Old Toy, New Wonders

During our recent trip to Connecticut, we packed up my childhood treasures to bring back to Michigan. Amongst them was my old doll, Maude. I named her after my Great-Aunt Maude, who gave her to me. I have only very vague memories of Great-Aunt Maude, she died when I very young, but I’m told I liked her, and I must have felt strongly enough about her to name my doll after her.  Maude was one of two dolls I saved from childhood (and I had many).

Maude in all her glory, including an old dress belonging to yours truly
Maude in all her glory, including an old dress belonging to yours truly

Well, when we got home I put her in a big basket amongst the stuffed animals Gianna’s been given. Last week, Gianna pulled her out of the toy basket and she had become the favorite of the moment. This old doll with the smudges on her face. This old doll with the Don King hair (I used to carry her around by the hair). And it makes me smile. I have a very large sentimental streak in me- Just ask my very dear husband who had to lug five big bins of my childhood out of my mom’s basement in CT, drive them to Michigan, and then promptly park them in our basement (he was very forbearing and only complained a little bit). So I love that Gianna seems to love this doll I cherished as a child. I love that her first doll was one of my first dolls.

Gianna is fascinated by Maude's eyes in a way that does not bode well for her baby cousin Peter. . .
Gianna is fascinated by Maude’s eyes in a way that does not bode well for her baby cousin Peter. . .

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Playing for an 8 month old, at least with regards to dolls, apparently mostly consists of climbing on top of the doll and mauling her (in love, always in love). And Gianna can do it all day. If the doll is out on the floor, even if its just that her foot is poking out, she hones right in and crawls over. We sit on the floor and she watches the doll, almost as though she’s checking for movement. Then she pokes at the eyes and feels the eylashes between her two fingers. She is fascinated by the eyes.  She plants a large, open mouthed kiss on the top of Maude’s head and chews on her hair for awhile. Gianna then proceeds to Maude’s feet, which she touches ever so gently, right before she sinks her newly grown teeth into them of course.

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I love watching my daughter play. It’s enchanting to see her smile as she looks at a doll and to chatter away while she hugs and pulls at her, clearly delighted by what she’s experiencing. She’s growing and changing before my very eyes, and I feel so blessed to be a part of the every day small moments like playing with dolls.