OSO

Kaden you have a favorite brown bear, Oso. His name comes from a cartoon we watched a few times: Special Agent Oso and the theme of the show is you are ‘oso’ special. I found the name fitting with the bonus being you can pronounce it! You love him. You sleep with him, but know he can’t leave the house. I k now when I go to get you out of your crib you will have him under your arm. He is your ‘sniffing’ buddy.

I have explained that you like to pick fuzz and tickle it under your nose. You have done this for about a year. At first I thought it was a smelling habit, but I have discovered it is a sensation you like. You choose soft whispy fibers and softly feather it across the tip of your nose. When you are tired you do it more. There are days I get you after a nap and there is a ‘cotton ball’ under your nose trapped between your upper lip and pacifier. It is so gross!

You pick at your blankets and stuff animals as you fall asleep. I am sure Oso receives much of this love, too.

Anyway, you brought Oso to me and the two of you sat on my lap. You repeated, “Ouch” and pointed down. I figured we were reliving your scraped knee from the Ice Cream Party (three weeks prior). As we seem to talk about it often, so I told you to save the trauma drama for something far more worthy. You pointed down again this time saying, “Owie!” You were concerned. I looked down and there he was- bald! Poor Oso has a scar were the fur has been lovingly pulled out for your sniffing comfort. There is a bald strip of fur on the bear’s forehead and another near his eye. I laughed and laughed. I had to confirm what I was seeing and tossed Oso to Dad. He too laughed and agreed: Yep, Oso has an owie, Kade.

You kissed his head and patted it with care. You jumped down and grabbed Oso by the arm. You walked away holding him with your right hand as the other reached over pulled out fur bringing it to your nose. What will we do when your Oso is completely, err- ummm, ‘thin on top’? When this day comes we will both have anxiety!