Katherine's Country: keeping each other entertained, but safe

The first day of total lockdown was the day that baby Richard (Ricky), my darling grandson, learned to cuddle. He was three months old. Since then, our lives have been defined by routine, which is probably the best way to rear a baby. That morning, I heard Julie wheeling Ricky out so I fetched his bottle from the fridge. While she settled herself to feed him, I picked him out of his pram.

He was all cosy in his baby sleeping bag. He nestled his little head into the nape of my neck and wriggled to get comfortable. He remained still for a few seconds. Then he pulled away and beamed at me as if to say: “Well Granny K, what did you think of that?” Then, he did it again to prove he really had mastered the art of a cuddle. Julie and I exchanged glances. It was a very special milestone.

I passed him into his mother’s arms, whereupon she was also given a special cuddle. Ricky is our rock, our amusement and our absolute joy during this tough time.

Fingers and toes

Today, Ricky is five months old. Every day he learns something new. I guess this pandemic has meant that we have time to notice the detail.

It has been good for Ricky. He has seen far more of his dad, David, than he would have if David was working normally. His eyes light up when he hears his voice. Ricky has five of us talking to him, holding him close, and interacting with him. My son Diarmuid has become confident holding and playing with him. He relishes the title of uncle.

You can see him learning and changing

Ricky sits up with his grandad at breakfast time and dinner time. His bright eyes take in everything and he loves being the centre of attention. You can see him learning and changing. He spent about two weeks totally fascinated with his hands. Clumsily, he’d grab a toy and push it off his high chair accidentally.

Now, as his fine motor skills are developing, his accuracy has improved and things are dumped quite purposefully onto the floor.

He then moved onto other people’s hands. Feeling his little, pudgy fingers exploring mine is magical. This week he has discovered his toes. He is almost sitting up and has been laughing heartily for the last few weeks. Julie decrees that he must not have solid food until at least six months old. That hasn’t stopped his naughty Grandad putting a bit of chocolate spread on his lips! Ricky smacked those lips and his little tongue came out to find more. Julie scolded Tim crossly, so now, every mealtime Tim threatens to give him something. He really wants to give him a chip. Ricky and Grandad spend time together in the office each morning.

He’s a great little fellow, sleeping 10 or 11 hours through the night

Already, Ricky is interested in computers and phones. Again, his mother is trying to keep screens out of his view. But Ricky knows they’re magic. He’s a great little fellow, sleeping 10 or 11 hours through the night.

The relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions since last Monday has given us slivers of hope, but only slivers. We have to be cautious. We have widened our family circle to include my sons Philip and Colm, and their other halves Aileen and Elaine, all of them have been coming and going to the farm and garden.

Colm looked across the table at Ricky. He got up and moved to pick him up. I almost held my breath. This virus is damaging family units. Ricky took a few seconds to respond and then beamed widely. Before the evening was out the other three had succumbed to Ricky’s charm.

The little baby was beside himself with delight, loving the attention

Elaine arrived and couldn’t contain herself with this new permission. Though Ricky was in his pram sleeping; she cradled him up and sat waiting for those eyes to open. The little baby was beside himself with delight, loving the attention. Ricky’s grandparents and the wider Helen family haven’t seen him in nine weeks.

It’s cruel but we’ve all stayed put or stayed away to save lives. Julie did not envisage a maternity leave cooped up inside the house for all these weeks. It was going to be filled with visits to David’s family and cafés between here and west Cork to meet her lovely friends and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Like many others, she has been robbed, but she has endured. David and Julie have one priority now and that is to keep Ricky safe. We’re all on board.