Assume the Perpendicular

Eleanor is definitely a mama’s girl, and a shy one at that. She is not the kind of baby who is game to be passed around from adoring relative to adoring relative. She clings tightly to me, and if anyone she deems a stranger gets too close, she tucks her head down on my shoulder and grips my shirt tight in her little hands. Of course I am flattered, but it has made our last two visits to Phoenix difficult.

She has to many family members who want to hold her and hug her and play with her, but so much as a pat on the cheek is enough to cause tears. She does alright around my family. She is almost always happy to be held for at least a little while by my mom or my sisters, but that’s about it. Grandpa (my dad) is a bit scary, and same goes for all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Andrew’s family has it worse. Any time his mom tried to cuddle her, she screamed. Any time his dad tried to kiss her, she bawled. When each time one of them tried to hold her she would immediately burst into tears, and then stop just as quickly when she was back in my arms.

They laughed at her antics, but it made me worry that they blame me for her shyness. I know some babies are just that way, but could the fact that she and I spend all of our time together and do very little socializing be contributing? She is so used to quiet, calm days with just mommy. All of the chaos of traveling, celebrating, and visiting really threw her out of whack, making her even more clingy than usual. I’m going to try to make her next few days really peaceful and relaxing, full of nursing and napping and cuddling in order to bring her back to her normal sweet, silly self. I’m crossing my fingers that she’ll feel a bit more friendly next time.