"The arrival of Buffy's baby" is a story arc during the eighth season of Sesame Street.
Following the real-life marriage of Buffy Sainte-Marie and Sheldon Peters Wolfchild and the birth of their son Cody, the writers of Sesame Street decided to work this into the program, and in turn show the complex emotions that children may have with new siblings. Over the course of these episodes, Big Bird portrays the surrogate big brother when he frequently keeps Buffy company during her stay, calling her his best friend (next to Snuffy, of course). Once Sheldon and Cody arrive from their home in Hawaii, Big Bird finds that he doesn't have enough time with Buffy as she needs to care for Cody. Eventually he gets very angry at Buffy and resents Cody, but Buffy explains that it doesn't mean that she doesn't love Big Bird or care for him any less; she has "different kinds of love" for Big Bird and Cody, expressed in the song "Different People, Different Ways." By the end of the season, Big Bird has grown attached to Cody and accepts him into the Sesame Street family.
The following year, the gang would return the favor of a family visit with Buffy and Sheldon inviting them on a trip to Hawaii to celebrate Cody's first birthday.
Episodes[]
| Picture | Description |
|---|---|
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Episode 1010 Buffy announces she's pregnant through a letter sent to Maria. |
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Episode 1021 Buffy announces the birth of Cody; Big Bird thinks he may be pregnant. |
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Episode 1027 Buffy arrives at Sesame Street; Big Bird feels left out and useless in helping with her return. |
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Episode 1028 Big Bird sets up a lunch date for him, Buffy, and Snuffy; Snuffy doesn't arrive, but Buffy believes he exists anyways; Big Bird declares Buffy his "other best friend." |
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Episode 1030 Big Bird spends the day with Buffy, who explains that soon she won't have as much time to spend with him. |
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Episode 1032 Simon Soundman and Snuffy get gifts for baby Cody. |
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Episode 1034 Olivia explains that babies can't do the same things that Big Bird can; Big Bird assumes he'll be moving in with Buffy and her family. |
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Episode 1035 Sheldon and Cody arrive; Big Bird already notices the changes that come with having a new baby around. |
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Episode 1037 Things come to a head and Big Bird admits to being jealous of Cody; Buffy explains that she loves both of them in different ways, and hasn't forgotten about Big Bird. |
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Episode 1040 Buffy calls Big Bird grouchy, so he starts behaving as such in retaliation to the presence of Cody. |
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Episode 1041 Big Bird's attitude toward Cody changes, as he sings "He's Smaller Than Me" and watches Buffy breastfeed. |
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Episode 1043 Big Bird and Sheldon draw pictures together; Linda takes care of Cody while Buffy and Sheldon are gone. |
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Episode 1045 The second half of the episode focuses on the Wolfchild family's return to Hawaii. |