A Tale of Three Ernies

When Levi was around ten months old, we took him to Sesame Street Live. He got to pick out a toy and he chose a little stuffed Ernie. Not long after that, he really took to him and had to sleep with him every night. Before Ernie, Levi never had any sort of attachment to a stuffed animal or blanket. It was so cute seeing him curled up in his crib with his pal Ernie and every night before bed he would say, "a packy Ernie! a packy Ernie!", and we would give him his pacifier and Ernie and he was out like a light. So precious.



Here is his beloved Ernie today.



He's looking a little worn and tattered due to his numerous cycles through the wash and countless nights slung about in bed. But he remains a faithful little pal. And Levi loves him.

Last year, when we had Levi's Sesame Street Birthday Party, we picked up a new Ernie as part of the decor, since his real Ernie wasn't in the best shape. We keep this Ernie in our room now for the times Levi crawls in bed with us or if the real Ernie is misplaced and it's time for bed. Listen to me - the REAL Ernie. Oh dears. What have I become?

The other day, Levi picked him up and said, "this isn't regular Ernie, this is Steve Ernie." I bursted into a fit of laughter and asked him why he calls him Steve Ernie, and he replied, "because that's his name."

Meet Steve Ernie.



It makes me laugh how different these Ernie's look. Steve Ernie is much more fresh, but regular Ernie is more cuddly. And it looks like regular Ernie has had a haircut or two in his day. Believe it or not, regular Ernie had a bountiful head of hair in his day. Bless his stuffed little cotton heart. Such a trooper, that Ernie.



The other day, we were perusing the aisles of Target and Levi spotted a little something special. "A baby Ernie! A baby Ernie for baby Ezra! Can we get that for him, Mommy?" How could I resist my eager little angel, and yet another Ernie in our home?



Obviously, I couldn't. Levi is beyond excited to give Ezra his Ernie, and it's just the sweetest thing!

So as you can see, Ernie has a special place in our hearts and our home. All three of them: Regular Ernie, Steve Ernie and Baby Ernie.



:)