Visiting my family out of state this week, I have entered a whole new world of Babies R Us. My grandson is twelve weeks old. The days of baby cradle, crib and carriage are long gone. It takes a screwdriver and and a degree in computer science to figure out the contemporary accoutrements vital to the care of infants.
A space age sterilizer, a mattress alarm, a collapsible jogging stroller with built in speakers for an IPod, a carseat designed by engineers for engineer parents, an electric diaper wipe warmer, and Pandora radio streaming lullabies on a Bluetooth Jambox all requiring instructions ( not to mention a password). Grandparents need a tutorial to understand what a Moby, Boppy and Bumbo do. By the time I figure out the origami gymnastics to tie the Moby, the baby will be asking for the keys to my car. I can feel my IQ dropping from toddler music lyrics and my self esteem dropping from not being able to figure out the safety buckles to the car seat. Take a sixteen pound infant, put him in a twenty pound carseat and tote that up a flight of stairs for a baby Bootcamp workout. So glad I brought the big bottle of Motrin for my knees.
Despite the electronics, Liam still loves to be cuddled and rocked the old fashioned way. Sitting with him on the porch this sunny spring day, he was intrigued by the play of light and breeze on young tree leaves. His bright eyes tracked the flight of a butterfly close by. When his mommy arrived home, the sound of her voice brought the first of many smiles. Thankfully, no instructions are necessary to shower this baby with love.
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