Wednesday, February 14, 2007

lesson



I have realized this week that there is a lesson to be learned in traveling a lot. Over the past three weeks Miss. A has been traveling quite a bit and I believe it has caught up with both her and I. About three weeks ago she flew to Montana with her grandfather for four days and the report was that she had an amazing time. She returned in good spirits despite her new found obsession with babies and waking up a bit early. Once she returned we were able to enjoy a fun-filled week at home and then went back on the road for a few days to Seattle. Only to return and send her to the grandparents for three days. I have now realized that it may have been a bit much for her. On all accounts she did an amazing job of transitioning from one place to another and had a wonderful time while there but now it is different. It actually took me most of this week filled with frustration to figure out that she may have been a bit overly stimulated by the events.



This past week since being home she has needed to be attached to my side. Wanting me to follow her throughout the house, most of the time saying 'hand' so that I would then have to hold her hand on our excursions. At first it was fun being right by her side. I too had missed playing together and enjoying her company. But soon I grew frustrated as she would become mad if I was doing anything other then giving her my full and undivided attention. She would rip a paper out of my hands if I was reading or push me away from the counter if I was making dinner or washing dishes. On most days by the time she went down for a nap I would just sit there spinning my wheels because there was so much I wanted to get done that little actually got accomplished. Yesterday I finally realized that thought I had thought it was a developmental stage she was in, and it may be, it struck me that her behavior may be due not only to knowing that I would not leave her but that for three weeks she had experienced the undivided attention of friends, family and relatives. I am still a bit unsure about how to get that happy old Miss. A back, the one who would be happy to sit in her room and read books on her own or play with her toys for a bit while I finished a task. For now I just feel a little bit better with a new outlook on why she may be acting this way. I hope that as this stage passes more will get accomplished around here.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh, that face is enough to break your heart! poor baby. cuddle her lots and she'll be back to herself soon, i'm sure!
it is hard when they go through these stages - just remember how fast they change/grow, though.

Anonymous said...

She looks so sad. Poor wee one.

Hopefully, it will pass. Actually, I'm SURE it will. Just hang in there for the duration. :)

Anonymous said...

Are you really saying that you - her mother - didn't fly to Montana with her? Only her grandfather? She's way too young, please don't leave her like that ;( She doesn't trust that you'd stay beside her for now; it takes time to grow that confidence back... But it'll grow, you must be patient now.

Anonymous said...

Poor little dear. Life has been a bit of a whirlwind for her lately. My son went through this at 2 and a half. Hubby and I went on vacation and left him with is grandparents. When I returned, he was really terrified everytime I wasn't within view. Patience, mama...and lots of reassurance, and she'll relax again. I know it's hard when there's a to do list as long as your arm...

amy h said...

Aw, look at those fat tears! We go through this kind of thing anytime we take a trip or someone comes to visit. It takes us at least a week per incident to get back to a normal routine -- sometimes longer. Routine = happy baby around here, so it just takes some time. She'll be back soon. :)

MWM said...

even unhappy, she sure is darn cute:)
I look the same way when I have to travel alot too.