5 minutes of laughter

Someone recently asked me what I've enjoyed most about being a mom recently. After thinking a minute I answered 'playtime' and making the baby smile. Greg and I keep saying we had no idea we were so cool and exciting until Jude came along. Practically just walking into the room makes him light up and smile or babble at us. Or better yet, in the dark of his nursery, when we approach the crib he starts kicking and swinging his arms wildly. so you just hear this cute 'thump thump thump' in the dark.

Just this Sunday we had 5 minutes of baby laughter. I was holding Jude in the kitchen. Greg came in from cutting the grass (yes its october and our grass was still growing like crazy). For some reason Jude decided Greg was absolutely hilarious. He starting laughing and cackling at Greg, and he kept on going. After a few solid minutes of loud laughs, the poor baby was almost choking himself. Yet he kept on laughing. It wasn't like greg was making a silly face at first either. Apparently Jude just really enjoyed seeing him and seeing the reaction to happy sounds.

Greg & Jude

And that brings up another thing... the huge, huge difference in the way we parent. I think maybe its a gender difference and a personality difference. Greg is so much more willing to use the furniture, floor, rug, around him as a place for Jude to be.

Greg 'holds' Jude creatively

Tonight I came downstairs for our small group and Jude was sitting by himself in our arm chair...propped by a pillow. It is always an adventure to see where Dad will put him next or how he might hold him (upside down!) as mom looks on somewhat scandalized. But I also appreciate that Jude probably benefits from all the new experiences...and I know for sure he enjoys lots of love from both of us.