Greta and Her Blanket

Greta and her blankie are inseparable. When it falls out of her view you are sure to hear, "Niney, where are you?" in her sing-song way. I am challenged with the task of washing it. I have to be stealthy and sneaky. Today she saw me toss it in the washing machine and our eyes locked. "Mammma, noooooo!" she cried. I grabbed it out as fast as I could and placed it in her arms where she brought it to her lips and said, "oh, niney." Maybe tomorrow, it will get a freshener.
The last time I washed it, Derek was in on my strategy. We distracted her with a drive to Einstein Bagels for fruit and chocolate milk. She was uncomfortable the whole time - just not herself and not complete. We swung back by the house and I threw it in the dryer and drove around some more...Counting trees, singing songs, looking at my watch... whew - it had to be dry, and we pulled in the garage. We walked inside the house and she sang, "Niney, where are you?" I grabbed it, all warm and soft out of the dryer and she stood in the doorway watching. She brought niney up to her cheek and said, "Oh, niney, I know, I know...." So much love in this child.