Oh, I remember the days. I remember the days, when the anticipated arrival of each of our children meant reintroducing ourselves to new baby product innovations. The new model Diaper Genie, evolution of Fisher Price Little People, baby monitor upgrades, car seat safety enhancements, these were all developments very familiar to us. We evaluated each new baby technology, determined if it seemed necessary, either purchased it or shrugged, and went about our days. Well, with our youngest boy Ben entering Kindergarten, we have been out of the baby loop for a while now.
That is why I could not answer our 10-year-old Jacob’s question, as we passed one of the sale shelves at Target, “What is a ‘Baby Band?’” Indeed, what is a “Baby Band?” Contrary to popular opinion, it has nothing to do with singing babies, but rather it is a wrap that you place around the expectant mother’s belly that protects the fetus from radiation sources such as microwaves, cell phones, and I don’t know what else, perhaps the Sun. Shrugging, we continued with our shopping.
As we strolled the aisle, 5-year-old Ben experienced his usual volume control issues, 7-year-old Sam displayed his usual tendency of walking into me, and 10-year-old Jacob exhibited a new behavior that will hopefully end soon. Saying hello to a gentleman that I casually know, but could not immediately place, Jacob began asking loudly within the man’s earshot, “Who is that? What’s his name?” Walking away, I tried to give my old mind time to remember, but there was no buying time with Jacob. “Who is that? What’s his name?,” he continued. His brothers soon joined in, as if it was very important that they know and apparently urgent to their wellbeing. Unfortunately, the continued questioning was not only mildly embarrassing, but also further slowed down my recall. “Give me a moment,” I pitifully responded. Then it hit me, not only the name, but also perhaps the source of these child tendencies. When my boys were on the way, what if the baby band had been around? Would they still act like this? Would they still be rolling around on the floor in the middle of the store aisles? What if the baby band had been there, as a source of early intervention? What if, indeed. Give me a moment, while I try to think about it.