It all started with the idea that you can send a small care package if adopting a child over 2 years of age. These items are to include a disposable camera, photo book of the family, and a small stuffed animal. So I decide that I'll make her a teddy bear. Remember this one?
Well in the end the "small" teddy bear was really too big to send. Plus I had been reading that many children are not given their packages, especially the stuffed animal. So in the end I simply included pictures of the teddy bear in her photo book, which we will still be sending, and let her personally meet such a bit of knitted loveliness upon her arrival home. It will be waiting on her bed.
However, in spite of the teddy bear not making the journey, it was very fun to make. It's the first thing I have knitted for my daughter while knowing her beautiful face. George helped me stuff it one evening. He affectionately called it Teddy Roosevelt. And if anyone is wondering, George's teddy is knit as well! I just haven't patched and stuffed him yet. But there are no hard feelings between George and Annika's bear, thank goodness.
My mom lovingly got her embroidery machine out of hiding in order to put her Chinese name on a piece of felt. I chose not to embroider her given name so she would be able to recognize it as belonging to her in the orphanage. And even so, I am now glad that it reflects the beginnings who she is.
The boys were all too pleased to pose with the new teddy bear. Hopefully as much as Annika will.
