Beloved Blankie

Shortly after my mother-in-law found out that Steve and I were expecting, she took a shopping trip to Target to pick out a few things for her new grandchild. Considering that I was only around seven weeks along, she was forced to buy all gender neutral gifts. One of the items that she picked out was a blanket. 

Like all expecting parents, Steve and I had a stock pile of blankets for our newborn to snuggle up with. We had thin blankets and thick blankets. Cotton blankets, terry cloth blankets, store bought blankets and handmade blankets. I remember having more blankets and burp clothes than I knew what to do with. 

As an infant, Autumn did not know the difference. As long as her toes were covered and she was warm and toasty, she could care less what was covering her up. Until one morning, when she was around six months old, Autumn decided that there was one blanket that stood out from all the rest. One blanket that was special and destined to never leave her side. Out of all of the blankets that had been made, bought, passed down and gifted, it was the gender neutral blanket that her Meme had bought when she was the size of a pea in my tummy.

This blanket has had several different names, including "bada" and "blankie". It has been on two plane rides and countless road trips. It has followed Autumn on adventure after adventure out on the back porch and through the back yard. It is the first thing Autumn asks for when she is getting tired and ready for a nap or bed. It sits on the back of her high chair when she eats, accompanies us wherever we go and is cried for on those rare occasions that it escapes to the washing machine. 

It is Autumn's blankie. A small gift, bought by an excited grandmother. A granddaughter's greatest treasure and best friend.