We have two Bumpers floating around now, and we took one to Charlottesville this weekend. Where we promptly lost it (I suspect it was thrown away in the big party clean-up). We weren't able to find the other one on our return, and Nate managed to get to sleep without it last night.
But tonight he was having trouble, and near tears. I told him: "You can suck your thumb anyway, you don't need Bumper to do that." He looked even sadder, and said "It just tastes so bad without Bumper!"
I did another search and found him. It's amazing how glad I feel when I can do something really really good for the boys. I brought him in to Nate and pulled him out; Nate smiled, and really quietly said "Thanks Mom." I tucked Bumper in with Nate, thumb went right into his mouth, eyes closed.
Peace.