Buddy’s top 5

Our “chill child” is warming up.

The once calm kid is now getting easily frustrated; the good sleeper is growing restless at night.  I don’t know what changed, but it’s quite tiring.  On the plus side, it has brought out some new and creative ways to entertain him when he gets fussy during the day.

Last night, Buddy was acting hungry and grouchy, so I found myself singing to him.  I wasn’t singing lullabies or kids songs; I don’t know any of those.  So, I just went with what I knew, and the first song to come out of my mouth was “Shake your groove thing.”  I don’t know why that song came to mind; maybe it was the way I was moving his arms and legs.

Anyway, when I realized that I didn’t know any other words to that song, I shifted gears and broke into new songs; low and behold, it was working!  He started smiling, shaking his legs and arms on his own, and appearing much happier.  Going with that cue, I turned on the Comcast 80’s channel and started to sing to anything that came on.

This morning, after a painfully long night of very little sleep for all of us, I pulled out the songs again.   Hopefully I’m not scarring his musical taste for life, but right now. . .it’s working.    In light of all this, I thought I’d share Buddy’s favorite dance tunes so far.  These are the songs that have made him smile and shake the most:

5) “Maniac”- Michael Sembello (yes, I moved his little feet a la “Flash dance.”  I think I laughed more that than he did!)

4) “Every little step I take” – Bobby Brown  (I was shocked, and a bit saddened, that I remembered these lyrics so well)

3) “Glory days” – Bruce  (his Great Uncle Scott, will be proud)

2) “Kiss” – Prince (He really perked up at this song!  I’m wondering if it was the groove. Or maybe the crazy falsetto that I had to sing!)

1)  “I will survive”  – Gloria Gaynor  (sung a capella by yours truly; he loved all the arm movements!)

While making Buddy dance, he learned all the key moves that anyone in a respectable night club should know:  the sprinkler, driving a car, and — of course — “making pizza!”

Not that I mind busting out the 70s and 80s tunes to entertain our son, but it’d be nice if he returned to his chill state and started sleeping 5 1/2 hours at night again.   I’m sure this stage will pass.  I guess I’ve just got to have faith – faith – faith.