Bubbles

Dear Wesley,

Have I ever told you that your laughter is contagious?  Once you start laughing, it's hopeless for me to try to keep a straight face. And when Zach and Daddy are around too, you're sure to get a whole symphony of laughter going.

My favorite thing about your laughter is that you laugh with a purpose.  You don't just laugh because you think something is funny.  You laugh because not only are you enjoying something immensely, but you want EVERYONE around you to enjoy it just as much as you do.  If we don't start laughing right away, you come over and stand right in front of our faces and keep laughing until we join in with you.  (You would be thrilled to know that I am laughing right now just thinking about your enthusiastic laugh!)

We recently figured out that one sure way to get you laughing is for Daddy to blow bubbles while you and Zach run around trying to pop them.  To say that you love bubbles is an understatement. They have been a therapy tool for months as we have used them to work on lots of things you weren't interested in working on otherwise.  (You probably have no idea that we've been working on getting you to say your "p" sound as we say "pop, pop, pop", or that popping bubbles is practice with using your pointer finger, or that we were all thrilled beyond belief last week when you made the connection that signing "more" can be used not only to request more food, but also to request more bubbles!)

Anyway, back to my story.  Daddy and I have never seen you and Zach have as much fun laughing as you did the first night that Daddy pulled out the bubbles.  If you were expecting more therapy when you saw the bottle come out, you were in for a surprise!  Instead Daddy blew bubbles EVERYWHERE while you and Zach chased them.  (Really, Zach chased them while you laughed at his antics and ran around in excited circles.)  In fact, I think you thought watching Zach dive around popping bubbles that were almost out of his reach was way funnier than popping the bubbles that Daddy blew right to you.

Soon chasing bubbles turned into chasing brothers.  You started chasing Zach around while he squealed with laughter, enjoying watching you run after him while staying just out of your reach. You two laughed and laughed while you ran in circles around Daddy's lounge chair in the family room.  Eventually Zach let you catch him, and I think you thought that was the funniest thing EVER!  Zach fell to the floor and yelled, "Wesley, tackle!".  Then you ran over to him, looked at him and just cracked up, and reached out your arm to gently nudge him.  Zach threw himself exaggeratedly to the floor as you fell on top of him, squealing with delight.  You two kept chasing and wrestling until you eventually wore your big brother out.  You know, he can't run around 24-7 without getting tired the way you can.

Daddy and I even caught you standing up BY YOURSELF in the middle of the floor to chase Zach again rather than crawling over to the couch to pull yourself up.  And even better, you were so cute that I decided to take a video of you.  Amazingly, it was during this video that you decided to say "bubble" for the first time!  Daddy and I couldn't believe it!  We were so proud of you!

Wesley, you are such a delight and a blessing!  You bring so much laughter and joy into our home.  I love you so much, and I know your Daddy and big brother do too!

Love,
Mama