Reagan Displays Her Sense of Humor

The development of humor in children is a curious thing. It has been very fun to watch this part of Reagan emerge. Reagan has clearly passed from laughing because someone else was laughing and rather laugh because she thinks something is funny.

But what is funny to a toddler? At their earliest stages they find humor in us making silly faces or doing something out of the ordinary. And they show their humor by repeating the faces back. Later, as they begin to understand objects and their use of them, they get enjoyment out of objects being used for an unintended purpose. For example, Reagan knows socks and knows that socks go on her feet. But she thinks it is hysterical to put the socks on her hands instead and wear them as gloves. Or she'll take a basket and wear it as a hat. This is all fun typical toddler behavior that gives me joy to watch and play along with her.

Yesterday, Reagan showed that she has an even more complex understanding of humor. She was able to create her own "bait and switch" scenario. As we were eating dinner, she got bored (naturally). She started saying, "boo boo, boo boo." Meaning I'm hurt, give me a kiss where it hurts. Bill said, "Where's your boo boo?" Reagan thought a minute and started looking up and down her arms and hands for the boo boo. She finally decided on a random spot on her hand and put it forward to be kissed. But as Bill leaned forward to kiss her hand, she quickly reached out and instead honked his nose and then giggled her fanny off. She then proceeded to play her little "trick" a few more times and Bill of course willingly obliged.

It's a small little comedy routine that understandably, probably only seems impressive to her mother. But to me it just shows how much she is really learning and applying what she learns. She's played jokes before, but they've been imitations of what people have played on her. For example she'll hold out her hand for you to "give her five" and quickly pull it away so that you miss her hand. But she's seen that done before and knows it is funny. What she did yesterday was entirely her own thinking.

I wonder what is next for our budding comedian. Hopefully she won't start with the "stuffing things in the toilet is funny" humor. I'd be ok if we skip that phase all together.

Nature or Nurture?

If you are still wondering the age old debate of nature vs. nurture. I can answer the question for you. Just look at my two children. It's amazing how quickly you can see personalities emerging in babies. Reagan and Bailey are already proving to be as different as night and day, despite being raised in the same way.

Reagan has been determined, headstrong, and in a hurry to meet every milestone way too early since the day she was born. I love her dearly, but she has been one of the highest maintenance babies I've ever seen. She is always wanting to be entertained and always wants to learn new things. She is in to everything, sees the word "no" as a general guidline, is an expert problem solver, and loves to take apart things to see how they work (or used to work before her disassembly job). Here is Reagan at just two months old:

Quite frankly, if it wasn't for digital photo dating, I wouldn't have believed this was Reagan at just two months. Look how strong she is on her legs and how steady with just a hand at her back to keep her from falling over. She looks like she's ready to walk to the camera and start taking pictures herself.

Now let's talk about Bailey. Bailey is one of the most laid back babies I've even seen. She's actually on two different medications for pretty bad acid reflux, but you wouldn't know it. She never cries and she's happy being the observer. Here is Bailey at the same age as Reagan was in the picture above:

Bailey looks like she is saying, "I'm good here. I'm just going to chill a while. Why don't you come back in a bit and give me a bottle. I'm busy people watching."

Bailey has no interest in standing or lifting her head at tummy time or reaching for a toy. She is a happy baby. She smiles all the time. She'll do things on her own time. Right now she's simply content with life. Frankly, I'm quite grateful to get Bailey the second time around. I'm not sure I could handle the work of two Reagans. I believe that Bailey will be a child that will actually respond to the word "no." I'm certain that as she gets older most of the trouble she will get into will be a direct result of Reagan putting her up to something.

I love both of my children with all my heart and love them in very different ways. I'm just continually in awe though over how much of their personality they are born with and am excited to see them develop in their own ways.

Nature or nurture? Definitely nature.