If at first he doesn't succeed...

I watched our Smallest Crew trying to retrieve his own "soother" last night. Very small hands grasped clumsily for it, held it awkwardly, then jerkily moved it mouth-wards, tiny brows furrowed with concentration.

Several times the prize fell; but each time, little hands caught and brought it back. Eventually, it made it right into the waiting mouth, in the correct orientation... but as the hands fell back, a finger caught in a handle, and the soother went flying...

Slow and clumsy, but persistent, and improving. The Captain and I were very impressed.