Blankie, paci, and bear. We call these Little Sister’s big three because she can’t go anywhere without them. I call them the remaining pieces.
The remaining pieces of her babyhood. The babyhood that seems to have slipped right through my fingers.
So you see, I am quite the enabler. Whenever she asks for the big three…”where’s my paci (pacifier), blankie, and bear?” I quickly and happily oblige. Yes, I still (halfheartedly) remind her that her paci is for night night, but she sneaks it in for car rides too. I pretty much look away, or rather, steal glances in my rearview mirror thinking…okay…yes, I still have my baby girl.
I just happen to think it’s the most adorable thing ever. She starts preschool tomorrow, has mastered potty training, and is fiercely independent. So, is it any wonder I’m in no hurry for her to give up these last remaining pieces?
They symbolize so much to me. You see, her transition from baby to toddler to preschooler…it crept up on me. Like the time I went to put her in the baby bjorn for a nice walk and her legs dangled below my knees! When did that happen? I hadn’t even realized up until that point, that I actually had a full fledged toddler on my hands. Not a baby.
So as tightly as she clings to these remaining pieces, I cling to the notion of her as my baby. My baby whose baby days I can’t even remember very clearly. Those days seem a blur. I was learning to juggle life with two and have to admit I was in survival mode. I see pictures of my adorable baby (thank goodness for those), and I think…wow…I don’t even recall her being that small.
I’m left here clinging to these remaining pieces. Not caring that her teeth are going to be crooked thanks to her beloved paci. Not caring that the teddy bear she drags everywhere has probably acquired numerous germs and yet, still goes straight to her bed without even a cursory Lysol spray. And, not caring that her tattered pink blankie, no matter how hard I try…doesn’t really look pink anymore. It looks more like a dingy white blanket that accidentally got thrown in with a load of reds.
I don’t care. She’s my baby and was probably going to need braces anyway if genetics is any clue. So far, I can’t blame any of her illnesses on the bear and though her blankie doesn’t cover her cute little toes anymore, I don’t care. These are the only remaining pieces.
One day, too soon for me…I’m going to miss the clickety clack sound of her paci handle flapping in the wind as she trots down our hallway. I’m going to miss the “where’s my blankie, paci, and bear”…the three words that are always spoken together. I’m going to miss it.
So for now, I’m savoring these remaining pieces…dutifully packing them wherever we go. They will forever be my reminder that you were once my baby girl who, in spite of your fierce independent streak, meant you needed them, needed me.
Long after you have left them behind, these remaining pieces will still be with me. Whether packed away safely in a memory box or stored permanently in my heart and mind…they will remain.
Perhaps one day when you are grown and have become a Mother yourself I will return them to you. Your blankie, paci, and bear will be your reminder that you were once my baby girl and you’ll then know exactly what it’s like to cling to something seemingly so trivial.
Because these remaining pieces are anything but trivial.
What are the remaining pieces that you hold on to and why?
What a very sweet way to look at the comfort items. And that photo is perfection! Everything about it is beautiful: color, comp, depth of field, and the cute little cling to teddy!
What a very sweet way to look at the comfort items. And that photo is perfection! Everything about it is beautiful: color, comp, depth of field, and the cute little cling to teddy!
My nine year old finally quit sleeping with his stuffed puppy about a year ago. I thought I'd be sad when that day came, but he was getting old enough that I was as ready as he was. He still keeps it close though. When he's done with it, we'll put it in his box of treasures and it'll be cool to open it one day and smile at our memories of how much he loved that thing.
what great thoughts about treasures and not wanting kids to grow up.
what great thoughts about treasures and not wanting kids to grow up.
Hold on to them. I kept my now 13 year old's 'little bear' and he just found it the other day way up in his closet. Immediately memories came swarming back. That little boy, now all grown. He thought it was funny that it was still there. I told him to put it back up there and leave it there. That is his little bear. I want it there :).
Hold on to them. I kept my now 13 year old's 'little bear' and he just found it the other day way up in his closet. Immediately memories came swarming back. That little boy, now all grown. He thought it was funny that it was still there. I told him to put it back up there and leave it there. That is his little bear. I want it there :).
This brings tears to my eyes! How sweet!
I've been feeling this way about my youngest. He looks so grown up these days, walking around like a little toddler… My siblings and I used to laugh at my mom when she would cry over a great report card. Now I understand her much better. I guess they will always be our babies.
I've been feeling this way about my youngest. He looks so grown up these days, walking around like a little toddler… My siblings and I used to laugh at my mom when she would cry over a great report card. Now I understand her much better. I guess they will always be our babies.
both of my kids still have their bears and sleep with them every night. I don't hurry for them to lose that feeling of security. It's their precious part of babyhood that will always stay with them, even if it's just in their memory box.
The paci? i was grateful the day that went away
Lovely post, Melissa!
both of my kids still have their bears and sleep with them every night. I don't hurry for them to lose that feeling of security. It's their precious part of babyhood that will always stay with them, even if it's just in their memory box.
The paci? i was grateful the day that went away
Lovely post, Melissa!
I had to let my last piece go this week.
I had to let my last piece go this week.
This is so beautifully written! Our babies does grow up way too fast. As weird as this sounds, I was a bit sad at first when my son have no desires to have a 'lovey' like most kids. I think they are cute and maybe I was hoping that if he have one it would be something that I too would cherish. He just doesn't care for them. I think I would hold on to my son's tackle aka hugs a little bit longer. He's just a huger and I know that too will probably change in the future.
This is so beautifully written! Our babies does grow up way too fast. As weird as this sounds, I was a bit sad at first when my son have no desires to have a 'lovey' like most kids. I think they are cute and maybe I was hoping that if he have one it would be something that I too would cherish. He just doesn't care for them. I think I would hold on to my son's tackle aka hugs a little bit longer. He's just a huger and I know that too will probably change in the future.
You've got me all teary reading this! Beautiful post. The only remaining piece I can think of is the tattered, semi-white stuffed bunny that still sits on my 12 year old daughter's bed. She's had him since her 1st birthday, and he just remains in the background, reminding both of us how much has changed, I guess. My 16 year old son still has bins and bins of Legos under his bed…doesn't touch them, but I do look at them now and then as a reminder of his past life.
Love this, thanks!
You've got me all teary reading this! Beautiful post. The only remaining piece I can think of is the tattered, semi-white stuffed bunny that still sits on my 12 year old daughter's bed. She's had him since her 1st birthday, and he just remains in the background, reminding both of us how much has changed, I guess. My 16 year old son still has bins and bins of Legos under his bed…doesn't touch them, but I do look at them now and then as a reminder of his past life.
Love this, thanks!
Wow, what a beautiful post! In interesting aspect of my daughter's autism was that she didn't development an attachment to a stuffed animal or blanket. She did have her thumb, but she'd pull out her hair and suck on her hair along with the thumb. She did this because she didn't form any other kind of attachment. I think your daughter's independence is precisely because of the comfort items she has. They give her the courage to do things! I think it's wonderful that you're not weaning her of them. She will most likely wean herself as she matures.
We finally did encourage our daughter to give up her thumb (because of the hair pulling). She was ready to give it up. Now she has an amazing head of hair!
Wow, what a beautiful post! In interesting aspect of my daughter's autism was that she didn't development an attachment to a stuffed animal or blanket. She did have her thumb, but she'd pull out her hair and suck on her hair along with the thumb. She did this because she didn't form any other kind of attachment. I think your daughter's independence is precisely because of the comfort items she has. They give her the courage to do things! I think it's wonderful that you're not weaning her of them. She will most likely wean herself as she matures.
We finally did encourage our daughter to give up her thumb (because of the hair pulling). She was ready to give it up. Now she has an amazing head of hair!
for me, mine never took pacis nor had lovies. it wasn't until they were both 2 that they grabbed an animal and brought it to bed. but once it made it to bed, it stayed there. so i really don't have “pieces” to either of them.
for me, mine never took pacis nor had lovies. it wasn't until they were both 2 that they grabbed an animal and brought it to bed. but once it made it to bed, it stayed there. so i really don't have “pieces” to either of them.
Sweet, sweet post! My preschooler never took to a binkie, but is an avid thumbsucker, still. I know it's probably time to start discouraging that, but she just looks so sweet and little… I know there's a time I will miss snuggling up with her and her thumb.
Tear jerker!! I'm boo-hooing over here. Both of my little guys have special pieces, too, and I have a feeling I'll hang on to their lovies forever.
Tear jerker!! I'm boo-hooing over here. Both of my little guys have special pieces, too, and I have a feeling I'll hang on to their lovies forever.
It's funny how with the first I was worried about every milestone and in a rush for her to meet them.
With our second I'm happy that she's almost one and barely has a tooth poking through! Check with me in two years and I'm sure she'll have a paci still, too!
i am going to be so sad the day that my kids give up their “lovies”. as annoying as it can be to try and keep up with everything…or make a midnight run to grandma's house because we forgot chandler's “buddy” over there….it'll still make me sad. when that day comes, i plan on packing away their “buddies” and “blankies” and then giving them back to them one day when they are grown. my mom did that for me and i was SO happy to see my “baa” bear all safe and sound. he even sat on a shelf in my daughter's nursery when she was a newborn!
This post really hits home, especially on a day like today (my older son's first day of kindergarten). I really believe kids tend to give up their lovies when they're ready. They have their whole lives to be grown ups. We should let them be little as long as they want to be.
Sweet post.
This post really hits home, especially on a day like today (my older son's first day of kindergarten). I really believe kids tend to give up their lovies when they're ready. They have their whole lives to be grown ups. We should let them be little as long as they want to be.
Sweet post.
Love this post. I am in favor of all lovies, blankies, and pacies. We want children to work on self-control, independence, and self-soothing, but then take away all those tools they use- seems so silly!
My two girls loved their pacies. We turned them into the pacie fairy when they turned 3, but I confess I still have a few stashed in my drawer just as a reminder of their babyness. I also still feel nostalgaic everytime I pass the baby aisles in Target. I just want to stop and pick up a package of pacies.
They grow up so fast – cherish their babyness!
Love this post. I am in favor of all lovies, blankies, and pacies. We want children to work on self-control, independence, and self-soothing, but then take away all those tools they use- seems so silly!
My two girls loved their pacies. We turned them into the pacie fairy when they turned 3, but I confess I still have a few stashed in my drawer just as a reminder of their babyness. I also still feel nostalgaic everytime I pass the baby aisles in Target. I just want to stop and pick up a package of pacies.
They grow up so fast – cherish their babyness!
While we did do our best to get rid of the “bink” (as we call it), I do let my boys hold onto their blanket and animal (dog for one, tiger for the other.) It really is one of the only signs that my little baby is still inside the enormous big boy bodies.
While we did do our best to get rid of the “bink” (as we call it), I do let my boys hold onto their blanket and animal (dog for one, tiger for the other.) It really is one of the only signs that my little baby is still inside the enormous big boy bodies.
I still have MY blankie. I'm under it right now and though I've tried I really can't sleep without it. So hang onto whatever she needs. Life is tough, we should use what we can to get by.
What a gorgeous picture! Ethan has a Curious George he sleeps with. He rubs the tag on his butt (George, that is) while he sucks his thumb (which I despise). The tag is filthy and torn to shreds and I know one day I'm gonna pull that out of a memory box and instantly cry. I've also sang You are My Sunshine to him at night since he was a baby (he's now 4!) and he still asks me to sing it. I know that, too, will come to an end soon. My youngest is only 6 months and he takes a paci, so I'm sure I'll be right there with you. It's amazing how some of the most “annoying” things when they are little are the creator of the fondest memories. Great post, thanks for sharing!
That is soo sweet. I just love her little hat.
I just found your site and can't believe I didn't find it earlier. I look forward to reading more!
That is soo sweet. I just love her little hat.
I just found your site and can't believe I didn't find it earlier. I look forward to reading more!
sometimes i look at my 18 mo old and think to myself, where have his babyhood gone? i miss it so much, i miss just having him sleep on my chest, and lie there and listen to me read, no matter what it was that i read, even a tv manual… but every time i remind myself that there are so many parents around that dont get to see their kids grow up, there are parents that WISH their kids could one day reach all the amazing milestones that i hold so dear to my heart. i think of that and count my blessings… i remind myself of all the amazing journeys we're going to take in the years to come.
sometimes i look at my 18 mo old and think to myself, where have his babyhood gone? i miss it so much, i miss just having him sleep on my chest, and lie there and listen to me read, no matter what it was that i read, even a tv manual… but every time i remind myself that there are so many parents around that dont get to see their kids grow up, there are parents that WISH their kids could one day reach all the amazing milestones that i hold so dear to my heart. i think of that and count my blessings… i remind myself of all the amazing journeys we're going to take in the years to come.
Ahhh! What a tug on my heart! I'm in the midst of planning my oldest's 2nd birthday party. He is just now beginning to have “lovies” though no one lovie in particular – any stuffed animal will do (whew!). As I watch his baby brother, I marvel at how I can hardly remember the baby days with him. I was fighting PPD/PPA and only have memories of the really stressful and scary times. Like you, I am so thankful for the pictures to help me remember the good times!
Ahhh! What a tug on my heart! I'm in the midst of planning my oldest's 2nd birthday party. He is just now beginning to have “lovies” though no one lovie in particular – any stuffed animal will do (whew!). As I watch his baby brother, I marvel at how I can hardly remember the baby days with him. I was fighting PPD/PPA and only have memories of the really stressful and scary times. Like you, I am so thankful for the pictures to help me remember the good times!
Oh, I can so relate to grasping onto anything reminiscent of babyhood!
I love the gorgeous photo, too.
My youngest is five, and I still call her “baby girl.”
I made up a song for her when she was tiny, using the words “baby girl,” and I still sing it to her. A few days ago, she turned to me and said, “I'm a big girl.” So I changed the words of the song to “kindergarten girl.” She smiled after I was done singing and said, “You should keep calling me baby girl.” I guess she wants to hold onto that comfort as much as I do.
They'll always be our babies, right? Even when they're grown?
Oh, I can so relate to grasping onto anything reminiscent of babyhood!
I love the gorgeous photo, too.
My youngest is five, and I still call her “baby girl.”
I made up a song for her when she was tiny, using the words “baby girl,” and I still sing it to her. A few days ago, she turned to me and said, “I'm a big girl.” So I changed the words of the song to “kindergarten girl.” She smiled after I was done singing and said, “You should keep calling me baby girl.” I guess she wants to hold onto that comfort as much as I do.
They'll always be our babies, right? Even when they're grown?
I still have my baby blanket. But it does go by so fast I can hardly believe my guys are two and four already! The last two years have been such a blur! Hang on to every little piece you can! I am!
I still have my baby blanket. But it does go by so fast I can hardly believe my guys are two and four already! The last two years have been such a blur! Hang on to every little piece you can! I am!
I know my 4 year old “should” sleep in his own bed every night, but when he crawls into my bed in the middle of the night? I kind of treasure it.
Also, my friend's son had his paci at night until he was 5 and the dentist said it had no effect on his teeth. So, there's that!
I know my 4 year old “should” sleep in his own bed every night, but when he crawls into my bed in the middle of the night? I kind of treasure it.
Also, my friend's son had his paci at night until he was 5 and the dentist said it had no effect on his teeth. So, there's that!
Beautiful post, I was only thinking about this today as I went shopping for a very special cup to win over my daughter and finally get her off bottles!
She never had a paci and though she does have a blankie and a whole entourage of toys that she loves – it's really a bottle of milk that gives her comfort.
She is two and a half and I know that she's not meant to be drinking out of bottles but when she's in her pjs snuggled on the couch and asks for one I can't help it. She's my baby.
P.S The response I got re the special cup was “you drink it, it can be your special cup”. Hmm I don't think giving up this last piece is going to be easy for either of us.
Beautiful post, I was only thinking about this today as I went shopping for a very special cup to win over my daughter and finally get her off bottles!
She never had a paci and though she does have a blankie and a whole entourage of toys that she loves – it's really a bottle of milk that gives her comfort.
She is two and a half and I know that she's not meant to be drinking out of bottles but when she's in her pjs snuggled on the couch and asks for one I can't help it. She's my baby.
P.S The response I got re the special cup was “you drink it, it can be your special cup”. Hmm I don't think giving up this last piece is going to be easy for either of us.
Such a lovely post, dear friend!!! Pssssst … want to know a secret? I keep a baby bottle in my cabinet just because. I mean, as long as it's in the house – I must still have a baby here, right? No, no, BELIEVE ME … our family is as big as it is going to get. However, letting go of those last little things are so hard, aren't they? Both my daughters still have their blankies. And while they are fine all day long w/out them – at night time, they are their comfort. I keep telling myself that there is no reason for them NOT to have them. I mean, they won't be holding on to them when they are 30, right? Right? . . . right . . . ? 😉
You hold on to whatever you need, Mama! This baby thing is hard to let go of – so you do it when YOU are ready!!!
SO loved this post!
Such a lovely post, dear friend!!! Pssssst … want to know a secret? I keep a baby bottle in my cabinet just because. I mean, as long as it's in the house – I must still have a baby here, right? No, no, BELIEVE ME … our family is as big as it is going to get. However, letting go of those last little things are so hard, aren't they? Both my daughters still have their blankies. And while they are fine all day long w/out them – at night time, they are their comfort. I keep telling myself that there is no reason for them NOT to have them. I mean, they won't be holding on to them when they are 30, right? Right? . . . right . . . ? 😉
You hold on to whatever you need, Mama! This baby thing is hard to let go of – so you do it when YOU are ready!!!
SO loved this post!
Such a very sweet post. I can so relate!! My “baby” is now almost 14 and I think back on those baby days with such longing now. I didn't appreciate them enough then. Didn't savor those moments as much as I wish I would have, especially once her brother came along. He was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 7 months and for a while his illness was all-consuming and I feel like I missed out a little on Molly's toddler/preschool years. Sigh. The good news is that I'm taking the time to spend and enjoy her now. I know the days are fleeting … she'll be out the door before I know it.
Such a very sweet post. I can so relate!! My “baby” is now almost 14 and I think back on those baby days with such longing now. I didn't appreciate them enough then. Didn't savor those moments as much as I wish I would have, especially once her brother came along. He was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 7 months and for a while his illness was all-consuming and I feel like I missed out a little on Molly's toddler/preschool years. Sigh. The good news is that I'm taking the time to spend and enjoy her now. I know the days are fleeting … she'll be out the door before I know it.
OK, crying my eyes out now. Wow, what an amazingly well written post. You spoke from my heart. My little dude is growing so fast too and I too was in survival mode that first year. He's about to take first steps then the baby will officially be gone and the toddler years beginning. His pals are all walking, but I'm not pushing it. As soon as he starts to walk, I will mourn the loss of the last of my baby days. Crap. Crying again. This growing thing they do is so bittersweet.
OK, crying my eyes out now. Wow, what an amazingly well written post. You spoke from my heart. My little dude is growing so fast too and I too was in survival mode that first year. He's about to take first steps then the baby will officially be gone and the toddler years beginning. His pals are all walking, but I'm not pushing it. As soon as he starts to walk, I will mourn the loss of the last of my baby days. Crap. Crying again. This growing thing they do is so bittersweet.
I teared up a little bit reading this.
My daughter still sucks her thumb so she still has some baby left in her.
I teared up a little bit reading this.
My daughter still sucks her thumb so she still has some baby left in her.
I know…it's all floating around the internet these days. SIGH.
Highly contagious!!
I know…it's all floating around the internet these days. SIGH.
Highly contagious!!
I love your commenter Rachael who said that binkies have no effect on their teeth. Audrey is still using one to go to sleep at 6! Ok, that's my shameful confession for the day. The funny thing is I never graduated her in size, so she is still using a 0-3 month old binky that has this tiny little nipple that she barely feels in her mouth. So that's not so bad…right?
I love your commenter Rachael who said that binkies have no effect on their teeth. Audrey is still using one to go to sleep at 6! Ok, that's my shameful confession for the day. The funny thing is I never graduated her in size, so she is still using a 0-3 month old binky that has this tiny little nipple that she barely feels in her mouth. So that's not so bad…right?
You made me CRY!
I seriously want to claw our FP every times she tells me I need to ditch the binki. Why ditch something which brings such joy? Teeth be damned, they'll need braces anyway!
We are a bear and binki family.
What a beautiful post. And you made me realize why I have not made Chloe give up her binkie. She is my last baby and I do not want these years to slip away. My oldest, in preschool is still comforted by her “baby blankets” – all three of them. I bought extras when I found them, knowing that one day, I might need to replace the original one. Now, she carries all three!
Remaining pieces–how lovely. I am just tearing up at this, remembering those days, those days that were, I swear, just yesterday.
That girl of mine, the college one, had her botty, (blankie). So tattered and discolored, she finally put it away on her closet shelf when she was about 6. She took it to school with her last year.
We mothers get our hearts ripped out on a regular basis by these splendid creatures we brought into this world.
Enjoy these years to come. They are everything, but they whoosh by.
Remaining pieces–how lovely. I am just tearing up at this, remembering those days, those days that were, I swear, just yesterday.
That girl of mine, the college one, had her botty, (blankie). So tattered and discolored, she finally put it away on her closet shelf when she was about 6. She took it to school with her last year.
We mothers get our hearts ripped out on a regular basis by these splendid creatures we brought into this world.
Enjoy these years to come. They are everything, but they whoosh by.
My son likes to sleep with 3 tétines (paci) – one in the mouth and one in each hand. I am in no hurry for him to grow up. I think it's the cuddles that I don't want to let go, the baby kisses. So sweet.
My son likes to sleep with 3 tétines (paci) – one in the mouth and one in each hand. I am in no hurry for him to grow up. I think it's the cuddles that I don't want to let go, the baby kisses. So sweet.
Totally made me tear up! And my son called it a paci too – how funny!
And I agree with the way you see it. I remember when my daughter gave up her poppy (that's what she called it)…she moved into another stage.
They both still have loveys (stuffed animals they sleep with) so that will be the final nail that pierces my heart – when they don't need that either.
Totally made me tear up! And my son called it a paci too – how funny!
And I agree with the way you see it. I remember when my daughter gave up her poppy (that's what she called it)…she moved into another stage.
They both still have loveys (stuffed animals they sleep with) so that will be the final nail that pierces my heart – when they don't need that either.
I LOVE how you wrote this– beautiful! Big Roo has a stuffed pink bear named Burt that he still sleeps with. I'll be really sad when we have to let that go because I know that in this part of his life, Burt the bear means SO much to him.
I LOVE how you wrote this– beautiful! Big Roo has a stuffed pink bear named Burt that he still sleeps with. I'll be really sad when we have to let that go because I know that in this part of his life, Burt the bear means SO much to him.
Now that I've gone back to “work” (student teaching totally is work!!), I'm really holding on to breastfeeding. I mean, Isis is only 8 months and I definitely wanted to breastfeed to 12 months, but now that I'm away from her & she still needs that from me, I'm starting to wonder if I'll keep doing it at night or something even after she's 12 months. That's something I never anticipated and I guess in a way it's my way of trying to hold on to something about her being really little. But plenty of people breastfeed for longer than 12 months, so I think it's okay!!
Now that I've gone back to “work” (student teaching totally is work!!), I'm really holding on to breastfeeding. I mean, Isis is only 8 months and I definitely wanted to breastfeed to 12 months, but now that I'm away from her & she still needs that from me, I'm starting to wonder if I'll keep doing it at night or something even after she's 12 months. That's something I never anticipated and I guess in a way it's my way of trying to hold on to something about her being really little. But plenty of people breastfeed for longer than 12 months, so I think it's okay!!
Beautifully written….poetic, and so true!
I am finding “pieces” in every stage of parenting…things that I don't want to relinquish, not just material things, but emotional ones as well.
So glad to find your post. I found you through Betsy over at zen mama. I'll enjoy reading more!
Beautifully written….poetic, and so true!
I am finding “pieces” in every stage of parenting…things that I don't want to relinquish, not just material things, but emotional ones as well.
So glad to find your post. I found you through Betsy over at zen mama. I'll enjoy reading more!
Oh this post warmed my heart. I'm going to be saving it to my favorites. I feel the same way about my little boy as he's transitioned from baby to toddler–I'm savoring those “remaining pieces” too.
Oh this post warmed my heart. I'm going to be saving it to my favorites. I feel the same way about my little boy as he's transitioned from baby to toddler–I'm savoring those “remaining pieces” too.
This makes me want to cry! I am a fan of letting them stay babies as long as they will! It just goes too fast!
This makes me want to cry! I am a fan of letting them stay babies as long as they will! It just goes too fast!
Oh this is just so beautiful. I know exactly what you mean. My 3 yr old was an early talker and speaks very clear. If you correct her one time she gets it which is nice, but there is one thing I haven't corrected her on.
The “Nee Noom” is the living room to her and it is the last remaining word she says wrong. I hesitate to correct her. Once she gets that, the cute little speech things are gone forever
Oh this is just so beautiful. I know exactly what you mean. My 3 yr old was an early talker and speaks very clear. If you correct her one time she gets it which is nice, but there is one thing I haven't corrected her on.
The “Nee Noom” is the living room to her and it is the last remaining word she says wrong. I hesitate to correct her. Once she gets that, the cute little speech things are gone forever