Just Like Daddy

Eva always wants to do exactly whatever David is doing. If he's tinkering in the garage, Eva follows him out there and stacks soda cans or plays in the car. She's obsessed with bikes since that is Daddy's favorite hobby, and loves to ride behind him in the little trailer or toddler seat. The other day Dave came home from work and took off his shirt, and she immediately took her shirt off to imitate him. The minute I tell her it’s time for bed, she runs to Daddy. She doesn’t want me to put her down; she wants him. Whenever Dave is home, he’s got an adoring little shadow.

FEELS LIKE HOME

Eva's never had a "lovie" or security object she just had to have, like a pacifier, blanket or stuffed animal. Apparently it's a common toddler phenomenon, but she never really needed one. I guess that's partly because she always had one of us around, so she never had much separation anxiety to soothe. At any rate, I've noticed more recently that while she still doesn't harbor attachment to any particular object, she does tend to like things in a certain way that feels familiar. For instance, when we put her down for a nap, she wants a sippy cup full of water and a "bankie". It really doesn't matter which blanket, so long as it's a cuddly afghan pattern that she can weave her fingers into. And it helps if she has white noise like a fan and one of her lullaby CD's, too. When we go out, she'll sometimes want to bring along a familiar toy, like her stuffed doggy. Again, it doesn't have to be a specific toy, just one of her favorites.