I'm sorry to say that Stephanie is just not that into you. Don't feel bad, it's her not you. And I have decided that it is a VERY good thing, and here is why...
Stephanie doesn't care about babies. I had NO idea how much children liked babies until I had you. I was honestly less popular at school the day I brought cupcakes than the days that I have brought you with me. The children surround the car seat and I can see their little hands just BURNING to touch you, but the teachers won't let them. One little girl has taken to following me around, even when I don't have you and saying, "I love your baby, I love your baby". About 3 kids in Stephanie's class don't seem to care that there is a baby there, and Stephanie is one of them. She doesn't touch you, kiss you or snuggle you. Not a huge surprise, as she doesn't really do those things to us either. Stephanie is also not into baby dolls or animals. Stuffed animals, especially Buzzy Bee, and we are talking about a very different story, as she will cuddle that bee and whisper things like, "You're my bestie forever, Buzzy Bee" and "I missed you so much, Buddy". But, since you and I are not a slightly tattered black and yellow pillow, we should forget it. She won't be snuggling us and whispering sweet nothings.
Since she doesn't tend towards wonderment of babies, I think she sees you for more of what you are...a responsibility, and, more importantly, a person. She talks about the future with you, even about sharing a room. She never gives me a hard time for taking care of your needs, even when she has to wait for something because of it. She once got upset when she thought Kevin was going to take you to work and told him, "No, we take care of the fuss monster" (which he had just called you). This was a few weeks before she started refusing to let us call you "mean" names, like Poop-monster or Stink-pot (suggesting instead to call you sweet flower pot). She looks in on you when you are in your crib for a while and then reports back to me. The words, "We have to leave, I need to feed your sister" have never been met with a single complaint, no matter what cool thing I am dragging her away from. She puts on her shoes (because you know that no matter where she was, she took them off) and goes along with us. Because taking care of you is a job, and an important one. No, you are not terribly interesting, but there is hope that you will be in the future, I think. And let's be honest, sweet baby Gwen, babyhood is short, the future is long, and you have a sister that takes being a sister seriously, even at the cost of some personal sacrifice... and that is way more important than wanting to touch your feet just because they are baby feet!
Love, Mom
P.S. Seriously, though, I don't actually understand how she isn't intrigued by those little feet, they are just so killer cute!
