Zhu-Zhu

Scarlett has been saying lots of words and phrases that we love to hear and love to laugh at, but she also says some things that make me cringe. It started with, "That's scary!" The first time I heard it, I was so surprised. I don't want her to know what that means! I don't want her to be scared! Then a few days ago she blurted out, "Go away!" I promise she didn't get that one from me.

So my mom bought Scarlett a Zhu-Zhu pet, and Scarlett was so afraid of it the first time she saw it. Then seeing it move on it's own was just more than she could handle. "That's scary!" She cried. I secretly agree with her; little hamsters that look kind of real and squeak and run really fast are not my idea of cuddly, fun-loving toys either, but whatever.

I remembered her first Christmas when she so scared of her adorable rocking ladybug that sings and moves its tentacles (or whatever those things are called). But I kept showing it to her, and she finally came around, and now it's one of her favorite toys. So like with the ladybug, I started toy therapy with the Zhu-Zhu. I just kept saying things like, "See Scarlett, it's just a toy" or "See, it's cute like a little bunny!" Finally, she touched it one day. Then she eventually touched his nose, which is one way to make them squeak and chatter. She refers to it as "toy" or "bunny." But then we'd forget about it for a few days and she'd see it and become afraid all over again so I just put it away.

Then this morning she actually asked for it out of the clear blue. "Where'd toy go?" I gave it to her, and she got really brave and held it, kissed it, talked to it, and put it on a truck and pushed it around!

She even wanted him during breakfast.

She served him tea. She said, "He thirsty!"


Then she made him an egg.


Then everything went a bit awry when I touched his back which makes him run across the floor. She didn't like that one bit, but at least we're making some progress! Hang in there little Zhu-Zhu!