If it's wine, does it count?

[Elok]

Neither of my kids are very ticklish. Weird. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

I think at least part of it is psychological "priming," if that's the right word. He has to be in a good mood, and I believe a lot of what makes him laugh is the "mmmmUH!" sound effect with every rib kiss. You know, in that squeaky voice infants respond to. It gets him in a chuckly mood.

[Pekka]

We're up to a year now, in a couple of months a lot of that stuff really will magically improve and you start to get more and more feedback.

Once they can start talking, and moving around it really is great.

True

So far the best thing in life is to come home. My daughter runs to my lap and smiles and laughs and is genuinely happy to see me. That's something I can't put into words... it's amazing, it's the best feeling in the world.

[Pekka]

Well, to be honest, I drink maximum of 1 glass of wine in a day. It is on a rare occasion that I might go for 2, or half a bottle indeed.

Usually, I don't drink at all. And I never go excess, as in very drunk, anymore. I don't want to disturb my brain chemistry too much.

[Pekka]

Elok, you're absolutely right. It's often not what you do, it's the way you do it. And that you just do it. Then, repeat, repeat, repeat

[Elok]

Yes, repetition is key. Mine will relax in his car seat and stop crying, sometimes. But only if you sing one song:

What does the puppy say to me?
Say to me?
Say to me?
What does the puppy say to me?
Woof! Woof! Woof! Says he.

Repeat with the kitty, the horsey, and so on until all animals are exhausted, you've hurriedly asked "what does the oyster/giraffe/aardvark..." and found you didn't know the answer, and eventually you find yourself singing "what does the modem say to me? Eee-ee-ee-ee khhh-khhh baboinga-boinga khhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh says he." Then you either start the whole thing over or go insane. Or both. No, he will NOT accept "Wheels on the bus," "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," or any other song. It MUST be the animal noise song.

[MikeH]

It really does get easier. Honestly.