Hunter's Pooh Bear

This is the story of a little girl named Hunter and her "Pooh Bear."

Hunter is Melissa's 23 month old niece, who along with her dad,(Melissa's brother) her mom and her Yaya (Melissa's mother) visited us over the Columbus day weekend. It was the very first time Jeff had been north of the Mason Dixon line and the first time he has visited Melissa for a weekend. His main concern was the inability to carry a gun in DC.

Anyway, I pick the family up at the airport as Melissa waits at home. The weather really is dreary and the traffic is horrible. What normally takes about 45 minutes took us almost 2 hours. There was a slight detour as I got lost. However, Hunter was smart enough to pull out an area map and try to navigate, remember she is only 23 months old and she already knows I cannot drive and talk at the same time.

We get home and Hunter has about 30 minutes out of the car seat, before we head out for dinner. We go to America's which is a loud, kid friendly place and Hunter has a blast.

The next day, we travel around the city after I return from running a couple of errands and try to go to the Air and Space museum. Well, Melissa, her mom, Jeff, Mandy and Hunter all get to see the museum, I could not find parking. I tell them to have fun and call me when they are done. I go grab a bite to eat, because I know I will not want a cold fish sandwich from McDonald's (thank you Lalla anyway).

While I am out, I pick up a small toy for Hunter and four little books, as I figured it would be a way to entertain Hunter as we drove around trying to see the monuments through the rain streaked window. Jeff and Mandy were able to see the Lincoln Memorial and a couple of other spots before it was time for dinner.

The next day, I am showing Hunter photographs on my computer and I am asking her, "who is that?" She successfully names everyone, except for me. She will not say my name, which is fine, because she has only seen me a handful of times.

It is then time for me to get ready for another baby shower. As I am standing at the top of the stairs looking down, I see Hunter and Lalla working their way up. When Hunter sees me, she suddenly yells, "Pooh Bear!" and points at me. Lalla says to Hunter, "Say Carleh." Hunter replies, "Pooh Bear."

Thus I have become Pooh bear. I confirmed this name later in the day, when I took her, Jeff and Mandy back to the airport. Hunter jumped in my arms, patted my face, said "Pooh Bear" and gave me "pisses" (which are kisses). She even sent home "pisses for Missy," which is what everyone in Melissa's family calls her.

I am perplexed as to why Hunter decided I am Pooh Bear, but ever so grateful I have a special name. The closest explanation I can offer is she has decided I am "ever so forgetful" or "not a very smart bear," as I got lost coming home from the airport.

The best explanation and the one I like the best is to her I am a "silly ole bear," as Christopher Robins would say. I am very silly with Hunter and she seems to have a good time when I am around.

I am very happy and so very blessed to be Hunter's Pooh Bear.