Isla and Everett Elam: 'EARS the Situation

Isla has a thing with ears...she likes to grab them. Not just her ears, although that is what usually soothes her to sleep, but she likes daddy's, mommy's, family's, friend's and even her own dog's ears. She reaches for an ear much more when she is tired or upset, but we've also noticed that it is her comfort in almost any situation. She doesn't have a blankie or a stuffed animal...just give her an ear and she is good to go.

Isla falling asleep with Bella while holding her ear. Isla with Unce Rhett!

Sometimes it is a gentle grasp of your ear as she massages her fingers all over, exploring it to a whole new level then you knew possible...and sometimes you will get a significant YANK or even better, a good pinch to the ear in which you might want to scream holy moly! Some people may think that since ears are made of cartilage it probably doesn't not hurt that bad, but those people haven't met Isla Marie! Leave it to Isla who can sometimes make it so painful that she can draw out a flinch, scream or even blood from your ear. Most recently she has discovered a technique in which we call her a human Q-Tip. She takes her pointer finger (and sometimes her thumb) and sticks it as far into your ear as possible. This is what I prefer as it seems to be less chance of her causing me pain as she hasn't quite discovered how far she can actually push her finger in.

Daddy has had it the worst in the pain department. She is usually pretty gentle with my ear, but Daddy's ear is close to the 'plastic surgery is needed' phase. In fact, one morning I woke up and asked him if he had a nose bleed in the middle of the night as I noticed a significant amount of blood on his pillow. He shook his head and said, "no, no that would be my ear...Isla broke the skin last night with her finger nail". OUCH!

It has become such a normalicy in our life that we really don't even noticed it anymore... until we are in public--restaurants, post office, mall etc. and someone will say, "is she holding your ear?" That's when we realize that it isn't the most normal of tendencies, but it is pretty cute the way she latches on to you in order to feel comfort.

There are days we think about her at 16 driving with one hand on the wheel and one hand on her ear, or having her first dance at her wedding while holding on to her groom's ear. I could see long term habits forming here :) haha!