[jalapeno]

Every child is so different. Sometimes it just takes a little longer to develop that intense parent/child bond. That's how human relationships are. I was very ooey gooey gaga over my first foster child (my first real experience with a baby). I was very protective of him. I couldn't stand hearing him cry. I signed him up for all the fun baby classes too. And I really felt sorry for my daughter when she came along because I thought she would have to live in his shadow. Well, we were ultimately unable to adopt him. But I can't imagine my daughter in anyone's shadow now. It just took me a few months to really develop that connection with her. We adopted prior to having our bio child. I think I bonded with our bio pretty quickly but I didn't do the ooey gooey thing with him. No doubt everything plays a part in the establishment of that bond - the experience of the parent, whether or not there are other children to care for, whether or not there is a TPR looming, the temperament and health of the baby, etc.