You're not going to believe this, but Layla, Easton, and Kendra are all asleep and it's 10:00 PM!!! There hasn't been an eye close or drool on a pillow before midnight in the Webb house for two months. I'm so happy I could almost smile if I weren't so tired. This is a long post, but I need your help, so read all the way through and don't just look at the pictures. :) I'll have to try a red eye reduction process in photoshop so they don't look so devious. If you can, imaging Layla playing the drums and Easton playing guitar. Fits well, doesn't it? I call this masterpiece... Air Band!
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The title of this post comes from a situation I encountered today where Easton was cradled in my arms after he finished a few ounces of the Human Growth Hormone I gave him (a.k.a. enfamil formula). That is NOT steroids! it's a protein shake... Anyway, as he lay there grunting and squirming around I really WANTED to sing or hum a lullaby and to start using it as a Pavlovian response (ya know, ring a bell and the dog salivates) so the twins will associate the same tune with sleepy time every night. One of the 94 books Kendra read in the past few months said that is a good idea, so why not try it? :)
IF you have an idea for a good one, please post it in a comment as I would LOVE to hear from you. The criteria for the sleepy time song are:
1. A common song that I may already know or can learn without having to take voice lessons
2. Can be sung or hummed in a low voice so as not to wake the neighbors or anyone else who is sleeping in the Webb house. (That rules out "Thriller", "Brick House", and all of James Brown).
3. Must be in English (No "Besame mucho", Nana)
4. Must have words (No "USC fight song", Opa Burgess)
5. Must be proven to have worked on you or sung by you in the past.
Here are a few that I thought of just now to get your creative juices flowing (yes, the pun in the names of these songs is intended):
- More than a feeling - Boston
- Winds of change - Scorpion
- In the air tonight - Phil Collins
- Dare you to move - Switchfoot
We'll see if this gets any traction based on your comments or if I'll be stuck with Elvis Presley... Here's what to do: post a comment with the song title, artist, and who sang it to you or who you sang it to.
OK, now on to the daily life journaling. This is work-day two for Kendra to be an official stay-at-home mom by herself. Well, sort of by herself... Our sweet next-door neighbor Marsha came over and spent most of the day helping and hanging out with Kendra and the twins. I am SO grateful she is able to do this and apparently every Tuesday she plans to come over and join in the fun. She loves babies and we have double the love at our house, so it's a great match. Kendra said they enjoyed each other's company and that Marsha is very good with babies (she probably knows a secret lullaby song).
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Layla and Easton are holding their heads up stronger and stronger each day. Apparently that's a crucial step in the right direction towards becoming active and mobile. They are starting to make more noises and stick out their tongues as they try to get the language thing going as well. Layla makes about 100 noises and Easton makes one. To each his or her own, right?
Below this line is what I already posted on Monday:
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Kendra made it through the day just fine and the twins behaved really well. Since we are both completely wiped out for long days at work (her at home and me at the office), i'll have to add more content here in the morning. However! I've been saving this picture for a couple of days to show you what happy, happy, hot rod we have on our hands here. I can't believe i caught him on camera with such a big grin. All i can say is: everyone says he looks just like me... Do I really look like THIS???
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Thank you for the comments and emails. we love to hear from you all in any form of communication! Sleep well everyone.
7 comments:
What a doll! I think he has a little of you both in that smile...can't wait to get to meet these two precious ones
Love Dee
Hi Bronson,
My monther used to sing me My Favorite Things by Maria. A great sleepy time song (also from The Sound of Music soundtrack). I even use it on Don sometimes, works like a charm ;)
Dee
Ok being the Disney girl that I am here are my ideas:
Stay Awake - From Mary Poppins when she is putting the kids to bed OR La La Lu - Lady and the Tramp, this is when the mother is singing the baby to sleep and lady comes in the room to see what is up. They are both really pretty to hum as well. You can find both on youtube so take a listen =)
Here are the lyrics to both:
-Stay Awake-
Stay awake, don't rest your head
Don't lie down upon your bed
While the moon drifts in the skies
Stay awake, don't close your eyes
Though the world is fast asleep
Though your pillow's soft and deep
You're not sleepy as you seem
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
-La La Lu-
La la lu, La la lu
Oh, my little star sweeper
I’ll sweep the stardust for you
La la lu, La la lu
Little soft fluffy sleeper
Here comes a pink cloud for you
La la lu, La la lu
Little wandering angel
Fold up your wings for tonight
La la lu, La la lu
And may love be your keeper
La la lu, La la lu, La la lu
Thanks Deanna and Ester! I think the sound of music one is high on the list since after reading your comment I remembered that my mom sang that around the house when I was growing up.
Ester, I think you should come over and give us a demo of that song... :)
this blogspot is the best things I've ever seen done to show what these cute ones are doing (and y'all too). I'm anxious to get to see you and talk to you both soon.
My song suggestion -- is the simple old "Lullaby" tune by Johannes Brahms:
Lullaby, and good night,
With pink roses bedight,
With lilies o'erspread,
Is my baby's sweet head.
Lay you down now, and rest,
May your slumber be blessed!
Lay you down now, and rest,
May thy slumber be blessed!
Lullaby, and good night,
You're your mother's delight,
Shining angels beside
My darling abide.
Soft and warm is your bed,
Close your eyes and rest your head.
Soft and warm is your bed,
Close your eyes and rest your head.
Sleepyhead, close your eyes.
Mother's right here beside you.
I'll protect you from harm,
You will wake in my arms.
Guardian angels are near,
So sleep on, with no fear.
Guardian angels are near,
So sleep on, with no fear.
Lullaby, and sleep tight.
Hush! My darling is sleeping,
On his sheets white as cream,
With his head full of dreams.
When the sky's bright with dawn,
He will wake in the morning.
When noontide warms the world,
He will frolic in the sun.
Kinda long...but we used it for ALL of our 3 kids, and it usually worked (except for jumpy Jennifer!). Her I had to put into her car seat (which weighed about 50 pounds itself), take it to the Toyota (at 11pm at night sometimes) and drive around Omaha until she fell asleep. She loved that good ol' car seat so much, she hated to be taken out. Sometimes (during the day), I'd just bring her back inside, and leave her in it. Anyway...you guys are doing great. I know the first week 'alone' is tough, but you'll get used to it. We had 3 -- not at ONCE like this though!
A friend, brother, and co-parent:
John Barta
Songs that my babies loved:
"Oh Be Careful Little Eyes, What You See"--This is a great one to whisper/sing into their ears. It also works well with a fussy baby if you have them on your shoulder and you pat their hiney to the rhythm. John sings "I love you Lord, and I lift my voice.." (old chorus)and it has a calming effect on a cranky baby. If you sing a song that gives wisdom or shares scripture with them you give them a triple blessing: a loving set of arms to hold them, a sweet memory of your voice in their ear, and God's promises in their hearts. Nitey nite!!
Bronson and Kendra,
This came to me while I was sleeping last night and so I wanted to write it down before I forgot.
To the tune of Brahms Lullaby:
(If you can't sing us call us on skype and Oma and I will sing it to you.
Easton and Layla's Lullaby
Close your eyes go to sleep little Easton and Layla,
Close your eyes go to sleep because Jesus loves you so,
He's your Lord and your friend,
Redeemer, Rewarder,
So close your eyes go to sleep,
because Jesus loves you so.
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