Kyleigh's Story - Doggie!

I was told that stuffed animals are not good for new born babies because of the fur and potential dusty allergens. So I packed away all my stuffed animals in the guest closet before Kyleigh arrived. I couldn't part with my favorite Alan and Eric (Alan is the big tan color dog, and Eric is the German Shepard, in my icon picture), so they were tucked under my desk.

A couple of days ago (11/8/2007), Kyleigh was playing in my computer room. She was jumping on my thighs and then slipping down onto the carpet along my legs. When she landed, her eyes brightened. She saw Alan under the desk. Kyleigh pointed her finger straight at Alan and wouldn't turn her head away.

I wasn't planning on giving her any stuffed animals until she's 3 years old. But now that she saw Alan, it's hard not to let her play with him. So we pulled Alan out and gave him a bath. Kyleigh was watching us when we put Alan in the wash machine. We told Kyleigh we would play with Alan that night. But she fell asleep before the dryer finished running.

The next day, we covered her eyes, and surprised her with a clean and happy Alan on the sheet. Kyleigh was very excited and my mom helped her ride on Alan. I pulled out the camera and took a few quick shots before I had to go to work. Kyleigh was camera-shy, though, so you couldn't see her laugh.

When I came home, my mom said that Kyleigh was having fun playing with Alan all day. She was riding Alan, hugging Alan, having her socks put on Alan's feet, and putting her hair ring on Alan's paw.

No, we are not getting a real dog.

The following are a few snap shots of Kyleigh having fun with her new friend, Alan.

Kyleigh was getting to know Alan. She gently and lovingly patted Alan.

This is Alan's nose.

This is Alan's eye.

This is Alan's ear.

Riding Alan is so fun! 

"I love Alan!" ~ Kyleigh, 45 weeks old.

(Note: This was also drafted a long time ago, but I hadn't sorted the images that went with this article until tonight.)

For more stories about my baby Kyleigh, please visit Kyleigh's Stories Group.