Bun Bun

The before and after of a very well-loved Bun Bun.

Bun Bun and Big Sister on their 2nd Easter together.
That curly little baby mullet is absolutely the cutest thing ever, right?!

Big Sister received Bun Bun for her very first Easter; 6 years later, he is still with us.

Sis, Bun Bun and Emmy, June 2007

Since about 6 months old, Bun Bun has gone everywhere Big Sister. Everywhere. Usually (though earlier photographic evidence is not easily located on the computer at this time), Sis would put Bun Bun's nose in her mouth, give him a crushing hug with both arms, and then carry him around with her teeth as she crawled across the house.

Bun Bun and Sis at story time.

However, there was a period of 2 weeks where we misplaced him at our local Depot. Baby Big Sister was sad and oh, so lonely at nap time. Her limited vocabulary at 14 mos. included, "Buh! Buh!" as she called for him. We laid her down in her crib that first afternoon after fruitless searching. "Buh! Buh!" She was waiting for us to place him in her arms. It was absolutely heart wrenching

Bun Bun and Sis at the pumpkin patch, October 2007

Despite repeated returns to the Depot to trace our steps and ask around, as well as looking at every single local box store for a suitable replacement, we found his identical twin on Ebay and paid far too much to purchase him. We brought him into her crib, saying, "Look! It's Bun Bun!" But the nose wasn't chewed from being held by her teeth as she crawled across the floor. And the fur wasn't quite as matted, because new Bun Bun hadn't yet gone through a wash cycle after a sweet potato incident in the high chair. Baby Big Sister would have none of it. We talked briefly about backing over new Bun Bun with the van. Or putting up Lost:Reward! fliers.

Big Sis pushing Bun Bun and (a very pregnant) Mommy on the swing.

So Daddy made one more stop at the Depot, one more time just in case....

And who do he find? Bun Bun, sitting atop the counter at customer service! They had misplaced our phone number, but remembered our desire to find him and wanted him to be visible right from the entrance.

Baby Big Sister knew the real deal when she saw him, and was elated. We took many photos of their sweet reunion that afternoon (which, for some darn reason, photographic evidence is not easily located on the computer at this time). She just chomped right down on his nose, and gave him an absolute crushing hug with both her arms. No joke, we cried tears of joy.

So that is the story of the irreplaceable Bun Bun, and his adopted twin.