Thank you, Lucy

Dearest Lucy, 

Thank you for your crazy antics as Lucy Ricardo that bring so much laughter to my life. Thank you for your strong will which kept you going when times were tough, when the world was seemingly against you. Thank you for your hot and cold relationship with Desi. Even when it was "cold" you still loved each other like no one has ever loved before. Thank you for your sweet relationship with Lucie and Desi Jr. Thank you for always keeping that fiery spirit even as you aged. Thank you for always keeping up with your henna rinses, for that was the Lucy we adored. Thank you for Stone Pillow, no explanation needed. Thank you for introducing me to Carole Lombard, for I adore her in many of the ways I adore you. Thank you for spending your summers in Del Mar. I envision you there each time I go. Thank you for writing down your life story. It is a pleasure (and a sorrow at times) reading about your childhood and the early years in your career. 

A home movie still, 1940s

Glamorous Lucille, 1930s

Studying a script, 1960s

Trying to make Desi Jr smile after his baptism, 1950s

 Lucy, thank you for being my happy place. Thank you for being brave. Thank you for being you.

Happy Birthday, Darling.

Love,

The "I Love Lucy Baby" Doll

In I Love Lucy's second season, it was discovered that Lucille Ball was pregnant with her second child, and, unlike her first pregnancy, it was incorporated into the show's storyline. The audience got to see every pratfall and pregnancy woe that Lucy Ricardo experienced!! 

In the December 15, 1952 episode "Pregnant Women Are Unpredictable," Ricky walks in on Lucy in the living room with a baby doll, practicing bathing and diapering the baby. 

This baby doll was the very one American Character issued for the Christmas season in 1952. What better way to sell your product than to have Lucy Ricardo herself playing with it?! The doll was not gender specific, as the gender of the Ricardo's baby would not be revealed until its birth. 

The "I Love Lucy Baby" originally sold for $9.98 in a variety of department stores across the United States, from Higbee's in Cleveland to Macy's in Kansas City. The baby was advertised as 16" tall and could bathe, blow bubbles, and cry real tears! Take a look!

You will see Lucy and Desi play Poppy and Mommy

with this wonderfully lifelike doll on the I Love Lucy T.V. 

show...You will see Lucy feed it, diaper it, and watch it cry real tears,

pacify it... YOUR little girl too can do all these things with the 

"I Love Lucy Baby".

She drinks, wets, blows bubbles, can be bathed, CRIES with a 

lusty voice and real tears. 16" tall, moulded rubber with plastic head,

beautifully dressed, complete with gift box with a drawerful of baby necessaries.

I adore the wording of this vintage ad... "lusty voice" and "baby necessaries"!  We never see these type of advertisements today. Vintage ads are so fantastic.

What do you think? Would you have wanted this baby doll if you were a little girl in 1952? I know I would!!

Until next time,

Tuesday Teaser: the Lucille Ball Edition

It's almost time for another Throwback Thursday blog post about another fun adventure we took! In the meantime, I'll just leave a few photos here to get you ready!! Any guesses where we went? 

Just in time to celebrate the 62nd birthday of I Love Lucy! 

Enjoy your day!

♥Rachel

*All photos courtesy of a Google image search. If they are yours & you wish for me to remove them, please email me!*