Babies and Art

Evie had a big day out today. And even though I brought along the camera to take pictures, I did not take any pictures because my mind could only process two things--how is the baby and wow, I am tired. Let me explain why these were the only two thoughts in my head:

I met up with a friend of mine whose baby, Harmony, is two weeks younger than Evie. For our "play date", we elected to go to the Art Museum, because until they can actually PLAY, these play dates are really about what the mamas want to do. So we are feeling like very hip mamas, taking our babies to the Art Museum to revel in our motherhood while pondering Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Degas. But, our little girl was not feeling the Art Museum. In fact, the only feeling she had was some intense gastrointestinal activity. Our cute baby churned out a total of 3 explosively dirty diapers in a matter of an hour and a half. She also expressed her extreme displeasure and pain to everyone in the Annenberg Gallery -- which is where all the Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Degas works are displayed. I never knew how great the acoustics were in the Art Museum; like every other art museum go-er, I try to maintain a socially respectful low volume when around Great Art and Great Art Enthusiasts. As I was trying to determine why she was so upset, I was imagining the echoes of her cries traveling through the galleries into the Modern Art section, through the special exhibits, the European and American Art galleries and rattling the sabers in the Armory room.

Even though I have been repeating to myself "No matter where you are or what you are doing, your baby's needs are not an inconvenience", I couldn't help feeling that first public apology for my baby's shrill crying when I looked around and everyone was staring with disapproval at Evie and I. A female security guard actually glared at me with a look of "Why in the world did you bring an infant to the Art Museum?" I deserve to be at the Art Museum with my baby. Babies are a part of our community, why should we exclude them from the things we enjoy? And new mothers also should not be prevented from participating in community activities because they are caring for new babies, nor should they feel guilty for wanting to be a part of community. It's a double standard for people to want babies among us, but not in places where babies are a felt or heard inconvenience or a disturbance to socially required environmental controls (such as volume). Babies are a part of our lives and they also inspire art! There are wonderful paintings and sculptures of babies in the very rooms where my baby was telling me that something was wrong.

After wiping away new mother anxiety and dirty bottoms with some wet wipes, we went outside to enjoy the wonderful weather, the beautiful scenery of the water, the blossoming flowers and trees and chirping birds. Evie loves the outdoors and showed her love by relaxing and falling asleep almost immediately. My friend and I actually got a pretty good hike pushing strollers up short inclines and walking by the river.

We decided to go back into the museum because it seemed silly to pay $12 for the pleasure of visiting only one gallery. So we went back inside, Evie woke up, and we made a brief trip through Asian Art and called it a day. By the way, she was perfectly quiet and very attentive to her surroundings in Asian Art and when she did start to fuss, the security guards were alot nicer. Evie's friend, Harmony, slept almost the whole time and woke up only a few times to call for her pacifier or eat. I imagine we would have sonically imploded the Art Museum if she had joined in with Evie's cries. Or at least help the security guards develop some compassion for upset babies.