Wednesday, December 13, 2006

A Very Special Gift

Even though I don't even know who Mia is, she's with me every day in my heart. Since she has a stocking hung and an ornament on the tree already, she'll be here with us in spirit for Christmas, too. So I wanted to make sure there was something extra special for her under the tree. She already has clothes, toys, dolls, books, and even a few pair of penguin pajamas so I was having a hard time coming up with something that would have some special meaning. But I was at the mall the other day and passed the Build-A-Bear workshop. Inspiration struck! Especially when I saw they had Mumble the penguin from the Happy Feet movie. So I asked my niece and nephews if they would make him for Mia.
Here they are each putting a heart inside. But not before making special wishes first. They had to rub the heart on their heads to make her smart, tummies so she wouldn't be hungry, hearts so she would know she was loved, muscles so she would be strong, and some other stuff the cute little high schooler that worked there told them. Then they sealed it with a kiss and stuck all four hearts inside Mumble. It was very sweet. And will be a great memory for all of us to tell Mia someday.
Teagan was trapped in his stroller most of the time but here are the other three at the grooming station. They're fluffing and brushing him after he'd been stuffed. If you look closely you can see the Bengals uniform hanging on the display in the background. I was definitely tempted.
Well, there's Teagan in the back supervising and giving orders. The store was very busy with shoppers so he had to be confined. Poor kid! It sucks being the baby sometimes.
In the end, after trying several outfits (yes even including a Bengals sweatshirt) we decided just to keep it simple with a hat, scarf and mittens. Mumble is a little... how shall I say... "plump"... so the clothes were really stretched to the limit on him. Here is Tatum getting him dressed.
Proudly displaying their creation outside of the store are Teagan, Tanner, Travis and Tatum.
The finished product with his birth certificate. I love how it has Mia's name on it and says it was stuffed with love by her cousins. They decided that his name should remain Mumble just like in the movie.
We came back to my house where they put him under the tree to wait for Mia. They don't really understand the concept of how much time has to pass before she'll come home. When I told them it could even be all the way until next Christmas or later, Tanner said in shock and disbelief "You mean I'd be 10!" Yep buddy... you'll most definitely be 10 before you meet your cousin. So after all the penguin construction, we relaxed with some pizza and watched Rudolph. And I was once again reminded that my house is not kid proof, especially not the Christmas decor. Oh the changes that'll be happening. But for now it shall remain ... until a baby lives here.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very sweet.

Abby's Mom said...

That is so sweet and a wonderful idea! I think I am going to copy you. Also thanks for all of your encouraging words on my blog. It helps to know that we are all in this together.

Pug Mama said...

You are like me...always with my niece and nephews.
I love Build a Bear. Had all three of my kids 6th b-day parties there!
BTW, I LOVED happy feet.
Very sweet to have gifts for Mia this year. You're already a great mommy.

4D said...

What an original and heartfelt gift for Mia. What great cousins she has waiting for her to come and play with them.

Keep smilin!

t~ said...

My son loves his Build a Bear! Who would have thought they even had a penguin! I bet they got those in especially for you!

Anonymous said...

I love it! Joel and I were really close to doing this for Kaia a couple of weeks ago, but stopped ourselves because I wondered if it would make us too sad. Now that I have seen yours, it makes me want to do it for her all over again.

Drea said...

Love buildabear! Its awesome! I am so glad that you are doing well with so many of us starting to get all stressed out over the regulations etc, so you go girl!

Anonymous said...

That's darling! What a great idea!

C's Mom said...

That is too sweet! Gotta love those kiddos. Ms. Mia has awesome cousins awaiting her.

Anonymous said...

Oh how cool!!! Jim and I were just at Build A Bear today! We were making a cute little bunny for his sister that had a baby last weekend! I wanted to make something for Hannah...but decided to wait. Its so fun there...I can't wait to have a bday party for Ms. Hannah there some day. I love Mia's little Mumble. Way too cute.

M and M said...

That is TOO cute!! I have heard of these 'build a bear' places, but Mumble is the first one I have seen. I am going to have to investigate!!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! Not quite sure why your cute story made me teary...I think I'm over tired! Your family is so cute!

Tiffany

Dawn and Dale said...

Our boys made one for their baby sister over a year ago!! Our bear is still waiting patiently in her box for Annaliese to come home!!

She is filled with 6 hearts though!! That should keep her going!! ;)

Our link to our "BEAR DAY" on on my sidebar!

Love Dawn

wzgirl said...

OMGod, Krista - That is so wonderful and adorable. And, what a perfect choice. (tears) What a sweet family you have...and how much they love their auntie! XO

Sam said...

Awww! Great friend for Mia! Cullen made Kieren a bear during our wait. Any little thing to help make it more real and help with the wait!

OziMum said...

I bought a gift for Bella, last Christmas, and there's another one for her this year. Hoping and praying that SHE'LL actually be here next year... the perfect gift for our family.

Donna said...

What a nice experience...we love Build A Bear too. Mia will be hugging her Mumbles soon!

Anonymous said...

i absolutely LOVE the idea!!! You come up with the BEST ideas!! You're going to be such a GREAT mom! i love that you include the 4 t's so much!! I know they already love Mia and that is so great!! Mumbles is sooooo cute! I want one!! Darcie's b-day is in Jan., maybe we'll have to go see the movie and then go make a Mumbles!! No, I haven't seen it yet, basketball is such a HUGE part of our lives, we have little time for anything else!! Derek has 3 games this week, and of course, we HAVE to go to EVERY, SINGLE GAME!!! I do love it though!
I am praying for you too, that Mia will be home for next Christmas. Don't listen to Connie and keep your hopes and faith up, it's what life is made of!!
I'm proud of you!!! Stay positive and keep doing fun things like this and she'll be home before you know it!
Can't wait to see a picture of her holding Mumbles!!! I KNOW it's going to be adorable!!!
Love ya!