Since HBomb was born, Jen and I have wanted to hear him laugh. Not ‘cause we wanted to make sure it wasn’t a train-wreck type laugh, no that really wasn’t a worry. It’s just because… well… it’s a laugh. One of the biggest things that sets us apart from all other species, as far as I’m concerned.
And if you’ve been keeping track at home, you know that we heard him laugh last Saturday (April 30th) but since haven’t been able to hear audible gold. We tried everything, and could get him almost there… then he’d start crying. For a few weeks we thought he had crying and laughing as the same thing… maybe it still held true.
But today Jen was really stressed out at work. So I was on a mission. I was going to get HBomb to laugh. I tried tossing him in the air (mom, I really didn’t toss him in the air, I’m just telling my readers that, so…oh.. think that, ok?) which brings a smile to his face even if he’s been crying. Nothing. Then I tried tickling the ribs, the feet, under the arms. He reacted, but not by laughing.
Then I remembered the one place I was most ticklish as a kid. My neck. I remember trying to tickle my dad’s neck — he always told us he wasn’t ticklish — because I thought that would be his breaking point. Turns out that kids aren’t very good tickler, since my dad is ticklish, and so am I, but no kids has been able to get me to laugh about it.
Well, my neck tickling worked. It was H’s breaking point. So I called Jen and gave him a whirl. The classic baby full-out chuckle! Hooray. Did it brighten Jen’s day? Read the post title again.
Lisa Williams says:
May 3rd, 2005 at 11:54 pm
H-Bomb might be old enough to think gentle surprise is funny. Peekaboo usually starts to be major entertainment around 5 months or so. Stays good for a long time, too.
Learning The Lessons of Nixon » Baby Belly Laughs says:
May 4th, 2005 at 12:00 am
[…] earing admin @ 12:00 am
Eric’s been working hard on a very important task: getting his four month old to laugh: Since HBomb was born, Jen and I have wanted […]
Lisa Williams says:
May 4th, 2005 at 12:01 am
Oh, yeah! Baby giggling video: http://www.cadence90.com/wp/?p=3789
Baby Matthew says:
May 4th, 2005 at 7:37 am
My Mummy just worked out how to make me laugh too. You can see a video of me laughing on my website. I’m Matthew by the way, and I’m nearly 4 months old. I love reading about Hayes as he is nearly the same age as me!
Nabeel says:
May 4th, 2005 at 10:00 am
Another suggestion.. if the neck tickling works, try “blowing farts” (ie lips, air, vibration) very lightly right below his ear. Kaden isn’t old enough for laughing just yet, but it can get a good smile out of him from time to time.
mrscrumley says:
May 4th, 2005 at 11:02 am
since other people put links up to their babies laughing, I have to give ours as well… http://www.crumley.org/videos/fuller_videos_2005.htm
Hearing your baby laugh is great medicine. It melts my heart when I come home from a stressful day and Fuller sees me and giggles.
We will be in Boston next week for a conference I have to attend. I look forward to having Fuller experience your fair city.
MetroDad says:
May 4th, 2005 at 1:00 pm
For guaranteed good times and children’s laughter, try blowing big sloppy rasberries on them. Always has my little Peanut in hysterics.
Lisa Williams says:
May 6th, 2005 at 12:41 am
Oh, man, it’s the Baby Laugh Film Festival!
I heart the Internet.
The raspberries on skin thing — in my house we call them Fish Kisses.