BellisinKiev: This is my GOOD Big Tom.....

A few months ago I wrote a post about Gio's thumb-sucking. While the habit continues as strong as ever, there has been a marked increase in his other comfort behavior- his attachment to his stuffed dog, Big Tom. I suppose this has something to do with the sudden change of scenery this summer- our move to Italy, his new school where no one speaks English and 4 weeks without his papa. Gio has gotten through all of these big changes well, and I think Big Tom has a lot to do with it. The teachers and children at his school quickly recognized that Gio and Big Tom go together; all have been eager to make sure that BT is always nearby on the rare occasions when Gio's grip slips from one of the worn ears.

As far as history goes, Gio was given the original stuffed animal when he was about 6 months old. He was a gift from his two Italian cousins, Cristina & Giacomo. At first the toy was just one of a few in Gio's crib, but within a month it became the one thing Gio pulled out with him when we lifted him up each morning. His thumb-sucking began soon after, always coordinated with a gentle rubbing of the dog's belly. This was, and is still, the way Gio learned to put himself to sleep.

Once Gio began to talk we learned that Gio had named his puppy "Tom". Although we do not know exactly why this name was chosen, we speculate it may be from the nickname "Tomby" that our Indian cook gave to Gio while we were in Delhi. Over the last few years I have collected a few more of the stuffed dogs for a total now of 5 big ones and 2 miniatures (or "baby Toms") for fear that the original might one day get lost. Despite the increased population, the original remains the most important. "He is my GOOD Big Tom, Momma!" This has something to do with the feel of the dog's belly. He does a careful inspection by rubbing each one until he finds the right Tom. I try every so often to get the good one into the washing machine but it is difficult to find a 2 hour window when he will not be missed. As a matter of fact, as I write this, it is in the machine. On cue Gio just asked, "Momma, where is my GOOD Big Tom?" And so begins 90 minutes of distraction, diversion and a few lies. Yesterday I discovered that one ear is about to fall off. Gio has agreed that surgery can be performed, but only by his beloved Aunt Luisa. Wise decision to avoid your momma's sewing "skills," dear boy. I suppose one day Gio will retire Big Tom, perhaps when peer pressure rears its all-too-often cruel head. For now, however, I am charmed by the the boy-puppy friendship and am happy my fellow is still very far from being all grown up.

I thought I would rummage through my iPhoto files to capture a timeline of Gio and his puppy...