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For those of you that don’t know I have committed the next two months to be a “newborn nanny” for Baby Odin. He is adorable, learning to coo, track faces, smile, and of course poop. I now spend my days completely focused on the care and happiness of another human being. It has been a while as my “baby Ben” is now over six feet tall and will be 22 next week. Ben was born the day before Thanksgiving 1999. And in typical Sandy fashion, I had invited everyone over for dinner because he wasn’t due until December 6th. I had done all the shopping and menu planning; I just wasn’t there to cook it. I felt so guilty I actually left the hospital Thanksgiving morning and went home with a baby born the day before. Looking back, I should have taken the three-night inpatient stay. Babies and families are a lot of work.
Now I have learned to savor these times. Babies grow so fast in the first few months; you blink and you miss something. Baby O can hold a rattle today that he only looked at yesterday. He reaches to grasp fingers and tries to baby talk whenever
I sing to him. Going to the Chapel is his favorite song even though I am tone deaf and not a very good singer. Baby Odin gives me smiles of encouragement anyway.
I have read a lot about the importance of close contact and attention to children’s brain development. I worry that we have missed something in the last two years that will never be replaced. Close contact and development. All of us need to have a connection to someone. Phone calls, Face Time and letters may not fill the void, but I believe it is a start. That is why this column is so special to me. I feel connected to you. I wish we could gather and break bread without thought. Blow out candles on our cakes again without concern and sing loudly with our friends. Can that come again anytime soon?
I know it’s easy to look into a baby’s eyes and see hope. We need to look into the eyes of both our friends and strangers and pass along the message…. I care about you. I want you to be okay. Because Baby Oh Baby, it’s cold outside. Hugs and Peace, Sandy
Sharing food is at the very center of almost all human relationships and bonds. … It builds trust among people sharing the same food. You can achieve decisions and consensus more quickly, you’re more likely to respect each other, and it’s easier to work together. Here are some recipes to make and share.
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