Big Year for the Clan

Something big was in the wind. At Palm Beach, White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger called a special press briefing for 5:30 p.m. A television reporter asked if it would be worth having a TV line stand by, at a cost of $1,200. Indeed it would, assured Salinger. Another newspaperman cornered Senator Ted Kennedy on a Palm Beach tennis court, asked if the big news might be confirmation of the report that the President would go to Ireland this summer. "No," said Teddy, grinning slyly. "It's sexier than that."

History, in a Way. Finally, Salinger made his announcement: Jacqueline Kennedy is expecting her third baby some time in August. Not for 68 years has a child been born to the wife of a President in office. The last was a daughter, Marion, born to Mrs. Grover Cleveland on July 7, 1895. Marion now lives in New York where her husband, the late John Harlan Amen, was a racket-busting U.S. attorney.

Every year is family year in the Kennedy clan, but 1963 figures to be really outstanding. Bobby's wife Ethel is expecting her eighth in July, and Teddy's wife Joan her third in August. With the new White House arrival, that will make a total of 23 grandchildren for Joe and Rose. Since the Kennedy ladies are stylesetters, it may also be quite chic to be pregnant this summer. Joan and Ethel have bought a couple of closetfuls of creations by Manhattan Designer Nancy Herzlinger, a lithe, attractive mother of four. Her Nan Dee maternity clothes are made with four side seams; each releases at the pull of a thread to add inches when they're needed. Jackie insists that she will try to make do with the same wardrobe she wore while John Jr. was on the way.

"Second Hardest Job." This is the First Lady's fifth pregnancy. The first, in 1955, ended in a miscarriage after three months.

Then a baby was stillborn by Caesarean section in 1956. Caroline and John Jr. followed, both by Caesarean. The new arrival, too, will likely be by Caesarean.

Jackie's doctor--a personable Washington obstetrician named John Walsh, who calls Jackie's White House chores "the second hardest job in the U.S."--has recommended that she give up official duties for the duration. Thus the "state visit" to Italy, on which Jackie was scheduled to accompany the President in June, has been postponed until next year. For now, the President will make a "working visit" alone. Last week Lady Bird Johnson took over as hostess for Jackie at a state luncheon for Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands. The President himself will stand in for his wife at a brunch next week with congressional wives.

But Jackie will hardly be idle; Caroline and John Jr. are plenty enough to keep her busy. Caroline, 5, who graduates from kindergarten this year, is growing up; the President, who used to call her "Buttons," now addresses her by her real name. In Washington she often drops in at the President's office and sits in one of the big black wooden chairs beside his desk--just to chat. In Palm Beach she strides hand in hand with her father on shopping sprees along Worth Avenue, and aboard the Honey Fitz she likes to sit with feet dangling over the side and swap stories with the crew.

A Curtsy, a Handshake. John Jr., 2, is at the talking age and often accompanies Caroline on her jaunts; this spring, spurred by an unseasonable 90DEG day, they ventured a quick dip together in the south fountain on the White House grounds. Already he has met more heads of state than most people can name. Only recently, he and Caroline were trundled out in their night clothes to say hello to the King of Morocco before a state dinner. Caro line curtsied and John Jr. shook hands. Indeed, if some brave barber were to trim his Prince Charles hairdo, John F. Kennedy Jr. would look like quite a little man.

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