The original crate can be made to look like a cupboard by fitting a lightweight door to the front which is hinged anyway. Don't bin the crate or the foam ect in case you move house. (You'll need a torx bit if it has the original screws)
The picking up part, the spine is very flexible unlike BTs (not the latest BT) or most RDs so the girl can bend and twist in the middle so she could slip down through your arms or she can 'flop' backwards if you're not careful on picking her up / carrying her.
My Lupe has a similar spine and it's just like carrying a real person to an extent.
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