Laughter

They say laughter is the best kind of medicine and I have to admit – it’s pretty damn close.

I'm not really a romantic type of person and Valentine’s Day is usually seen as just another day.  But 14 February 2012 will forever be a special day for me.  I received the best present ever – Dexter’s first laugh! 

 

At nine months, it was such a sweet sound and came completely out of the blue.  Don’t try and make him laugh with funny sounds or toys – a waiting room will have him in a fit of chuckles!  No matter how hard we all tried, I didn’t hear it again for another two weeks.  This time, his dad was there to hear it and for some reason he found breastfeeding to be hilarious!  The third time it was a clock.  But the fourth time – raspberries blown on his leg – he gave one chuckle until he realised he was enjoying himself – and then silence!

But three weeks after his first laugh, he forgot for a minute to be serious.  He forgot that it’s ok for him to enjoy playing.  And he laughed and laughed and laughed.  And I haven’t heard it again!

 

But he smiles more and he is learning that it is ok to play.  He is cheeky and is already learning to play his aunts – freely giving one kisses but refusing to give the other one kisses. 

Make a fart noise and he will open his mouth in a huge grin and his eyes light up.  Cover his face in kisses and he will return the favour with slobber – be careful with open mouth kisses – he likes to slip his tongue in!  Perhaps the nightmares are fading – the trauma slowly subsiding.  Whatever the reason – I'm not going to complain!

Tomorrow he will be 10 months and we celebrate that with a trip back to RPA for his review.  This time we are mentally prepared.  We know that while he can’t sit unaided – he will try and can for 5 seconds.  We know that while he can’t crawl – he can now be on his tummy without falling asleep.  We know that while his head still flops when he is tired or feeling lazy – he can hold it up. 

We know that they will say he is delayed, we know that they will say he ‘should’ be doing so much more – but we know how far he has come and how hard he works.  We know a lot more now and we are proud of him, no matter what they say to us.