Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Kissing practice makes perfect


"Mommy, Max is making the kissing noise!" Sabrina announced when I walked in from work the other day.

I wasn't totally sure what she was talking about, so she and Max did a demonstration. He leaned over and kissed her cheek with a big "smack!" Then they both cracked up.

Ah. That noise.  

Max's kissing m.o. has always been open mouth, plant on cheek. He doesn't close his lips because it's not an easy motion for his jaw to make. (Until, I had a kid with cerebral palsy I had no idea how many minute bodily functions your muscles are involved in, which is to say, a lot.) The open-mouth kisses are just part of who Max is, same as Sabrina's freckles and little giggle are part of who she is. I love them. 

But, wow: Closed-mouth kisses—well, semi-closed—complete with smacking noise. Another one of those milestones you'd never read about on BabyCenter or tell the pediatrician so he can check it off the chart:  

Me: "Dr. G., Max is making that kissing smacking sound!"
Dr. G.: "What did you say?"

Funny how I never realize Max isn't doing certain stuff until he does it.


None of us are sure how it started; Max just gave Sabrina a smack-y kiss. Sometimes, it takes him a while to get that smacking noise, and it seems like he is snacking on her. The fact that he is purposefully closing his mouth is a big deal. It will help him better articulate 'm' sounds and could be the start of "p." It could help him learn to drink through a straw, although he needs to get his breath control more coordinated. More controlled tongue movement (it's how he's making that sound) will come in handy for speech, feeding, drinking and, um, dating.

Max is loving this newfound skill. He is now chasing Sabrina around and trying to kiss her. She is (mostly) fine with this. As you can see, his charms prove irresistible.

Also: This is eminently better than him chasing her around and trying to pull her hair.

13 comments:

  1. That is adorable - adorable of Max, adorable of Sabrina.

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  2. I know the video's about Max, but if you focus on Sabrina's face, you see a shift from bemused eye-rolling tolerance to reluctant enjoyment to pure enjoyment to gleeful affection (perhaps with a slight bossy-sister touch of "OK Max, I'll show you how to do it right!"). What an uplifting little snippet of life you're showing us!

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    1. Oh, yes, that did not escape me! I think that pretty much sums up many of her sibling emotions. :)

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  3. I love so many things about this, but the best part of it is that Max has reached an amazing new milestone. I also love the show of affection to Sabrina and I can't wait to see him soon so I can be the recipient of one of his delicious kisses.

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    1. No worries, I am sure he will have one to spare for you. He, he.

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  4. I know a group of senior women who would love to have Max practice his kissing with them. These ladies at the local care center never get enough time with children.

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    1. You know, visiting a senior center might be a really nice way to get Max involved in some volunteer work. Thank you for that thought.

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  5. I had trouble with that too, until I got braces. My teeth were so buck that I couldn't put my lip around them.

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  6. I'm sure some nice girl (maybe she has a disability/special needs) will fall under his spell.

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    1. ...and maybe she doesn't. Whoever it is, I will not care, as long as he is happy.

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  7. Ellen....
    "Funny how I never realize Max isn't doing certain stuff until he does it.".... ;)
    --Raelyn

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  8. Pucker up! Love that sound as all those muscles and messages work together! Sabrina is looking like such a grown up young girl too xx indeed as long as they are happy, both our kids, all our kids xx bron

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  9. Your kids are so lovely! What a great video :-)

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Thanks for sharing!



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