"Stinky" is the name we have affecionately called Claire's blankies for the last 5 years. "Stinky" has been been there for Claire at nap times, bedtimes, time-out-times, long car rides, playtimes and, really, just about anytime. "Stinky" could be counted on to help Claire fall asleep in her crib when she was a baby. "Stinky" could be counted on to help Claire fall asleep as a preschooler. With just a quick snuggle, "Stinky" could make any ouchie feel better. "Stinky" was great for those times when Claire was kind of tired and just needed a quick little quiet time.

"Stinky" has been Claire's best friend since she was born.

There were only 2 downfalls to "Stinky".

"Stinky" stunk.

"Stinky" aquired his name because Claire liked to suck on "Stinky" until the thing smelled so bad it could clear a room. If one was not aware of "Stinky's" existence, one would think that we had some dead animal rotting away somewhere hidden in our house.

But Claire loved "Stinky" stinky.

The other downfall was that "Stinky" was on the verge of causing some permanent buck teeth.
Because "Stinky" was the most effective at giving comfort when he was being chewed on by Claire, and because Claire has fallen asleep every night of her life with "Stinky" in her mouth, "Stinky" was having the same effect on her teeth that a chronic thumb sucker would have.

Claire is starting to lose her teeth and get her "big teeth".

We had to say bye-bye to "Stinky".

"Stinky" has been officially retired for a week now. There were many nights when "Stinky" was mourned for a couple of hours after bedtime, but each day gets better than the one before.

As a suprise for my big girl, I took her out on a date to buy a new friend to snuggle with. The new friend is called "Pretty Beary" and she was made by Claire at "Build a Bear". "Pretty Beary" is exactly the kind of friend Claire needed. Perfect to snuggle with, play with, pretend with and everything else that "Stinky" did.

Except stink.