Why Pockets?

This time of year, the assignment foisted upon parents, grandparents, and all manner of friends is to find—and usually buy—gifts for the little ones. In the Wyllie household, it’s a little different.

For Penelope and me, occasions like Chanukah and Christmas have about the same emotional and spiritual gravitas as President’s Day. Sure, we’ll nod to the tradition of the giving season—after all, it’s become a force of nature in the American cultural consciousness—but we’re really gearing up to celebrate the day wee Finn Gunn was born.

For us, Chrismukkah will forever be prelude to the big event on December 29th.

While I have no interest in ending naked consumerism or object-based happiness, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the name of this website: “What every baby needs.”

More accurately, I’ve been thinking about the stuff that no baby needs.

For me, the thing that tops the list is pockets—especially pockets that have velcro, buttons, snaps, and zippers. I don’t know about your baby, but my son does not yet carry a wallet, keys, or a mobile phone. He doesn’t need 5.11 tactical pants for all his “gear.”
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Musings of a Grandpa

Well there is nothing better than being a grandparent. Nothing can describe the feeling that one gets when they hold their newborn grandchild for the first time. It’s like looking into the future. You see yourself as a child, you think about your children who now adults are having their own children and you think about the generations to come. It makes you feel that your life has come full circle. You are a proud parent and a prouder grandparent.

I remember when my daughter first told me she was going to have a baby. She gave me a card with the first picture of our new grand child - a sonogram of a 12 week old baby. To say I was excited is an understatement.

She got a little more creative next time around. She sent me an email with a photo attached. No message just the picture of my granddaughter standing with a gigantic smile on her face and a tee shirt that read “I’m the big sister.” She got us!

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