We are an offbeat family.So far, Emelia has only about ten stuffed animals and half of them are monsters. Before she was born, I got her the alien and the Loch Ness Monster because they were cute and unconventional. I meant nothing by them. I just liked them. It wasn't until Aaron's cousin Jeff got involved that the monster thing took on meaning.
Jeff decided that Emelia should learn to embrace monsters rather than be afraid of them, so he got her a C'Thulhu puppet and a C'Thulhu Christmas tree ornament (not pictured, but it has a Santa hat and golden balls on its tentacles). I've never read any H.P. Lovecraft, but I'm told that C'Thulhu is basically the most evil of all monsters that ever were and ever will be. But he makes a cute stuffed animal.
My sister Susie then got into the game by getting her a monster toy, as well. She thought Jeff was right on the money. The monster she got has eyes that pop out, and you can open his mouth, torso and head and pull stuffed pieces out. He has a brain and a bat in his belfry; a frog in his throat; a foot in his mouth; a stomach and a heart; and a toe that comes off. It sounds strange and gross, but it's really completely non-offensive and kinda funny. I actually think Emelia will love it when she gets old enough to actually notice it.
My mother didn't know she was contributing to a trend, but she provided the coup de grace with a spider baby toy. I know it's not exactly a monster, but it's something that people are usually afraid of, so I count it among the monsters.
So Emelia's monster collection is well underway, and she sure looks cute surrounded by them. I'm sure some or all of them will be her friends as she grows up, but who knows if they'll keep her from being afraid of scary things. I can't imagine there are many babies out there with monster collections. I've decided, though, that the C'Thulhu puppet will make a good constant to show her growth, so expect to see more of him in the future.
With us as parents, the poor kid was sure to be a little unusual. This is certainly only the beginning . . . .
