I'm going to Africa in a few weeks to see Flynn and I'm a little nervous. The last time I saw him he was only two months old and he probably won't remember that I was the one who found his favorite orange pacifer when everyone else was trying to get him to make do with the green one.
Since them, he's only seen me on Skype and in pictures in a photo book. He seems to like me okay and smiles at me across cyberspace every time we Skype. He even crawls up close to the monitor to see me and babbles a bit. All fine signs. Except that I'm a little afraid that the person he knows and likes is "Flat Grandma"--that one dimensional person he sees on the monitor. When I show up--a full sized, three dimensional person--I'm worried he won't recognize me at all.
It's not my only concern though. I also have a concern about Flynn himself. He has no siblings and so far no little playmates his own size. What he does have are two parents and a nanny--who all tower over him--and an overfed beagle that barks loudly, has fun squeaky toys, likes biscuits, and is very close to the size of one almost eight month old little boy.
Therein lies the problem, because Alex is convinced that Flynn is patterning his behavior after Abbey the dog. She has some evidence.
Although Flynn once liked nothing better than standing and attempting to walk, he's now lost nearly all interest in standing upright and prefers to crawl on all fours, often straight to Abby's food bowls. They both like to lick things and neither show a bit of sense about what they put in their mouths. Flynn doesn't say mama or dada or any other words, but he's perfected a pant, has a babble that sounds suspiciously like a bark and a howl that rivals a beagle's. He likes the same squeaky toys that Abby does, and they both like the same biscuits, especially if they're found on the floor or placed directly into their mouths by Mom. Both of them are often seen with their tongues hanging out waiting for a biscuit or for no reason at all, and Flynn uses his mouth, instead of his hands, for all sorts of things like climbing, guiding his walker, and carrying his toys. They like to follow each other around, love their walks, but both are prone to find trouble if not kept on a short leash. And neither seems much interested in training.
It all sounds pretty cute to me, but it does cause a little concern. Mainly because I can't decide if this non-flat, three dimensional grandma is more likely to gain Flynn's favor by showing up with a suitcase filled with toys or dog biscuits. I think I'll pack both.
