Daddy Powers?

Putting the kids to sleep is a task best left to the pros. In this case, the pro is Kate... My strengths are mostly making pillow forts, spontaneous dance parties and making the kids laugh.

One night, I had the kids to myself and had the task to put them to sleep. I planned ahead. I made sure that I got them extra tired that day. I think we played a game of "see how many times you can run around daddy in a minute", then try to beat it. Top-notch parenting.

Naiya was a breeze, she was so tired after an afternoon at the park she passed out almost immediately. At the time, Cal wasn't walking yet, so getting him tired was a little tougher... He wanted to keep playing. I tried to put him in bed but he refused. He stood in his crib and yelled for me. I was there pretty quick because I didn't want him to wake Naiya up.

At this point I thought WWKD (what would kate do?). Snuggling! ok, I can do this!

I grab Cal and his favorite blanket. Got him all wrapped up and start to snuggle him... At first he is all smiles and thinks we are going to play some new game, then it slowly dawns on him.

'Wait a minute... what are you doing? Are you trying to put me to sleep??'

For some reason, he just can't fathom the idea that I will put him to sleep, so he wiggles out of his blanket and tries to pry my glasses off my face. He succeeds. As my glasses hit the floor, he looks back at me for approval.

'that was a good throw!'

Determined I carry on rocking him and trying to calm him. He does not approve. He tries to wiggle out of my hold but I will not let him go. He keeps getting more and more agitated. He is starting to let out small squeals of disapproval. I begin to panic... WWKD?  WWKD???.

... SING!!

Sidenote: I am a terrible singer... If my nasally voice is any indication of my vocal capacity, you will get an idea of the range I have.

I start to sing "over the rainbow", like I have seen Kate do a million times. Cal stops moving... he's relaxing! Its working!! Cahlen slowly turns his head toward my voice and we make eye contact. He gives me a look that spells out "what are you doing to this song?", then he immediately starts to laugh... at first lightly then hysterical laugher! I stop singing... he's still laughing. As Cal's laugh continues on and on, it extinguishes any desire I ever had to sing ever again... I watch him slowly fade. He's laughing himself to sleep. slowly. and eventually he's out.

Mission accomplished I guess.