I also was terrible about baby compliments, "What a beautiful baby you have!"
Me: ((beaming)) Yes I know, isn't he lovely!
DH: ((whispering)) You are SUPPosed to say, 'Your baby is beautiful too.'
Me: ((Wha....how dorky would that sound???))
Me: ((Aloud)) Your baby has such pretty hair. ((Does that sound too fake? I'd rather be quoting from the 74 baby books I read, because this small talk feels so awkward!))
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ah, Grinity, I love ya'! I *SO* identify!
Again, with baby compliments, I usually said a stilted, awkward "Thank you," or said "He does have pretty eyes, I think," like it was a semi-normal conversation, or I made some attempt at humor like "Thank you. I made him myself! After 23 hours of hard labor (kid #1)/9.5 months of nausea and vomiting (kid #2), I think I get to claim the credit!" (LOL!) But it's all so WEIRD!
And the "Yours is cute, too" just seems fake. You're so right!
