Monkey Business

My youngest granddaughter made her debut on Pi Day, which is also the birthday of Albert Einstein, which is March 14. March in Massachusetts is a tricky month which can veer from warmish to cold to a day like today with nearly a foot of snow on the ground.
Babies are small creatures and small creatures have trouble regulating their temperatures. Besides, this March is just plain cold. In other words, babies need sweaters. I asked my daughter, who decided not to learn her baby’s gender in advance, whether she had a sweater for the baby. She did not.
After leaving the hospital, I visited a very posh children’s clothing store in one of Boston’s further suburbs. There is nothing wrong with the store but it will remain nameless. I found a baby sweater and matching stocking cap in 100% cotton, made in China. The price was $ 30. That was my budgeted amount. The price wasn’t what made me decide to continue looking it was the fact that the sweater was Pepto Abysmal Pink and was completely cable-​stitched. My granddaughter is not a Buffy and while my daughter and her husband are well educated professionals, they are not «preppies.» A sweater whose style and color I preferred would have set me back $ 64.
I went searching for what I think is an essential garment, even for a baby who debuts in the summer heat (babies do get taken to air-​conditioned places). I was told that sweater season was over, but, I was wearing a sweater. If I need one, baby does as well.
I hit Marshall’s and TJMaxx where I saw bathing suits and short sleeved clothing in summery prints. I went on-​line and scanned offerings from chain stores which were expensive and, often, ugly. A fake fur vest in a «Fair Isle» pattern for a newborn!!!
Then, I took out the Yellow Pages and found Monkey Business, a shop I have often driven past on my way back from Worcester or Boston. I called. «Do you have sweaters for newborns?» The store does!
The selection was terrific and because spring was almost here, long sleeved garments were on sale. I left with not one, not two but three sweaters. I bought the only newborn sweater for girls, a bright pink (I love pink, just not the Pepto Abysmal shade) cardigan in a fashionable «swing» style, with three buttons placed high on the sweater and a flaring, A-​line shape which means the sweater did not have to come off during diaper changes.
I also purchased a pale pink sweater with an attached hood with a back zipper, the exact style that was my favorite when my daughter was an infant. My third purchase was a lovely lavendar cardigan with a scalloped trim and ribbon embroidery on the yoke that will be perfect for early fall and into winter.
Hiss, boo to the merchants who told me sweater season was over.
Frankly, I am not going to look for other infant clothing anywhere else but Monkey Business. The store is packed with great clothing and the prices are reasonable. The shop is child friendly and the young woman who waited on me was very nice. What more could a grandmother ask?