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Apr 14 2009

Let's make the baby cry

Category: Kids & Growing Up


Since Lucie had colic as an infant normal baby soothing activities like warm baths and infant massage didn't work. Her quirks included not liking to sleep in the dark or in her Pack 'n' Play. So for the first few months of her life, she slept in her car seat next to my bed with a night light shining in her face. Considering she had reflux, being upright was probably more comfortable for her.

The things I'd do to calm Nathan as an infant, like holding him, didn't work for her. I had to learn a brand new bag of baby taming tricks. Tips from "The Happiest Baby on the Block" Web site like swaddling helped. But there were many evenings I'd strap a fussy, crying Lucie in her vibrating bouncy seat and make Nathan sing the University of Colorado fight song to her. The vibration and Nathan's boisterous rendition would usually quiet her.

Then there was her relationship with her father. Baby Lucie didn't like her daddy. The first evening I left Paul in charge of her by himself, I came home to find him a complete wreck. He confessed that going to work was much easier than taking care of Lucie. Only Nathan calmly survived the evening having advised his father, "Dad, it's o.k. Just put her in the bouncy seat and let her cry."
But it wasn't only that evening. Occasionally, I'd hand her off to her dad to hold. As soon as I'd give her to Paul, she'd start crying. Once she was given back to me, she'd stop. We called this the Let's Make the Baby Cry Game. She only wanted me to hold her. Honestly, I didn't mind that much. It was kind of neat to have such magical mama powers.

Paul's mother had even more amazing Nana powers. The first day she came to visit, she picked Lucie up and THERE WAS NO CRYING. We were shocked. Then Lucie cuddled up and fell asleep on her. She wouldn't do this even for me. Paul was amazed. I was chagrined.

Luckily for us, Lucie quickly grew out of her colic, and slowly warmed up to her dad. They're best buddies and often play together, reading books, having tea parties, and with lots of time for kisses, tickles, and hugs.