Oh, Baby! by Barbara Quinn

Americo Bret Quinn - 4 days old

My grandson arrived a few days ago. What a joy it is to welcome him to the world and to our family. He may be only a few days old, but he already is himself, a happy, curious, fellow who is remarkably calm considering how much kicking he was doing in the womb. Is there anything sweeter than soft little baby sounds? Those coos balance out the lusty screams. His skin is softer and smoother than velvet.

Americo Bret Quinn (named for my daughter-in-law’s grandfather, Americo,and my son, Bret) is our first grandchild. He was born in White Plains Hospital, which is the same hospital where I gave birth to Bret. That’s also the hospital my father spent most of his last days. I have bittersweet feelings when I roam those halls. How nice it is to have some more happy memories there.

Little Co came at a perfect time. The day my mother-in-law was buried, we received a phone call that Co had decided it was time to bust out of his comfy surroundings. There’s nothing like a new baby to ease the pain of losing a loved one. Only a little over a month ago we lost our nephew, and then my mother-in-law. What a rollercoaster of a ride these past weeks have been. Co is truly a wonderful gift and I have a feeling he’ll be this way throughout his life, showing up whenever and wherever he is needed with a ready smile and a calm hand.

At the hospital we stood around him noting the familiar characteristics: my son’s and husband’s cleft chin and forehead are there, and his fingers are clearly his Mom’s long slender ones. Co also reminds me of my grandfather, who was blindingly white-skinned and freckled, with pale blue eyes and whose large head was passed along to my brother but thankfully not to me. Co’s nose looks to be small and rounded like my Mom’s. That smile of his is going to be blinding, like my daughter-in-law’s. I don’t see myself in his blending of features. But I know I’m there, in his blood and soul.