The Pinky Twirl

This is Pinky.  It is Sam's lovey.  We have four of them scattered around the house, ready to soothe Sam when she is crying, throwing a temper tantrum, over-tired or just needs something soft and cuddly to hold on to.

My mom bought Sam this doll (back when Sam was 6 months old), in the hopes that she would cling to this doll, like Ian does his Gymbo doll.  It worked and the next thing you know, we had to purchase many more to have on hand as back-ups.  Fortunately they are extremely reasonable in price and mass produced.  Good going Mom-Mom on your choice.

Sam has started something quite unique with Pinky.  Once she is settled and her thumb has found her mouth, she takes her other hand and puts a finger under the cuff of Pinky's wrist.  There is a small band of material that is folded over.  Sam fits her finger in this space, holds Pinky high in the air and twirls her around. 

Jeff and I have found Sam twirling Pinky to the point it may be a little OCD.  When she is trying to fall asleep at night, she'll be all cuddled under her blanket, but yet one arm shoots straight up and begins the Pinky Twirl.

The oddest time Sam has done the Pinky Twirl is when she was throwing the most massive temper-tantrum and was in a complete rage throwing everything in her line of vision.  Jeff, trying to get her to calm down, grabbed her in his lap and put both arms around her in an attempt to keep her still.  While she was being "restrained" and still screaming at the top of her lungs, she managed to get one arm free and do the Pinky Twirl.  Jeff was quite amazed by this sort of multi-tasking.

Here is a video of the Pinky Twirl in action.  This was taken on Sunday morning.  Upon rising early in the morning, she decided to crawl in the laundry basket and just chill.  Doing the Pinky Twirl of course.