Gilroy Today 2010 06 Summer | Page 16

Growing up in Gilroy
Growing up in Gilroy
By Kelly Barbazette

Hi ! My name is Riley .

“ Growing up in Gilroy ” is an ongoing series that gives readers a glimpse of Gilroy ’ s resources , services and businesses that benefit children and families .

I see a rush of light and friendly faces as I enter the world at St . Louise Regional Hospital . I am washed and bundled snugly before being placed in my Mommy and Daddy ’ s arms .

My name is Riley . I ’ m new to Gilroy and can ’ t wait to discover all of the wonderful people and places that make our town a special place to live .
I am well on my way the next day when my Mommy buckles me into my car seat . Daddy drives our new little family home . I can see the sunlight washing over the green hills of Gilroy and up ahead balloons bobbing in the breeze . Our neighbors tied them onto our mailbox a day earlier to signal my arrival .
The first few days are quiet ones as Mommy and Daddy get to know me and learn to be parents . My Mommy takes me to the Breastfeeding Support Group at St . Louise Regional Hospital . Mommies rock their babies while a lactation consultant talks about breastfeeding and gives the mommies some useful advice . I ’ m weighed and after I eat I ’ m weighed again . My Mommy wants to make sure I ’ m getting enough to eat ! It ’ s a calm , warm , supportive place .
The next week is a busy one as I visit with my parents ’ friends , neighbors , family members and co-workers who are so excited to see me . I begin to recognize familiar faces when we run into friends at Nob Hill or go for a walk on the levee near Christmas Hill Park .
The next week , we meet a group of Moms from Las Madres at Sue ’ s Coffee on the corner of Fifth & Monterey Streets . The moms talk about diaper rash , feeding times and trying to find time to sleep . It ’ s a sunny day , so we walk to the newly opened Gilroy Library on Monterey Street . My Mommy says it ’ s a temporary location until the new one is completed . But it ’ s full of books , computers , and helpful librarians . I can ’ t wait to come back and check out books when I ’ m a big kid !
Mommy dresses me up in a special outfit a few days later . I wonder where we are going ? We drive to downtown Gilroy where other families are lining the streets . Mommy tells me a parade is about to start to remember all of the men and women who died protecting our country .
Sure enough , vehicles carrying police officers and fire fighters rumble down the street followed by Boy Scouts , Girl Scouts , Cub and Brownies and floats by many local groups . There ’ s so much to see – what an amazing day !
A couple weeks later , Mommy and Daddy show me off to
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