Because Everyone Should Own a Baby With a Signature On It's Rump

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Today I am "chiming in" with my friend Lisa over at BoondockRamblings.com.

The topic? A toy from childhood.

Let me begin by saying that I am a child of the 80's. Or, should I say the 90's? I remember the 90's the most. Actually, I don't know which decade best describes me. I graduated from high school in 1992, so I think that makes me a late 80's, early 90's kind of gal.

I actually did a little googling to see which decade describes my childhood. I discovered it was in the 80's that they decided seat belts were good and smoking was bad. Like, duh! The 80's were also known for shoulder pads and big hair. Now we're talking! I was queen of the BIG bangs. Can you say, "Aqua Net?" Oh, yeah. Good times. And, good thing I knew smoking was bad, because I could have caught my hair on fire in, like, 2 seconds flat!

But, I did tease my hair and made sure my shoulder pads were properly placed on my way to watch 90210 with a group of friends every Thursday night.

THAT was so 90's.

And, let's not forget about watching Seinfeld and Friends in my college apartment. Nurse Boy and I were so Ross and Rachel. Until he cheated, that is. (Ross, not Nurse Boy.) But, Nurse Boy wasn't as nerdy as Ross and I wasn't as pretty as Rachel. And, we were college students living in Bloomington, IN. Come to think of it, never mind.

My point...and, believe it or not, I do have one...I think I am a child of both the 80's and the 90's, but was born in the 70's.

I was entering my preteen years when our nation entered the Cabbage Patch Kid craze. It was a time when the stores couldn't keep them in stock. It was a time when women and children were willing to trample anyone or anything that might prevent them from purchasing one of those treasured dolls with a signature on it's plush rump.

Of course, I wanted one. Had to have one, in fact. I had a doll collection and it seemed only natural to add a Cabbage Patch Doll to the mix of plastic faces on display in my room.

I got my doll in 1984. My parents payed $28.88. That was a lot of money for a doll in 1984. Frankly, I think you can buy them for a lot less today.

I know, I know. It's not the same.

Plus, you don't have to trample anyone to buy one. Bummer.

My doll came with the name, Genevieve Kacie. She stayed in her box until last weekend. Yes, you read that right. Remember, she was a part of my doll collection. I decided to keep her in excellent condition in hopes that she would increase in value over time. Maybe she would pay for my first car.

Hey, I was young. Don't laugh. It was my first "investment."

Last Saturday I took Baby "Gen" out of her yellowed box and handed her to Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea's entire face lit up and the two of them have been inseparable ever since.

I think Baby Gen is thrilled to be out of her box. It turns out she WAS worth more than I thought.

After all, 25 years later, she put a smile on my daughter's face.