‘Because he sure needs a lot of gear’
Poor UPS Guy. He and Amazon Man have run themselves ragged these past few weeks, delivering load after load of baby supplies to our house in Amagansett.
See, I’ve been getting ready for the much-anticipated Thanksgiving visit of The Child and SIL — and our brand spankin’ new GK.
And I have to tell you, that kid needs a LOT of stuff. There’s diapers and wipes, sure. But also changing pads. Bottles and formula, natch. But also a sterilizer. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t mind. In fact, I volunteered to get supplies. They have to fly from San Francisco to get here. The least I can do is rustle up a baby bed.
After all, I figure the easier I make it for them to visit, the more often they’ll want to come. That baby bouncy chair is bait.
The irony of all this acquisition is that I didn’t do any of this for my own baby. See, when I was expecting The Child, I was, well, a bit long in the tooth, motherhood-wise. When you’re pushing forty, it doesn’t make a lot of economical sense to buy a bunch of baby gear that you’ll probably only use for the one baby you’re apt to have.
So I borrowed stuff. Basically everything. I borrowed the crib, I borrowed the car seat. I borrowed the bouncy chair and the swing and, eventually, the highchair. I even borrowed baby clothes. They were hand-me-downs from boy cousins. What with her mostly-blue clothes and mostly-bald head, I got, “What’s his name?” a lot.
Then, once The Child outgrew whatever it was, I gave it back to whomever I borrowed it from. Easy-peasy! Perhaps it would have been nice to have a crib or car seat in the attic to drag out for the GK’s visits, but the technology’s improved so much that we’d probably get arrested for using something so old — and so unsafe. I know that the crib we borrowed thirty years ago would definitely not pass muster. (Those wooden slats are head traps for sure. Yikes!)
So I got stuff. A lot of stuff. I drew the line at a Diaper Genie. (“Um, what’s wrong with garbage bags?”) And a changing table. (“Gee, when you were a baby, we, well, we laid you down on the bed.“) But I knuckled under on a lot of nice new baby gear.
And I did find some nice recycled things in the attic I think he’ll enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving, one and all! “See” you next week.
Amagansett, New York. November 2024
Great article and what a lot of stuff!! Good for you, grandma!
Thank you! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in spite of all the gear (or maybe because of it?!?)
He is so damn cute. Love their expressions. How did they learn those so quickly? Happy Thanksgiving, Alice.
Thank you, Judy! He certainly has an expressive little face. He didn’t learn from me; haven’t been around him enough! Happy T’giving, dear friend xoxo
He looks a little red–or maybe strawberry blond! Adorable. Enjoy your time with him, and Happy Thanksgiving!
He is a redhead, for sure! So fun. Just picked them up from the airport! Looking forward to some Big Fun!!!
So, Alice, you’re just another silly Grandma😄🥰. It’s wonderful, isn’t it?
Yay!!! I love this Gramma Thing SO MUCH! Happy Thanksgiving, Ruth!
I bet you were so happy to have those old stuffed toys to pass on to the GK.
Yes, indeed! They’re even clean!