Stranger anxiety?

Last week we drove home from the youth pastor gathering with two yp's with us - Rick and Brian. Brian and I were in the back seat with Cora in her car seat between us. Cora stared at Brian for almost two hours straight, studying his face (maybe she dozed off for a while). He tried everything to get her to smile or respond to him, but she just looked at him. I wondered Brian if he was starting to get uncomfortable with such an intent gaze focused on him for so long! Finally, after two hours she started smiling at him and interacting a little bit. I couldn't believe it took her so long!

There were also a couple instances during the gathering where she started to cry pretty seriously while someone else was holding her! Normally, Cora gets passed around and seems fine being held by anyone, but last week I really started to notice some hesitancy. I wondered if it was the beginning of "separation anxiety" but I thought (and hoped) it's a little too early for that. Then tonight I read this at http://www.americanbaby.com/ for 18 week old babies (I can't believe she's that old already!):
Social Development: Although it's still too early for full-blown stranger anxiety, you may notice that your little one is getting picky about his company. He recognizes and is developing a strong attachment to you and the people who regularly care for him, and is curious but more reserved around others. When he meets a stranger, he'll study the new face for a long time before favoring the visitor with a smile. Once he feels comfortable, however, he'll turn on the charm, showing off his new skills and babbling happily to his new friend.

That is exactly what I've started noticing in Cora! This little girl, who will babble up a storm at home, turns almost silent and incredibly observant when we go somewhere else. Another thing I'm starting to suspect is that she will smile more quickly for women than for men. I'll keep watching and see if it's true. She smiles up a storm for Brad, of course. She loves her daddy!

It is so fascinating watching Cora grow, learn and develop new skills. Within the last week or two she's really started to hold up her head for long periods of time when on her tummy and grabbing whatever object she can get her fingers around and bring it straight to her mouth. We really have to be careful about what we leave near her, now. Another skill is rolling - she hasn't rolled from her belly to her back for a long time, but she's started to roll to her side (usually the left) when she's on her back. Today she had her whole body rolled to her tummy except for her shoulders - one arm was stuck in the way. What an amazing kid!

Here's a link to more photos...They are basically a photo-flip book. If you could go through the all the pictures really quickly it would look like Cora was moving. Enjoy! (To see larger versions of the pictures just click on one and go through them like a slide show.) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20129&l=1c6b1&id=592975435