I mean, the baby probably just met his or her parents, so shoving more additional strange faces in front of their limited vision must be strange. For an extended period of time, their world revolves around mom and dad or mom and mom or dad and dad, so it's always a shock when someone else is thrown into the mix.

Now, "weird" doesn't necessarily mean bad, just different. I mean, I don't know about you, but my grandparents smell like aged perform mixed with corn and a dirt road (yes, they live on a farm and it's honestly one of my most favorite smells in the entire world). Still, for a new baby that's probably just used to smelling mom, it's going to be a shock to the ole nostrils.

I bet the baby knows they're supposed to know them, but obviously doesn't actually know them. They probably look like their parents in some small, older way, but they're still a stranger so they're not entirely sure if they should start crying or just go back to sleep.

Of course, it's understandable if the baby has a moment of panic and doesn't want to be held by anyone other than their mom. Don't take it persona, grandparents; it's not a reflection of you, but a reflection of the 40+ weeks baby has spent with mom, and nobody but mom.

Then again, the more the grandparents go on and on about how adorable the baby is and how perfect the baby is and how they're just in awe of the perfect adorableness of their newest (or first) grandchild, the baby is sure to come around. Who doesn't like to be complimented extensively?!

I will never forget the moment my mother met my son for the first time. The look on her face and the excitement in her voice and the way she cried tears of joy, was easily one of the best moments of my life. Sure, I was postpartum and hormonal and exhausted, but if I had such an emotional reaction to her meeting her grandkid for the first time, I can only imagine what my son was thinking. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if thought he was born into royalty, or something; my mother made him feel (or at least look) that important.

Between the compliments and the excitement, the baby will come around. Sure, it might take a while, but eventually they'll realize that the grandparents aren't strangers, but members of their extended family that are going to spoil the shit of them, and of course they're up for that.

I can only imagine that nothing is as wonderful as a grandmother or grandfather's signature baby sway. I mean, yes, moms have the gift and it is usually the key to getting any newborn to go to bed, but grandparents have been around the block and know a thing or two.

The sway will probably be quickly followed by sleep, because a grandparent's arms is a safe place where baby can relax and go back to dreaming whatever it is newborns dream. Damn, they really have it made, huh?

I have a feeling that babies already know that their grandparents are the people to go to if they really want something. I seriously think it's a natural instinct, a sixth sense, and they're all about exploiting this knowledge by way of adorable faces and sweet sentiments. They're smart, these babies.

I told you, they're smart. They know things. They're onto us, you guys.

At least, that's what I hope babies think. I hope they realize, as quickly as possible, that they're loved and cared for, and by people other than their immediate parent or parents. I hope they realize that they've been born into a wonderful, safe and nurturing environment, with multiple people that they can turn to and rely on and who will support them, regardless. That's honestly my wish for every kid, and I'm so very thankful that my kid gets to be one of the babies that knew, immediately, that they were loved.

Sorry grandparents, they can only handle being away from mom for so long. Let's face it, you don't have the boobs (or the bottle) that feed them.