Fear

So this morning I witnessed The Fear in River. Babies cry for a lot of reasons and it takes a while to figure out why they are crying until you become versed in your baby's particular cry dialect. I have pretty much become fluent in River speak and this morning Jude, River and I were playing in the living room. Jude was happily playing with his musical instrument set, I was enjoying a coffee and River was perched in his bumbo, eating a teddy bear and watching Jude play (one of River's favourite past-times). All of a sudden River burst out into his fearful cry. It was full out with complete lower lip extension and real tears. So strange...nothing seemed to be hurting him and it came out of the blue. Then I made the connection, River was afraid of this horrendous toy that Jude was shaking:

And here is a sample of the fear that River was experiencing while the rattle was gently making music:

Upon reflection, Jude had a similar reaction at the same age to a raccoon that was visiting our deck and peering in the window. That I understand raccoons have sharp teeth, claws, rifle through your garbage (more recently peel back our freshly laid sod) and look weaselly. But a bumble bee rattle? I don't get it.