We bought a NZ lambskin for our newborn baby almost 22 years ago. As soon as we brought him home from the hospital we put him on it, face down (that was back in the day when the AMA recommended tummy sleeping to avoid SIDs). He immediately snuggled his face into it, grasped handfuls of the fleece in his little hands and a beautiful relationship was born! He slept on it at night and it was always under him in the stroller and car seat. It kept him warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By the time he was one year old and walking he would take it out of his crib and carry with him through the house. It became his "lovie", rather like a furry blankie that went everywhere with him. He could not say sheepskin but he could say "sheepie" and that is what we all called it. After that, I swear, the "sheepie" began developing it's own personality. The name and sheepskin eventually morphed into "Meepster". Since it had been laundered and machine dried so frequently (not recommended by the manufacturer) it began to dry out and crack along the natural creases in the skin. Not to worry as now my toddler had portable Sheepies/Meepsters to put into a pocket or backpack and take with him on every outing! "Meepster" had a very distinct personality, mischievous I believe, and my son would live vicariously through it. I can remember long car trips where we would make up all sorts or stories and adventures about "Meepster". If the car got a flat tire we all knew that "Meepster" was somehow behind it. Fast forward to the future. I am the mother of a well adjusted, 22 year old college student. "Meepster" exists in his memories and I have a tiny, worn scrap of it in my keepsake box. My husband and I like to joke that when life gets stressful for our son, he still has a small piece of torn fleece in his pocket that will get him through any situation.
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