Simply amazing so many of us survived with rough wooden cribs, laundry baskets as bassinets and wash cloths dipped in honey as teething rings. I don’t know how I have all my appendages considering the playground equipment I used as a child had metal links, (gasp), and nothing but dirt to cushion my fall. I’m pretty sure that about a month after I have my son his car seat will be recalled, the mattress pad in his crib will be found to have a sort of foam in it that when mixed with certain paints becomes toxic and breast milk will be considered unsanitary. But I’m pretty sure he’ll survive … as long as we have our trusty wipe warmer. Because no son of mine is going to have a cold bottom. Damn the cost or consequences!/Shenelle Kraack, St. Maries Gazette Record. Full column below.

Question: Are you surprised that you survived childhood?

… Sid and Stacy Smith. Smith, the former state Repub exec and spokesman for U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, and his wife (a Boise elementary teacher and former Coeur d’Alene High sports star) welcomed first child, son Taylor Carlin Smith, Friday in Boise. According to Sid’s mother, Ruth, Sid will be in town next Monday to begin his duties as U.S. Sen. Jim Risch’s regional director. The couple has been trying to get back to Coeur d’Alene for years after living in Washington, D.C., and Boise.

… That Councilman MikeK has another little mouth to feed. And baby Ronan (pronounced Ro-nen) James makes 7. Ron — who joines Will 13, Nora 11, Maggie 9, Max 6, Quinn 3, and Jack, who turns 2 Jan. 30 — arrived at 8 pounds 5 ounces and 20.5 inchjes long at 3:22 p.m. Saturday. Of consequence, Mike told Huckleberries, Ronan’s head is 14.5 inches in circumference, which made for a long delivery. Mike said he’s trying to increase the population of Demos in North Idaho. But his wife’s independence could undercut his quest. At the swearing in ceremony for new Prosecutor Barry McHugh this morning, Mike told Barry that his large family is a result of two things — old-fashioned Catholicism and whisky. Dead-panned Barry in return: “You should tell your wife to quit drinking.”