I love me some Sophie the giraffe. And it’s hard now to remember a time before her. Yet it was just six months ago at my baby shower when I opened a gift from my very dear friend and super momma Jessie . . . and saw HER. This little giraffe, looking kinda like a dog toy, staring back. She was so darn cute. Yet only my sister knew who she was. Sophie the giraffe. The cutest teething toy EVA (yes, EVA, slang for the not-as-much-fun “ever”).

Well, Tessa just started teething (for the love!) so Rob and I have been typical new parents in the situation: Google, ask friends, Google, give her Sophie, Google, help! Thankfully, this pattern resulted in some workable solutions, except for Sophie. Again, Sophie is the cutest thing EVA! Why was Tessa not biting her? Tessa stares, smiles and laughs at her – but no biting, dangit (my new mom way of cursing). I would sit with Tessa and bite Sophie myself, then give the giraffe to Tessa who would laugh at it. Sigh…

This was the situation until yesterday. Tessa and I were at brunch with a friend of mine and I was explaining this amazing Sophie toy (much to her dismay, I’m sure). I explained her French origins which is fun because Rob and I were married in Paris and have become collectors of anything with an Eiffel Tower on it (another story). Anyway, as we were running errands on my way to drop off my brunch-mate, little Tessa started shoving Sophie in her mouth. Yup, in her little gummy mouth. This breakthrough didn’t stop there. Tessa now clings to her Sophie: during naps, during stroller rides, and bites on that caramel and white rubber with pleasure. It’s the cutest thing EVA!