Belly Laughing

Morgan (7 1/2 months old) and Daddy in London




Hattie and Mommy out for a walk


There really isn't much better than hearing your baby belly laugh. I don't think it was the very first time that Morgan had a belly laughing attack, but there is one time that sticks out in my memory of her as an infant. Chad and I were planning our trip to London with Morgan and we needed a heavy duty backpack carrier for Morgan. We were in REI trying out different styles with her and she was having so much fun. We found the right one and she knew it. I was testing it out in the store with her in the back and she was laughing SO hard. I guess it was fun for her to be on Mommy's back bouncing up and down. By the end Chad, Morgan and I were all laughing so hard we were crying. Morgan loved that backpack and had a blast riding in it all around London. If she was ever starting to get fussy all we had to do was bounce up and down...and the laughter began. We even had a little mirror that we could hold up so we could see her face...it was precious.



Hattie and I had a similar moment the other day. We had all been stuck in the house all day and Hattie and I decided to take Boomer on a walk around the block. I put her in the baby biorn and the three of us were off. It was a windy day so I was a little worried how Hattie would do. But, within a few feet of our driveway Hattie had started laughing. I am not sure if it was her enjoying watching Boomer (who makes her smile just by walking in the room), the wind on her face, or the bouncing up and down as we walked down the street...but, something started the laughing attack. She was giggling so hard....snorting at times...it was contagious. I was laughing so hard with her...the two of us were a sight to see I am sure. Tears were running down my face I was having so much fun. The only down fall was that she was facing out so I couldn't see her face. But, I could feel her body giggling. It was almost like that game you play when you are a kid where you lay your head on each other's tummy. The first person laughs and the chain reaction begins. As each person begins a new laugh...everyone else joins in. Before you know it the room is full of laughter.



Those two moments with my girls laughing so hard to tears will be embedded in my memory forever. I love those moments. I hope there are many more to come. I know that in hard times I can think back to the way I felt in those situations and an immediate sense of joy will overcome me. I am so thankful for that.