There are many people across the world who delight in stargazing – watching the heavens and marvelling at the vastness of the universe. In Australia alone we have, on average, 17 eager university students graduating each year with a PhD in astronomy and astrophysics each year, while a further 2000 students study astronomy at regular tertiary level. IceInSpace, an community website for amateur astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere, has almost 8000 registered users. Those statistics don’t even account for all the other millions of people who sporadically stop and point upwards, exclaiming, “Oooh! Look at that twinkly thing in the sky!”

But what about baby-gazing? Isn’t that just as awe-inspiring? Admittedly, while the stars are mostly visible for people all over the world, there are some who just can’t access a baby to gaze upon – those in retirement homes, in prison or at singles resorts. But for the most part, babies are fairly prevalent in our environment. While stargazing draws us to ponder the magnificence of our cosmos and realise how tiny we are, baby-gazing opens our eyes to the wonder of life and growth, on a minute scale.

I often watch my baby as he lies in my arms, admiring his soft, smooth skin and his fine hair. I follow the curve of his cheeks to the roundness of his compact nose and the fullness of his lips. This is exquisite beauty and I am captured.

I know that there are some who love the rich aroma of coffee and will draw a deep breath, gasping with an almost drunken sigh. Others light up when they inhale the scent of a decadent chocolate dessert. Still others go weak at the knees enveloped in the vapours of a certain perfume.

My current indulgence is to nuzzle the head of my baby. His hair and scalp exudes the essence of innocence and purity, while touching his delicate skin is like stroking the petal of a rose. And just like appreciating a rich dessert, I savour this time with him. All too soon, he will be running away, covered and mud and grass and wiping his face from my kisses. Yuk - Mummy germs! 

So while I acknowledge the benefits of watching the sparkles of the universe, I am content to sit and gaze at the bright new life within my own home. 

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