital bands around his ankle. One funny thing is that for the entire time we were in Paris- they insisted on spelling Michael's name Mickael. This bugged Michael and he said, 'Didn't they know how to spell my name?" Hey bud- it comes with the territory. Maybe if your Mom and Dad didn't go to Europe pregnant that wouldn't have happened!!! Michael was so proud to be holding Quacker and Bugs but was surprisingly delicate with them. He knew how special they were and wants to save them to show his kids one day. Michael explained to Matthew their significance and has insisted that I put them on display on a high shelf in my kitchen for a while so that Quacker and Bugs can be a part of our family in America.
One other very special keepsake from Michael's birth in Paris, France was a little giraffe named Sophie that was given to Michael by one of his many nurses, Severine, right before he was to be discharged. She explained that every baby born in France is given this little squeaky toy and that Michael should be no different. She hoped that Sophie would remind Michael of France as he grew older. For the first few years- Michael had no interest in Sophie. Then Sophie became 'really cool' to Michael and was played with and squeaked often. Last year, poor Sophie was feeling her age and lost her ability to squeak. Then this year, her pliable plastic neck began to crack. Michael was really upset over this so Michael taped her neck so that it wouldn't crack anymore. His love for this little toy is so sweet. I thought it might be fun to get him a new one for his birthday last month! When he opened it- he couldn't believe I had gotten him another Sophie all the way from France! Then he pursed his lips a little and said to me, "Sorry Mom. I made a deal with the first Sophie that I would never trade her in." I swear- this is word for word what he said. It was so sweet. From the picture- you can tell how much 'love' the older Sophie has gotten compared to the newer Sophie. I assured Michael that his original Sophie isn't going anywhere and that now Sophie has a new friend. He liked this and then made sure that if he played with the newer giraffe, he gave his original Sophie some love, too.
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