What's up with BIG BIRD?

My little "Peanut" has been sick this last week with a fever and croupy cough. This would be one of the reasons I have been away from blogging these last few days. She has needed her mommy! And the other thing she has needed was her ELMO! Shall I explain? Oh, but yes!

During her sickness, she has awaken mid-night/morning with terrible croup. This nasty and scary cough can start up at any moment and last for several minutes without rest. We have ran in the steamy hot-showered bathroom for humidity relief most of these nights. In addition to the humidity treatment, she has requested "ELMO" in the middle of the night. This is the one time we give in. My poor baby is sick and needs a distraction. One good episode at 2AM and then she's good to go back to bed.

Well, Allison particularly likes the Sesame Street DVD, "The Street We Live On." And Jarrett and I have watched this since Annalise was a toddler. We know it by heart!

The last time we saw Big Bird, a familiar dialogue was brought up by my husband (and not for the first time)....

Jarrett: "So, how does he do it? Look at him!"
Jaime: "You mean Big Bird again?"
Jarrett: "Yeah, just look...do you see it...the string?" "Sometimes you see it and sometimes you don't" "What's the deal?"
Jaime: (as we both stare at the TV in amazement) "I don't know!" "I think there's two people inside there."
Jarrett: "I'm starting to believe he's REAL!"

...And so the conversation continues in laughter...I think we've seen too much Sesame Street in the wee hours of the morning!

So I now decide it's time for the truth! No more questions left unanswered!

Drum Roll x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

According to Wikipedia: The Big Bird performer is completely enclosed within the costume and extends his right hand over his head to operate the head and neck of the puppet. The Puppeteer's left hand serves as the Bird's left hand, while the right hand is stuffed and hangs loosely from a fishing line that runs through a loop under the neck and attaches to the wrist of the left hand. For some of the "Journey to Ernie" segments, a second puppeteer (usually Jim Martin) controls Big Bird's right hand.

When you get a chance, see Big Bird perform in this incredible "Journey to Ernie" Video and look in amazement as to what causes fun discussions between my husband and I.

Oh, and by the way...when I showed this explanation to Jarrett...he started shaking his head saying, "NOPE!" That's not it! I don't think that's how it's done. I'm going to have to go back and watch the footage!"

Looks like there is more Sesame Street time for us after all!