ode to axel

meet axel....smith's BFF.  my mom bought this stuffed dog for smith in the 2 weeks before his birth (she was in TN with me for a month: 2 weeks before his birth and 2 weeks after--fabulous!).  at the time, we did not have any expectations of the little yellow dog.  but, now....oh goodness, he plays an important role.  this would be smith's lovie/comfort, etc.  that he needs for naps and bedtime.  i do restrict axel to only sleepy times or special, "keep quiet in the airplane" times.  at first, i was fearful of giving him a 'bath' in the washing machine because the tag, or course, tells you not to.  but after many busy nights comforting smith and visits to daycare...he had a special odor that only smith could love :).  after 1 successful bath, it is now a regular occurrence.  i hope we never lose this little fella, he is basically part of the family.

oh yes.....smith did not name him axel..although he calls him that now.  charlie has loved this name forever.  there is a professional cyclist named axel merckx.  and well, we have a dog named 'merckx' and i would not allow a son named 'axel'.  hence, the name axel found its way to smith's puppy.