Infant Interactions

It is amazing how much your interests change after having children. Much the same as changing diapers, the smell of poop, and Baby Einstein, watching really young kids interact with each other is not something I can say ever really peaked my interest before I was a father.

Since becoming a Dad, however, I have been fascinated to see how little children react to each other. At 4 1/2 months old, all Gemma really does is stare at any child that is near her, but all kids aged 3 and under seem to be attracted to the baby. Her 1st day at Daycare, all the other kids crowded around Gemma, fussing over her saying how cute she was.

This was great, but left Henry, who had always been the center of attention standing on his own without anyone around him. The obvious jealousy issue became a problem, and I completely understood.

Henry has a good friend, Ben, who is a few months older than him. These guys have been playing together since Henry was about 6 months old. Their reaction to each other had changed dramatically though. Initially, Henry and Ben both kind of played in the same area, but really did not acknowledge each others existence outside of trying not to play with the same toy or pick up the wrong pacifier.

As Henry reached a year old, and started to walk, the 2 kids began to interact a little more, playing with the same toys, or following each other around the house. This was when the occasionally fight over toys began.

Then there was a slightly scary, but also rather funny incident when Henry hit Ben over the head with a piano. The weird thing was that as painful as it looks, Ben just kept on playing without crying (What a little trooper). If Ben's Mum, Christie is reading this, I would like to apologize for using Ben's pain for humor, and you will be glad to know Henry has not hit anyone with a piano since. He has learned the lesson that you should not hit people with a piano, something I did not plan on having to teach my kids.

Anyway, after Gemma came along, Henry was always excited to see his friends, but the friends were more excited to see Gemma. They would run over to Gemma and look at her crib, which Henry tried to get their attention. I felt for Henry at this time, since I am sure it was rough for him, but he has come out of it now a stronger young man.

This last weekend, Ben came over to play with Henry. The 2 of them gallivanted so happily in the back yard, and for the first time that I have seen, really played together. They kind of chatted a little bit, and sat together laughing in the cart. I was very impressed to see my little guy playing with another little dude like a big boy. It also made me realize once and for all that Henry is a toddler, not a baby now (a thought that depresses his mother sometimes).

Henry did have a few, turning red, throwing toys temper tantrums, but those were rare and definitely did not overshadow the fun evening the kids had together. I have included in the blog some pictures here of Henry and Ben playing together like big boys!