Traditions

Iain is learning how we do things around here. It's important to learn those lessons, since even Charles and I admit we're a tiny bit...rigid.

So Iain has gotten used to the fact that before dinner we sit at the bar and talk while Mommy cooks. We also listen to the radio, and sometimes one person talks while everyone else ignores him/her to listen to what the radio is saying. After that, everyone is annoyed but pretends not to be ("I was trying to listen to the radio!" "I was trying to tell you something!").

He's also learned what we do with catalogues. Since he was a tiny baby (ok, he was never "tiny," but let's just say since he weighed less than 15 lbs.), Iain has been exposed to "books." Sometimes, these are actually books. But other times, they're catalogues.

I figure: 1. They are free; 2. New ones come nearly every day; 3. If I don't use them for something they just go in the trash (this is the eco-argument); 4. They're full of pretty pictures and color and shapes; and 5. Iain puts books in his mouth, so it's better to give him things that won't be harmed by a little spit.

Hence, catalogues are "books." We read them together. Today, he was totally bogarting the Williams-Sonoma catalogue, and I really wanted to read all about the minty malted milk balls. So I set him next to me on the living room sofa, gave him the MOMA Design Store catalogue and the LL Bean catalogue ("Son, one day we'll buy you a backpack there. Everyone does. It's just a matter of time."), and went back to my own "reading." We spent a nice 20 minutes looking at the pictures and thinking about whether buying a set of knives for $1200 seems like a good idea. (Here's a hint, Williams-Sonoma: no.)

I've read that children like structure, predictability. So - see? - we're giving Iain that by inculcating our favorite rituals into his babyhood. It's only a matter of time before I hear him say "Don't do it that way. Don't you want to do it right?" Just like Mommy.