He often recounts tales to me of random babies from his church that "have such tiny feet" and "are walking around holding onto only his fingers!!" Okay, Dad, I don't know these people or their kids, so I'm not sure why I should be excited this, but that's great, I guess. Good for them.... (?)
He even loves babies so much that he said he wanted to sit in the waiting room the entire time I would be in labour, just so he wouldn't miss the first possible moment he would be able to meet his granddaughter. (That didn't end up happening, by the way, because I had to have a scheduled C-section due to Laura being breech. He still came and patiently sat there the whole time I was in surgery, though.)
And now I feel the need to explain my daughter's personality. She is not shy. She is not timid. I know this because we have recently started going to some play groups and, seemingly, she couldn't care less if I was even there. She is adventurous and independent. Afraid of no one or no thing. Except Grandpa.
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| (Not the greatest photo, but you get the idea) |
For whatever reason, and for as long as she has been able to grasp the concept of being terrified by something, Laura has been quite distressed by this man. I don't know if it's his
over-zealous approach, his highly animated face and voice, or what, but something about him just doesn't sit right with her.
If he sits quietly and unobtrusively in the room for a good half hour, she will eventually warm up to him enough for someone she trusts to hold her near him. If he tries to touch her, she gets a
panic-stricken look on her face and buries her head into the holder's neck/ chest.
It's actually really ridiculous.
This past weekend I was at my mom's using her sewing machine while she was watching Laura upstairs. My dad came over for a visit, and as soon as he came into the room, Laura burst into tears and ran to my mom to be picked up and clung to her like her life was in danger. I'm sure it must break his heart a little to cause such a reaction. :(
So he decided to visit with me downstairs instead. We went upstairs together a little while later and the situation played out again much the same. When she thought he was a safe distance, she crossed the room to me and I picked her up. Then we went and sat beside Grandpa on the couch. He said hi, and played some games with her, and taught her where his nose was, but even after all that, she wouldn't leave my lap. It's so strange. She is not like this with anyone else (with the exception of my dad's mother, but eventually Laura even warmed up to her.) *shrugs* I don't get it. Poor Grandpa.
Toby was/is like this with Luke's dad. I dont know if it's just tone of voice, even though the intent is friendly, or what it is. He's a bit better but he still hangs his head and ignores him when he comes into the room. Better than the crying that it used to induce though...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear other people's babies do this, too. :)
ReplyDeleteMakes me worry less.