From Giggles To Laughter
Hello, everyone!
Xavier has entered an interesting transition. His smiles with a giggle have started to become smiles with laughter. His expression of elation has grown more complex, seemingly overnight. This development may be related to another trait he has consistently demonstrated this past week.
He has, quite noticeably, started mimicking us, his parents. I noticed this early in the week while he was sitting on my stomach. I bounded him up and down by panting heavily through an open mouth.
Xavier watched me closely (perhaps thinking I was being weird), then opened his mouth and breathed heavy. Coincidence? I had to test it. I repeated the "heavy panting tummy bounce" technique. Xavier giggled at going up and down. When I stopped, he opened his mouth and breathed heavy again. He did not suck air through his open mouth just once, but many times, just as I had done. Still, more data was necessary, so I repeated the experiment several more times, all with the same result. I was a little stunned, but more excited.
The day after, Xavier and I were laying on the bed and I was helping him play with a toy. I was laying on my side, he on his back. After a few minutes, Xavier rolled onto his side. Again, I had to test for coincidence (especially since the rolling onto his side at will is a new skill for him). I rolled him over onto his back and waited. He rolled to his side, and looked at me with a "pleased as punch" grin. He did this several times in a row.
He has demonstrated other mimicking actions he has seen Mom and Dad do. Wow, how scary (and cool!) is that? They grow up quickly!
His developing a more complex laugh, we think, is also a result of learning by observation. We catch him laughing (or trying to, he still can't get it right every time) when we laugh. When we change from laughter to a giggle, he transitions to a giggle with us.
Rebecca and I are now bringing him to the dinner table with us while we eat. He sits in his belly pillow and watches us. We are waiting for him to give us the signs he want to try out "solid" foods. Since he has started mimicking what he observes, he may be very close to tasting something other than formula!
Still one of his favorite toys, Xavier holds his web ball while contemplating something. Perhaps he watches the tiny leaves dropping from the tree outside.